Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at the Warrick County Sheriff's Office. If your festivities include alcohol this holday season, please designate a driver that is not consuming alcohol. We do not want anyone's holiday to be spoiled by an arrest or a horrible crash.

Christmas Scams

Beware of holiday shopping scams that seem to be very popular this time of year. Scams like Santa's Helper, and others that use the names of of large retailers will ask you to cash a check or money order, deposit a small portion of the money into your bank account and wire the rest of the money to them in a foreign country. Then to make is seem like a you are helping someone out at the holidays, they ask you to visit a store and purchase gifts for someone that you know needs financial assistance.

In reality, you lost the money that you spent at the department store along with the money that you wired to them because the check or money order was a fraud.

When someone you do not know sends you a check or money order in the mail, you can bet that the money is not yours to keep.

If your gut instinct tells you that this is too good to be true, it is too good to be true. Enjoy the Christmas Season and give from your hearts.

Winter weather driving

Winter weather will be here before we know it. The first time that the roads get slick it seems that everyone is caught off guard. Make your preperations now and you will be one step ahead of everyone else. Make sure that you have an ice scraper in your vehicle. Check the weather before you go to bed at night, and if they are calling for bad weather make sure you get out of bed earlier to allow for cleaning off your vehicle and the additional time that it takes to make the drive to work. Let your vehicle run while you clean the windows, drive slower than normal to allow for slick roads, keep extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, allow extra time for stopping, and never use your cruise control on slick roads.

If you take a few precautions you can make it through the winter weather without having to visit the hospital or the body shop.

From all of us at the Warrick County Sheriff's Office, have a safe and happy holiday season!

Home burglaries and alarms

With the state of the economy being what it is, home burglaries are on the rise. This seems to occur every year prior to the holiday season. Burglers take things of value that they can turn into cash quickly. Small electronic devices, jewelry, handguns and other valuables that can be easily carried or put into a backpack. Several people have asked about the best types of alarm to put in at their residence. It is my opinion that an audible alarm that the neighbors can hear is the best type of alarm. Anything that draws attention to your home when it is being invaded will deter burglars. The alarm also needs to be tied to a telephone line, either with an alarm company or your personal cellphone to notify you of a problem.

Since it is the holiday season, a lot of people purchase gifts from internet sources. When you have them delivered to your home, make sure that they don't set on the porch any longer than necessary. Keep your mail and paper boxes cleaned out, and leave lights on inside the residence when you are gone. This gives the appearance that someone is home, even when you are not.

Find a neighbor that you can trust to keep an eye on your residence, moving a vehicle around in the driveway once in a while also gives the appearance that you are not away for an extended time period. Try to have your dwelling appear as normal as possible both when you are home and when you are away on vacation.

Daytime Burglaries

Daytime burglaries seem to be on the rise. Make sure to lock your house, detached buildings, and any vehicles left at home. If you are going to be away from your house for a few days, get a neighbor to keep an eye on things. It is a good idea to notify your local police department or Sheriff's Office and let them know to keep an eye on things while you are away. You may also give our dispatchers your contact information in case there is trouble. Don't invite trouble. Contact the Post Office and Newspaper and have them stop delivery until you return. There is no better sign of a vacant residence than mail and newspapers stacking up in the mailbox.

There has been at least one burglary in the north end of Warrick County, and a few in the south end. Possible vehicle description is a small white or silver colored Chrysler sedan with unknown occupants. If you spot someone suspicious, get as good of a description as possible of the persons and vehicles and call the police immediately. With the help of the citizens, we can put an end to this string of burglaries.

Criminal activity

Anytime you witness what you believe to be criminal activity, please call and report the activity to the police immediately. On Monday October 17th, there were people in Warrick County that witnessed what they believed to be several young men getting into cars and stealing items. One of the ladys didn't bother to call the Sheriff's Office until about an hour later when she realized that her vehicle was one of them that had been broken into and articles were stolen. We all need to look out for one another, don't stand by and watch a criminal commit crimes against your neighbor, you could very well be the next victim. Your Sheriff's Deputies are out there to protect you and your neighbors. If you witness a crime call the Sheriff's Office and report it so we can do our job. In this case the criminals were caught because another citizen called in when they chased away from their car, and a second person saw them hanging around the area and realized that they shouldn't be there. When good citizens get involved things get done.

Halloween Safety

With Halloween quickly approaching I thought I would pass along a few tips. When picking out your children's costumes, try to get light colored reflective material. Never let your children Trick or Treat without adult supevision, stay in neighborhoods that you are familiar with, and check the Registered Sex Offender list before you head out. Always error on the side of caution and follow your gut instinct. If something doesn't feel right stay away from it. From all of us at your Sheriff's Office have a Happy Halloween.

