On this episode of Guilford Sheriff 911, Sheriff BJ Barnes welcomes Tony Stoneking, Operations Manager for Balfour Beatty Construction.  Balfour Beatty is building the new Guilford County Jail in Greensboro, in a partnership with D.H. Griffin Construction.  The site is located at the corner of West Sycamore and South Edgeworth street.

• Despite wet winter, construction is on schedule.
• Excavation now underway, encountering some unsuitable soil.
• This requires over-excavating approximately 25 feet.
• The “unsuitable” soil is not contaminated, just not suitable for bearing weight.
• Unsuitable dirt being taken to the firing range, for larger and safer berm.
• Steel pilings are being placed 25-40 feet in the ground.
• Excavation is finding many unforeseen utilities underground, thus minor delay.
• Heating oil tanks from long-ago homes, abandoned sewer lines are found.
• Over course of this project, 3,000-5,000 local hires will be made.
• Traffic flow in and out of the present jail is a challenge.
• Next week: Concrete pouring begins.
• Scheduled completion date: Summer of 2012.

Next, “Standing Up, Fighting Back” produced by the office of NC Attorney General Roy Cooper, presents information on consumer fraud and ways to protect one’s resources from scam artists.

On this episode of Guilford Sheriff 911, Sheriff BJ Barnes welcomes Melvin (Skip) Alston to the show.  Mr. Alston is Chair of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and Co-Founder of Sit-In Movement, Inc.  On Monday, February 1, the long-awaited opening of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum will take place in the location of the former Woolworth’s store.  It’s the fiftieth anniversary of the sit-ins that, according to many, began the modern civil rights movement.

• Museum tells the story of four young men who staged a peaceful protest
• The technique of “sitting in silent protest” was adopted by other movements later.
• Annual banquet Jan 30 at Koury Convention Center is sold out at 2,200 people.
• Sunday’s ecumenical service at the coliseum: Rev. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, others
• Monday at 8:00 AM: Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Civil Rights Museum on Elm St.
• Representatives will be on hand from the White House, Congress, N.C. government.
• 5,000 to 6,000 are expected on Elm Street to witness the event.
• Over 200 news media are covering it: Ebony, USA Today, Wall St. Journal, NBC, BET.
• 200,000 people are expected to visit the museum in the next year.
• The museum has an annual budget of $1.7 million.

Next, “Standing Up, Fighting Back” produced by the office of NC Attorney General Roy Cooper, presents information on consumer fraud and ways to protect one’s resources from scam artists.

On this episode of Guilford Sheriff 911, Sheriff BJ Barnes welcomes Ed Anderson, of Safe Homes International, a Guilford County company.  Although there are many components to making a home burglar-resistant, about eighty per cent of home break-ins happen through doors.  Mr. Anderson has designed a product to make doors more secure.

• Often locked doors can be kicked in, given a few minutes and cover from neighbors.
• Dead bolt locks are strong, but often the door holds and the frame around it breaks.
• This product consists of a solid steel strip, between door and frame.
• Thirteen very long screws secure the steel to the 2 x 4s outside the door frame.
• Strikemaster II Pro is sold in local hardware stores.
• On the market for over twenty years, 23,000 have been sold.
• www.asafehome.net features video demonstrations.

Next is coverage of the recent Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard graduation.  The Sheriff’s Honor Guard consists of twenty members from both sworn and detention officer ranks.  Honor Guard performs at various public functions when requested, such as at Full Honors funeral

On this episode of Guilford Sheriff 911, Sheriff BJ Barnes begins the new season and year with guest Robin Lindner.  Robin Lindner may be familiar to most viewers since she is a former reporter with WXII TV 12.  The subject of the interview is the joint venture of the Sheriff’s Office and a Partnership for a Drug-Free NC.  A series of Public Service Announcements have been produced and they are being aired on local television and radio stations.

Archived episodes of Guilford Sheriff 911 can be viewed on demand, as well as the previous version of the show, Sheriff’s Beat, at our website.  Go to www.co.guilford.nc.us/blogs/sb/

�

Once again, Sheriff BJ Barnes and members of the Sheriff’s Office emphasize the need to be safe and sober while driving.  We begin with recent coverage of a tree-lighting ceremony in front of the Sheriff’s administrative headquarters in Greensboro.  “A Celebration of Life” honored the eighty-two Guilford County citizens who lost their lives through traffic-related accidents in 2008.  Eighty-two tree lights each represent a life lost and now memorialized.  The tree display can be seen through the end of 2009.  It stands to remind passing motorists to drive alcohol-and-drug-free, or use a designated driver.

