The Ocean Isle Beach Police Department is firmly committed to setting the example for other communities when it comes to community policing. All of the officers have been sent to numerous community policing courses, which provide them with the training and background to be effective in community policing. During each officer's daily activities, he or she will have extensive contact with the business community as well as the citizens of Ocean Isle Beach. This contact helps to forge the necessary relationship between the community and the police department. The department, in close cooperation with the needs of the community, has implemented many programs that are considered a part of community policing. A list of these programs and a brief synopsis of each are listed below.

A Community Watch Program was initiated in the spring of 2000. Community Watch Programs involve the local citizens working directly with the police department. The process involves organizing the citizens so that they can aid the police in identifying possible violation of laws. The officer who is responsible for community watch is Detective Ken Bellamy. Unfortunately, due to low community participation, the Community Watch Program has been cancelled. The Police Department is in favor of a Community Watch and would be willing to assist the citizens of the beach if enough interest is shown. A special thank you to those citizens who did participate regularly in this program.

Each patrol officer is responsible for sponsoring several business within the community. The officer's job is to assist that business with any needs that may arise concerning law enforcement. For example, a business may want assistance in stopping shoplifting. The assigned officer would advise the business on how to best solve the problem. The officers responsible for the program are:

                                         Major Andy Gentile
                                         Detective Ken Bellamy


The patrol division has the responsibility of checking the security of each business within our jurisdiction daily. This activity serves two purposes. It is to deter possible break-ins/robberies and also to find crimes that have already occurred. This is taking a more proactive approach to stopping crime.

This program is relatively simple in its design. The police department will send a police officer to your residence/business to engrave all of your valuables. The serial numbers will be recorded, and stickers will be placed in your windows indicating that you are part of OPERATION ID. This tells potential criminals that everything of value inside has been clearly marked for identification and that the police department has recorded the serial numbers from each item. Again, this is a proactive approach to community policing.

The police department will send an officer to your business/residence to show you ways to increase your security. Doors and locks will be checked for their security, and the officer will give trained advice on how to solve your security needs. Remember, a burglar will only break into an easy target. Detective Ken Bellamy is mainly responsible for conducting security surveys.