Police Blotter 4/24/2012

The recovered property will be returned to the owner today.  The man arrested for the theft was charged with misdemeanor Breaking and Entry and Larceny.  During the arrest, he was found with a controlled substance, leading to an additional charge of possession of marijuana.

Sergeant Jason Daniels said the rest is up to the court: "Everybody's innocent until proven guilty."

Officers had a busy weekend.  On Friday, officers spotted "multiple visitors bouncing around in a golf cart," said Daniels.  All had been drinking. The driver was arrested and charged with DWI.

No signs of abuse were apparent when the department responded to a domestic call. The couple having a hard time seeing eye to eye was encouraged to separate for the night, which they did.

Visitors who walked out on a bill at a local restaurant were located and escorted back to the business.  Restaurant owners were satisfied to have the bill paid, and no charges were brought.

Last week there were many golf cart stops and verbal warnings.  While many drivers operate golf carts responsibly, lots of people are careless, said Daniels.

The department is sending a letter, in both English and Spanish, to local parents reminding them of the law.  The letter says:

"Due to severe head injuries and the dangers of riding on golf carts the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone of the current state and local laws for having children on a golf cart. 

"Children under 8 years of age or under 80 lbs must be in an approved child restraint.  A child under 40 lbs must be secured in an approved car seat.  A child over 40lbs must be secured with a lap belt unless a shoulder strap is present.  If a shoulder strap is present the child needs to be secured in a booster seat with this strap. 

"It is always our goal to issue warnings and not issue citations.  The Sheriff’s Office will be enforcing these types of violations with no more warnings.  If you have any questions please call Sergeant Jason Daniels at 252-542-0108."

The Sheriff's office has given numerous verbal warnings in the two years since golf carts became widely used on Ocracoke, and will now write citations for failure to properly secure children.  The violation carries about $200 worth of fees and fines and results in points added to your license.

Deputies had their hands full on Saturday night, said Daniels.  There was "a lot of intoxication" and officers made contact with more than one individual who needed to call it a night.  No arrests were made.

"We need support from locals. It's hard enough dealing with visitors," said Daniels. If you are out acting the fool and mouthing off to deputies, you could get arrested.  "In North Carolina, all you have to do is use profane language and blow a .08 and you can be locked up," he said.  "We're not trying to make an example of anyone, or discourage tourism by being too hard."

Officers have seen a number of children riding bikes, in bike seats, and strapped in infant carriers not wearing helmets.  NC law says children under 16 must wear a helmet when riding or on a bike.  The Variety Store sells bike helmets of all sizes, said Daniels.

Use a light on your bike at night for your own safety.  Officers see more lights every year, and continue to remind people to comply with this law.