Next is video coverage of the November 20 “Booze It & Lose It” checkpoint, held at East Market Street at Laurel Drive in Greensboro.  This behind-the-scenes look at a typical checkpoint is a real eye-opener for the average person.  While most drivers stopped at the checkpoint have a polite exchange with the officers and drive on, many are seen being tested for sobriety, eleven are charged with DWI, eight were found with illegal drugs, one was charged with a felony drug charge, and three persons were found with warrants outstanding and taken into custody.  Although the Governor’s Highway Safety Program designated the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office to be the coordinating agency for all ‘Booze It and Lose It’ checkpoints in Guilford County, we want to thank the other law enforcement agencies who work each checkpoint from 11:30 PM Friday to 3:00 AM. Saturday: N.C. A & T Police, UNCG Police, Greensboro Police Dept., High Point Police Dept., N.C. State Highway Patrol, and other agencies, depending on location of the particular checkpoint.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from the Sheriff’s Office, and please drive safely!

Archived episodes of Guilford Sheriff 911 can be viewed on demand, as well as the previous version of the show, Sheriff’s Beat, at our website.  Go to www.co.guilford.nc.us/blogs/sb/

On this episode of Guilford Sheriff 911 you will see the expanded coverage of the groundbreaking ceremony for the new jail. That event took place Monday November 9, at the corner of Edgeworth and Sycamore streets.  In the early 1990’s Sheriff Sticky Burch began making the case for a new jail.  By 1993, newly elected Sheriff BJ Barnes began a determined and prolonged effort to convince the public of the need for humane and safe housing for inmates and a safe environment for Detention Officers.  The bond won approval in a November 2008 vote, and the jail is expected to be finished around July 2012.  Hear from the following speakers at the event:

• Melvin (Skip) Allston, Chair, Guilford County Board of Commissioners
• Commissioner Paul Gibson, Jail Construction Committee
• Sheriff BJ Barnes

In a recurring segment designed to introduce Sheriff’s Office personnel to the public, this week we present Meet Your Detention Officer: Angelia Kimber.
Archived episodes of Guilford Sheriff 911 can be viewed on demand, as well as the previous version of the show, Sheriff’s Beat, at our website.  Go to www.co.guilford.nc.us/blogs/sb/

On this episode of Guilford Sheriff 911 Sheriff BJ Barnes welcomes Don Miller and Sam Todaro, VIPS (Volunteers In Police Service).  Don and Sam, both retired Special Forces in the Army, have recently joined the Sheriff’s new VIPS squad to assist as needed. 

• VIPS assists Sheriff’s Office to free up sworn personnel
• Resources include a VIPS marked vehicle and uniform.
• They will work community events, field work, even office help.
• Many have unique personal skills that will be very useful.
• An integral part of the team, VIPS members must be of good character.
• A background check is done, and members pass Citizens Academy course.
• Citizens Academy course is available to all, held twice yearly by Sheriff’s Office.

Next on this show is “Standing Up, Fighting Back,” on consumer fraud.  The series is produced by Attorney General Roy Cooper’s staff.

Archived episodes of Guilford Sheriff 911 can be viewed on demand, as well as the
previous version of the show, Sheriff’s Beat, at our website.  Go to www.co.guilford.nc.us/blogs/sb/ 

On this episode of Guilford Sheriff 911, Sheriff BJ Barnes welcomes Danny “Chocolate” Myers, of the RCR Racing Museum.  Chocolate, dubbed “the most popular crew member in the world of stock car racing” by Wikipedia.com, has been involved with racing his entire life.  In earlier times he worked as the Fueler (the Gas Man) for the number 3 GM Goodwrench Chevy, driven by Dale Earnhardt, Sr.  Today, he is a popular host of a show on Sirius Satellite Radio called “Tradin’ Paint.” Some topic s discussed include:

Chocolate’s favorite Dale Earnhardt story
Racing then and now: Was it really better?
Childress Racing and its challenges this year
Who’s the Bad Boy of racing now?
Selling popcorn in the racing stands with pal Richard Childress, as kids
Working with Richard now at the Richard Childress Racing Museum and winery.

