Press Releases

The N.C. Department of Public Safety is partnering with the N.C. Department of Information Technology to combat the growing threat of cyberattacks. A new entity – housed in the State Bureau of Investigation’s N.C Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAAC) – will focus on promoting cyber awareness and information sharing and to provide actionable cyberintelligence to private and public sector partners and citizens.

Gaston Correctional Center minimum custody inmate Thomas Walker (#0421574), who was reported missing from the facility Thursday night, turned himself in to prison authorities Friday at 9:25 p.m. Walker was last seen near the facility at 11:21 p.m. on Thursday. Walker, 41, was serving a sentence for larceny over $1000 and was admitted to prison on August 12, 2014. He was scheduled for release this June. Walker has been moved to a higher custody facility and will face charges for his escape.

State correctional and local law enforcement officers are seeking Gaston Correctional Center minimum custody inmate Thomas Walker (#0421574), who was reported missing from the facility Thursday night. Walker was last seen near the facility at 11:21 p.m. Walker, 41, is a white male with a thin build who stands 5-foot-6 and weighs 126 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes originally from Gaston County. He was serving a sentence for larceny over $1000 and was admitted to prison on August 12, 2014. He was scheduled for release this June.

The Department of Public Safety today announced additional action steps taken to improve prison safety. The prison reform measures involve security policies and practices, training and hiring.

Much of North Carolina is feeling the effects of the latest winter storm, and North Carolinians should follow forecasts closely as snowfall spreads across the state, Governor Roy Cooper cautioned today. "Be prepared for heavy snow at times and stay off the roads if you can when conditions get bad in your area," Gov. Cooper said. "Even though the forecast tells us this storm will be short-lived, driving could remain hazardous tonight and tomorrow morning, especially on bridges and overpasses."

Governor Cooper is urging North Carolinians to pay close attention to the weather forecast today and tomorrow as low temperatures and the potential for a wintry mix of precipitation impact the state. “We don’t expect tremendous impacts from this latest cold front for most of our state but we also don’t want North Carolinians to be caught off guard," Gov. Cooper said. “Given the cold, wet and messy forecast, we want everyone to watch the weather closely and heed the directions of local officials.”

State leaders are urging local law enforcement and school districts to work closely together to ensure that all North Carolina schools are safe and offered state tools and resources to help. The Governor’s Crime Commission and the State Emergency Response Commission will apply their expertise to prioritize school safety, Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks announced today.

Governor Roy Cooper has declared March 4 – 10 Severe Weather Preparedness Week and urges North Carolinians to prepare and practice safety plans in case severe weather strikes. North Carolina is traditionally an active tornado and severe thunderstorm state and spring is peak season, although severe weather can occur at any time of year.

What:  Governor's Crime Commission Quarterly Meeting When: Thursday, March 8, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

RALEIGH - The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Craven Correctional Institution Administrator Larry Dail as the new Eastern Region director for Prisons. Dail, 64, who has spent 35 years with the state in Prisons, replaces Annie Harvey, who was promoted to the deputy director of Prisons on July 31, 2017. The Eastern Region consists of 12 prisons.