POLICE DEPARTMENT

Mission Statement

The officers of the Ocean Isle Beach Police Department are dedicated to serving our community with the most current and professional standards in Law Enforcement today. We will strive to meet the needs and concerns of our citizens and community. We have placed strong emphasis in leadership, management and problem solving partnerships with our citizens through community policing.

Chief's Message

Sincerely,

Chief John W. Goodwin 
Ocean Isle Beach Police Department

Top of Page

Staff

Community Policing and Special Programs

Community Policing

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. 

Community Watch

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 Captain 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. 

Adopt A Business

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 officer responsible for the program is:  Captain 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. 

 

Low Speed Electric Vehicles (Golf Carts) 

By North Carolina law it is required for LSEV’s to be driven on public streets (no sidewalks), that all operators must possess a valid driver’s license, the vehicle must be registered with the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, have a valid license tag, vehicle inspection, and valid vehicle insurance. LSEV’s fall under the following Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. No. 500 (49 CFR 571.500 which states they must have the ability to travel between 20-25 mph, and be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers (VIN). If you are bringing a Low Speed Electric Vehicle (Golf Cart) from out of state your LSEV must be registered with your state of residence Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and must have a license tag (Hard tag just like your car) issued by your DMV, and have valid insurance. The Town of Ocean Isle Beach does not offer any type of temporary permit for the use of golf carts. All vehicles on the road must have state issued license tags. If you have any questions or concerns regarding LSEV’s, please feel free to contact the Ocean Isle Beach Police Department at 910-579-4221, Monday through Friday during the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Or you may email Lt Higgins.


    

Top of Page

Operation Identification

Operation Identification Prevents Theft

How Items Are Identified

How Items Are Marked

Property You Should Mark

Request an Officer Mark your property

Obtaining an Engraver

Additional Information

Top of Page

Community Service Tip from the Ocean Isle Beach Police Department

"ICE"

Paramedics will turn to a victim's cell phone for clues to that person's identity.  You can make their job much easier with a simple idea that they are trying to get everyone to adopt: " ICE "

" ICE " stands for In Case of Emergency.  If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under " ICE", with the name and phone number of the person that the emergency services should call on your behalf,  you can save them a lot of time and have your loved ones contacted quickly.

It only takes a few moments of your time to do.
Paramedics know what " ICE " means and they look for it immediately.
" ICE " your cell phone NOW!




Crime Prevention Tips


House Tips

1. Many burglars will spend no more than 60 seconds attempting to break into a home. Make sure every external door has sturdy, well-installed deadbolt locks.
2. Sliding glass doors offer easy access if not properly secured. You can secure them by installing commercially available locks or putting a broomstick or wooden dowel in the inside track to jam the door.
3. Never hide house keys under the door mat or a rock that is near your door. Most burglars know that trick. Instead give an extra key to a trusted neighbor.
4. When you move to a new house or apartment, have a competent locksmith rekey the locks.
5. All outside doors to your home should be metal or solid wood.
6. Install a peephole in all entry doors so you can see who is outside without opening the door.
7. Don't use door chains; they break easily and don't keep intruders out.
8. Prune back shrubbery and trees so that they don't obscure windows or doors.
9. Install outdoor floodlights or motion-sensor lights to eliminate any areas where someone might hide.
10. When you go out of town, give your house that " lived-in look " by putting a few of your light on timers. Also, stop your mail and newspaper delivery or have a trusted neighbor pick it up for you.
11. Don't leave anything, such as ladders or tools, lying around that can be used to break into your home.
12. If you are a female and you live alone, don't advertise it by putting " Miss Jane Doe " on your doorbell or mailbox. Just put the initial of your first name and your last name, " J. Doe. "
13. Mark all of your valuables with your license number. Engravers are available from the Ocean Isle Beach  Police Department on a loan-out basis.
14. Consider installing metal grills on windows, but make sure they are easily removed from the inside in case of fire or other emergency.
15. Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your home while you are away.
16. Write down and report to the police license numbers on vehicles used by suspicious persons in your neighborhood.
17. Join a Neighborhood Watch Group. If one doesn't exist, start one with the help of your local law enforcement agency.
18. The Ocean Isle Beach Police Department highly encourages home owners to have a home security systems installed.


Personal Safety

1. While driving, lock your doors and roll up your windows. Park in a well-lit area and keep all valuables out of sight and in the trunk.
2. While walking, avoid isolated areas. Walk confidently and with another person if possible. Don't carry a lot of cash and avoid wearing anything that would attract unwanted attention like furs or jewelry.
3. When answering the door, never let in a stranger for any reason.
4. Always ask service people for identification before letting them in your house. You may want to contact the company to verify their identity.
5. Never, ever pick up hitchhikers.
6. Beware of a stranger who approaches you with a " great " business opportunity. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
7. Never leave your keys in your car, for any reason.
8. Never leave your car doors unlocked.
9. If possible, choose a parking lot with an attendant.
10. Remove any identification from your personal key ring.
11. Be aware of your surroundings - know who's out there and what's going on.
12. Trust your instincts. If a situation or place makes your feel uncomfortable or uneasy, leave.

Phone Numbers

Emergency	911
Police Department	910-579-4221
Police Department Fax Line	910-575-3184
Email Police Department	john@oibgov.com
Animal Control	910-754-8204
Brunswick Community Hospital	910-754-8121
District Attorney's Office	910-253-8200
Department of Transportation	910-754-6527
Poison Control Center	800-848-6946

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Dogs on the Beach - No dogs shall be permitted on the beach strand between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the period of Memorial Day through Labor Day. This shall apply regardless of whether or not they are leashed.  No dogs are allowed any time in public accesses or public parking areas.  It shall be the responsibility of the owner, keeper or custodian of any dog that excretes any feces on public property (including the beach strand) or on private property without the consent of the owner or person in lawful possession of such private property to promptly remove any feces deposited by such animal and dispose of the feces in an appropriate trash receptacle.  Doggie Bag Dispensers are located at all of the beach access areas for your convenience.

Loud Music - The creation of any unreasonably loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise in the town is prohibited.  The following acts, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this section; but this enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive:  Blowing horns, Music, Use of any gong or siren, Amplified music advertisements, and Hours for construction activity.  Anyone violating this section shall be cited by the chief of police or one of his deputies. The offender shall pay a civil penalty of $25.00 into the office of the town clerk within 72 hours following the receipt of the citation. If this penalty is not paid, in accordance with G.S. 160A-175, violation of any provision of this section shall be a misdemeanor punishable upon conviction in accordance with Town's Ordinance Section 1-6.

Hours for construction activity  - No construction activity shall take place before the hours of 8:00 a.m. and after the hours of 8:00 p.m. Construction activity shall include, but is not limited to, the following activities; hammering, nail guns, sawing, sanding, pressure-washing, generators and air compressors for construction use, dump trucks and earth moving equipment, and any other noise producing construction related activity that is determined to be a nuisance.