Community Projects
| The Burke County Sheriff's Office has been active in a number of projects and programs that will assist them in the performance of their jobs, thereby making Burke County a safer and better place to live for its 85,000 citizens. These projects include: |
| RUOK? Program Received over $9,000.00 in contributions toward the purchase of a computer and software that calls senior shut-ins or disabled citizens of Burke County on a daily basis at their residence to check on their welfare. The program began in March 2000 and has been highly successful. At least three elderly citizens have been located injured at their residence when they failed to answer the phone, prompting help to be dispatched. |
Computer Workstations Received federal local law enforcement grants for $32,132 in 1999, $36,977 in 2000, and $47,663 in 2001. The 1999 grant was used to purchase 23 computer work stations at the Sheriff's Office and a full-service K-9. The 2000 grant was used to equip two new satellite offices and to purchase in-car video systems and mobile data terminals (MDT'S). Additional MDT's will be purchased with the 2001 grant. |
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| Community Watch Inactive community watch programs have been reactivated and many new programs have begun since December, 1998. |
SAVAN Received the Statewide Automated Victims Assistance and Notification computer system to interface our jail with the state network. |
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| Records System Grant The Sheriff's office used two grants totaling $64,250 to purchase eight computers and a new network Records management system that will interface with the Burke County Jail computer. This system will be used in the future with a computer operated dispatch (CAD) system. |
SRO and DSS
Investigators Received funding from the Burke County Schools to place six school resource officers in middle and high schools. Also received funds from the Department of Social Services to fund a full time sexual abuse detective, full time officer to serve child support papers, and a part time deputy to assist and help protect social workers. |
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| Mobile Data Terminals Received a $64,742.00 grant from the Governor's Crime Commission for the purchase of eight laptop computers that are mounted in marked patrol cars. These units are linked to DMV and DCI and will allow officers to check suspicious persons and vehicles on the spot. |
Bulletproof Vests Received federal grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance in 1999, 2000 and 2001 totaling $12,924, which paid one-half of the purchase price of bulletproof vests for deputies. Before the receipt of the 1999 grant, fifty-three officers either had no vest or vests that were outdated. Currently, every officer is sufficiently outfitted with a current bulletproof vest. |
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| Digital Camera Applied for and received a grant awarding a digital camera, accessories equipment and a year of free Internet service to be used for photographing sexual offenders and sending their photos to the N.C. Sex Offender Registry. |
Website and E-mail Created the website you are now viewing which is located at www.burkesheriff.org and established e-mail addresses for the divisions. The website will keep citizens informed as to programs, press releases, and up-to-date coverage of crime in Burke County. |
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| Most Wanted List Created a "Ten Most Wanted Fugitive List" for Burke County which has resulted in the capture of a number of persons with outstanding warrants. |
Litter Pickup
Program Assigning inmates to a litter pick-up program with the Waste Management Division. In May 2000, inmates began wearing black and white striped jumpsuits. |
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| Narcotics Task Force Re-established the Burke County Narcotics Task Force to work cooperatively with other agencies in war against drugs. |
Boat Patrol Purchased a Keywest boat with 175 HP engine and galvanized trailer to increase the patrol of Lake James and Lake Rhodhiss. |
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| AFIS The Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is currently installed at the Burke County Sheriff's Office. The AFIS machine is used to fingerprint potential daycare workers, teachers, etc. This instrument allows a much quicker identification of the person being fingerprinted over standard ink rolling. |
Explorer Scout Patrol Re-activated Burke County Sheriff's Office Explorer program that teaches teenagers about the procedures and everyday life of a law enforcement officer. A number of youth that have been involved in the Explorer program have entered into law enforcement careers. |
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| Honor Guard Established an Honor Guard Unit in 1999, which has been used for numerous events. Very high standards must be met to be a member of the unit. |
GHSP Equipment Grants Received several Governor's Highway Safety Program full reimbursement grants to purchase radar units and in-car camera systems. The radar traffic trailers are mainly used to help keep our school zones safe. |
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Traffic/Drug Interdiction Unit Received a Governor's Highway Safety Program Grant for up to $225,750 for three years for salaries and equipment for two officers. Two 2001 Camaros were purchased and equipped with in-car video systems and mobile data terminals. The grant is a collaborative effort between six counties including Burke, McDowell, Catawba, Davie, Rowan, and Iredell. |
Satellite Offices Established satellite offices in Rutherford College and Hildebran, which are manned by several officers during business hours in order to enhance the community policing concept. Each town provides the offices rent free. Also, a full time officer is assigned to the remote Jonas Ridge community in northwestern Burke County, due to the potentially long response time from Morganton. |
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| Bicycle Safety
Helmets Received a GHSP grant for $2,000 which will be used to purchase bicycle helmets in an attempt to reduce the excessive number of head injuries children receive each year across the nation. |
U.S. Forest Service The Sheriff's Office has received supplemental funding from the U.S. Forest Service to help pay for the equipment and salary of a deputy periodically patrolling our national forests, including the beautiful Linville Gorge area. |