Labor Day weekend

This is the last three day weekend of the summer season. Everyone at the Sheriff's Office hopes that you enjoy the weekend but we wish you would do so safely. If you are consuming alcoholic beverages please do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle and drive. I will assure you that law enforcement officers will be out in great numbers and none of us want to work a vehicle crash or take you to jail for Driving while intoxicated.

Have a great Labor Day weekend.

Meth Labs

The Warrick County Deputies and the City Police Departments have been working hard together to seek out and arrest people that are manufacturing and dealing methamphetamine and other illegal drugs. We appreciate the help of the public and information that you provide to us can be kept confidential. If you suspect someone of manufacturing or dealing in illegal drugs please give us a call and we will follow up on the tip. Some times these investigations take time but we will get them eventually. You can call into the Sheriff's Office at any time and ask for an investigator, or you can simply call and give the information to one of the dispatchers if an investigator is not available. We are all working together to keep Warrick County safe for everyone that lives and works here.

National Night Out

National Night Out is coming up on August 2nd, 2011. This is a good time for the local communities to come out and visit with your law enforcement officers, and also discuss any problems that you are having in your area. It is also a good time to come out and meet your neighbors and develope a sense of community. There are four National Night Out celebrations in Warrick County this year. The one that the county is sponsoring is located in South Broadview Subdivision and is open to any residents of the county. This will be at the intersection of Jeffries and Nottingham. The streets will be closed to through traffic. Also the city of Boonville, and the towns of Elberfeld and Chandler are having celebrations. I hope that you take advantage of the free food and cool beverages and enjoy the evening spent with your neighbors.

Neighborhood Watch

All of us live in a neighborhood, rather it is in town, a subdivision, or in a rural area. We all depend on our neighbors for help from time to time. With vacation season upon us, we should all take advantage of the relationships that we have built in our neighborhoods. When leaving town for vacation, you should have at least one neighbor that you can depend on to keep an eye on things around your residence. Leave a key to your residence with someone that you trust in case of an emergency, and notify your Sheriff's Office or local police department that you are out of town, and also give them the contact information for the person that is keeping an eye on your residence. Let the police know that your neighbor may be checking on the house from time to time, and that they have a key to the house. You may also give them a description of the neighbors vehicle if necessary.

If you already have a Neighborhood Watch Association and meet regulary, you should know which of your neighbors that you can trust. If you do not have a Neighborhood Watch Group and would like to start one, you may contact Sergeant Todd Neff at the Warrick County Sheriff's Office and he can give you some tips on starting the group.

One thing that you do not want to do before going on vacation is to post details of your trip on Facebook and other networking websites. If you want to talk about your vacation wait until you return home.

If you would like to notify the Sheriff's Office that you are going to be out of town, and would like for deputies to keep an eye on your residence while you are gone, please call Warrick Dispatch 897-1200 and let them know that you are leaving town. Also give them contact information for emergency situations as well as the contact information for the person that will be checking on your residence while you are gone.

Have a good time and enjoy your vacation, you have earned it.

Summer safety tips

With summertime fast approaching, and children out of school you should probably know where the registered sex and violent offenders are located in your area. You can find the registry by visiting this website, or by visiting http://www.indianasheriffs.org/ . You may also sign up for free email alerts when a new offender registers in your area. Keep in mind that not all criminals are registered, and you should always know where your children are and who they are associating with. Check out their friends, and get to know their friend's parents before letting them visit or stay overnight. Your children and their wellbeing is your responsibility. Let's all make this a safe and happy summer.

Texting and driving against the law in Indiana

As of July 1st, 2011 it will be against the law in Indiana to type, transmit, or read text messages or e-mail while operating a motor vehicle. Police officers will be allowed to pull you over and issue a citation for this offense, and the fine could be as much as $500. Drivers using hand-held devices are four times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash. Distracted drivers accounted for 7,800 collisions in 2009 and cost Indiana tax payers $257 million dollars. Please drive safely, don't text and drive, and don't give my deputies a reason to pull you over and issue a citation. Let's do everything we can to keep Indiana's roadways as safe as possible.

