Police Blotter 9/13/2012

Sheriff David Mason joined Daniels on patrol over Labor Day weekend, and Chief Deputy Guire Cahoon spent a few days on the island helping out while the Ocracoke department was short staffed, before hiring Jaren Mutro as a new deputy. 

"We're very excited to have her on," said Daniels.

Several DWI tickets were written over Labor Day, as well as charges of simple possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.  Charges of possession of spice, a synthetic marijuana, have also been written in early September, as well as a few more DWIs. 

On Wednesday, September 12, the Ocracoke Department assisted a probation and parole officer who was on the island.

Ocracoke officers continue to remind drivers to find appropriate parking spaces in order to keep the roadways clear for emergency vehicles and other cars. 

The presence of so many golf carts has tempted vacationers to drive four wheelers and ATVs on island streets.  These are not street legal, because they have motors larger than 49 cc's.  If a four wheeler is being driven on the road, "We're going to write a ticket," said Daniels. 

Scooters slower than 35 mph don't need to be licensed; those that can go faster are considered motorcycles, and do need tags. 

If you have any questions about whether a vehicle can be legally driven on a public roadway, just call the Sheriff's Office and ask.  "We'd rather prevent the ticket than write it," said Sergeant Daniels.

Most September nights are mellow by 10 or 11 p.m., and the crowd that enjoys watching football at a local Sports Pub has a good time within the confines of the law.

"Everything is quiet.  The weather is beautiful.  We see the same people year after year, and they're no trouble," Daniels said of the retirees and fishermen that arrive each fall.