Next, in a regular segment designed to introduce Sheriff’s Office personnel, we air “Meet Your Support Staff.”  Today we feature Barbara York, who works at the Sheriff’s Prison Farm.

This is followed by a feature on work at the Prison Farm to grow Poinsettias for public sale. These plants, so closely associated with Christmas, are in demand every year around the last week of November by people in Guilford County.  (Grown by inmates, all proceeds go to Guilford County.)  Few people realize the time and effort required to grow them, or the odd lighting strategy required for them to turn that beautiful red color.  In many ways, this holiday plant is a creature of darkness.

On this episode of Guilford Sheriff 911, Sheriff Barnes welcomes Steve Lowitz, of Smith & Wesson, and David Kiefer, of Lawmen’s.  Smith & Wesson and Lawmen’s made the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office an offer too good to refuse: A gun-for-gun trade.  New Smith & Wesson handguns for the aging Glock weapons now in use and in need of replacement.

 S & W has over 10,000 new generation military and police (M & P) weapons in N.C.
 Agencies using S & W include NC DOT, SHP, Raleigh PD, Durham PD.
 Interchangeable grips make the new M & P weapon a perfect fit for every hand.
 Better ergonomics mean better accuracy, better range scores, and less liability.
 State standard score for law enforcement is 70, GCSO requires 80 minimum.
 About 26 GCSO personnel will be trained as Armorers, to address minor problems.
 State of the art holster will prevent grabbing of weapon from the officer by others.
 Again, these new handguns and holsters will cost the taxpayer nothing.

Next, we feature a crime prevention focus, on keeping your home environment safe from breaking and entering.  Would a thief think your home as impregnable as you think it is? Here are some common weaknesses which a break-in artist might take advantage.

This is followed by Standing Up, Fighting Back, produced by Attorney General Roy Cooper and the North Carolina Department of Justice.  Learn from the victims of scam artists how to protect yourself and your resources from thieves.
 

Archived episodes of Guilford Sheriff 911 can be viewed on demand, as well as the previous version of the show, Sheriff’s Beat, at our website.  Go to www.co.guilford.nc.us/blogs/sb/ 

On this episode of Guilford Sheriff 911 Sheriff Barnes welcomes Joyce Setchfield, Chaplain of the High Point Jail Ministry, and Elaine Gamble, a volunteer in the ministry. Some of the
topics discussed during the interview include the following:

 Election of Sheriff Barnes brought change to recreational spaces in High Point Jail.
 Basketball courts became classrooms for inmate educational programs.
 175 volunteers participate in HP Jail ministry.
 There are inmate programs every weeknight, on four floors.
 A sampling include Bible study, worship service, AA, NA, others.
 Volunteers come from Winston-Salem and Greensboro, as well as High Point.
 Volunteers must fill out application and undergo screening.
 Upcoming golf tournament is main fundraiser for the ministry year.
 Tournament funds full time Chaplain’s salary and other expenses.
 This year’s tournament is October 3, at Holly Ridge in Archdale.
 www.highpointjailministry.org

Next, we feature “Meet Your Detention Officer,” a continuing segment on ‘Guilford Sheriff 911’ aimed at introducing Guilford County’s finest to the people they serve.  Tonight we feature Detention Officer Brian Smith, of the High Point Detention Facility.

This is followed by the official harvest of the downtown community garden, known as
“The Giving Garden.”  Planted in spring next to the Guilford County Courthouse by county employees, vegetables from the garden are harvested by Guilford County Commissioners and donated to area soup kitchens and ministries who feed the homeless.

Finishing this broadcast is a public service announcement about motorcycle safety, a
PSA on Amber Alert, and a PSA on Crimestoppers with Sheriff Barnes and Greensboro Police Chief Bellamy.

Archived episodes of Guilford Sheriff 911 can be viewed on demand, as well as the
previous version of the show, Sheriff’s Beat, at our website.  Go to www.co.guilford.nc.us/blogs/sb/

