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.