Seatbelt Enforcement Blitz

Police agencies all across Indiana will be stepping up Seatbelt Enforcement Patrols on Rural Roads through the month of May. Seat belts not only save lives, but they save money. Vehicle crashes are the reason that insurance premiums increase. When a vehicle crash results in a fatality, it costs the insurance company more money and the costs are passed along to the consumer. Everyone in a vehicle needs to wear a seatbelt. Numerous lives are lost every year because a passenger or driver of a motor vehicle was not wearing their seatbelt when the crash occured. Buckle up, protect yourself and your family, and save a few dollars.

Thank you

I would like to say Thank you to all of the response that the Sheriff's Office and emergency responders received from the public during this mornings missing juvenile search. The young lady is home safe and sound thanks to a concerned citizen that was made aware of the search through the media. I realize that it is not pleasant when you are awakened in the morning by an automated telephone call from dispatch, however I feel that the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience. Thank you to all of the volunteers who came out and helped in the search. I do apologize to anyone that was unnecessarily inconvenienced.

Update On Missing Juvenile

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on 04/24/2011 Essence J. Rudd was located on the east side of Evansville and returned home to her parents. The Warrick County Sheriff's Office would like to thank everyone who helped in this endeavor.

Missing Juvenile

The Sheriff's Office is requesting your help in locating Essence J Rudd, a 9 year old female missing from 4822 Scenic Dr. Apt D Newburgh. Essence has been missing since around midnight on Sunday/Monday April 24/25 2011.  She is  9 years old, 5`0" tall and 80 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink and purple dress with a white collar and blue jean shorts under her dress She was also wearing black and pink tennis shoes. Essence was last seen in the Pine Meadow Apartment Complex. If you have any information on this missing child please call the Warrick County Sheriff's Office at (812) 897-1200.

Warm weather and child safety

It's spring time. This means that there will be children outside playing, bicycling, roller blading and having fun. Drivers need to keep in mind that children don't always follow safety rules regarding vehicular traffic. Small children will dart into traffic without thinking anything about it. Drivers need to always be mindful of small children, always scan ahead when driving in residential areas.

Parents you should remind your children of the safety rules before they go outside to play. Make sure they look both ways before crossing the street. If they are walking on a sidewalk or along the side of the street, they should walk toward the oncoming traffic so they have the opportunity to jump out of the way of an oncoming vehicle if need be. Don't set up basketball goals in the right of way. This encourages children to play in the street. If they are riding bicycles make sure that they ride with the flow of traffic and as far to the right side of the roadway as possible. Everyone should wear a helmet when riding their bicycles both off and on the road. Most head injuries are caused from low speed crashes when their head impacts the concrete or a hard surface. And when riding on the roadway bright colored clothing is a must.

Remind your children not to talk to strangers.

Always keep safety first and have a safe and enjoyable summer.

Motorcycles and Traffic Safety

With warmer weather upon us motorcycles are out in full force. Every driver should be vigilant and operate their vehicle with the safety of other motorists in mind. All drivers should obey the traffic laws, especially at intersections. When you are required to stop, make sure that you come to a complete stop and look both ways before proceeding through the intersection. Motorcycles are not as visible, however if you take the time to look both ways you will see them. Motorcycle riders and their passengers should wear bright colored clothing and use all safety equipment. If we all follow the law making safety the number one priority it will be a safe and fun summer.

Criminal mischief and thefts from vehicles

Spring is here and with that comes criminal mischief and theft from vehicle complaints. Nearly all of our thefts from vehicles come from victims who leave their vehicles parked in their driveway or on the street with the doors unlocked. If you must park your vehicle outside, please lock the doors, remove electronic items, handguns, and other items of value and park the vehicle in an area that is well lit and visible from your residence.

If you observe suspicious activity please call the Warrick County Sheriff's Office at 897-6180. Give as much information to the dispatchers as you can and we will attempt to follow up on the information as quickly as possible to eliminate and solve the problems.

Working together we can make Warrick County a better place to live and work.

Merit Deputy Hiring process

The Warrick County Sheriff's Office will be accepting applications for Merit Deputy starting March 1st, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. The applications may be picked up at the Sheriff's Office through March 31st, 2011 4:00 p.m., and must be completed and turned in to the Sheriff's Office by 4:00 p.m. on April 8th, 2011.

The applications may also be downloaded from the Warrick County Sheriff's Office website. Along with the application is a copy of the Job description, selection process and schedule of testing times.

Applicants should make sure they comply with all the instructions in the application packet. Failure to follow the instructions will result in your application being disqualified. Take note of the testing date that is listed in your packet to ensure that you have that date available on your calander.

As Sheriff I would like to Thank you for your interest in the Warrick County Sheriff's Office and wish you the best of luck with the hiring process.