Police Blotter 4/10/2012

The person was not a wild card invited to make a social gathering more interesting, but an "intruder in the wee hours," said Sergeant Daniels.  Officers arrived to investigate, but the uninvited visitor had already escaped into the darkness.

The down point residents told Daniels "'Oh, we never lock our doors,'" he said.  While faith in your neighbors is a time honored Ocracoke tradition, the Sheriff's department hopes residents will lock their doors, especially at night.

"We get tourists on middle road thinking they're on sunset," said Daniels.  It is not uncommon for visitors to enter the wrong home after a night on the town.  If you were to wake up startled and subsequently shoot an (otherwise) innocent but confused tourist, you will have to live with that decision, he said.  One more time, for the record, get in the habit of locking your doors before you go to bed for the night.

Officers responded to a disturbance at a Highway 12 restaurant and bar on Saturday.  After being asked to move on for the night, an Ocracoke resident instead took a swing at an employee, who chose to not press charges.  Violent, drunken behavior is an excellent way to get banned from certain establishments, it should be noted.

While the department would like to pursue charges, "without a victim there is no crime," said Daniels.  He recognizes that "There is a disincentive for victims to go to court," when cases can be strung out over time.  The department has responded to similar calls involving the alleged assailant 4 or 5 times over the past several years, and no charges have yet been brought.

Deputy Cole Boyd issued a ticket for an expired registration plate to a visitor.  Ocracoke officers typically offer a generous window for these violations, preferring to issue warnings.  The tags were so far out of date that Deputy Boyd had little choice but to insist the driver get with the system.

Driving without appropriate registration is a misdemeanor that is an arrestable offense, said Daniels.

Two Ocracoke officers received their Taser re-certifications last week.  Since the department began carrying tasers "four or five years ago," they have only twice used the devices. 

"We don't like using force," said Daniels. 

Tasers can deliver 50,000 volts of electricity from up to 30 feet away.  The jolt lasts for about 5 seconds.  In order to receive taser certification, you must first experience what you are preparing to deliver.  "It is not fun to get tased," said Daniels.