Press Releases

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new residential eviction moratorium that will offer protection from eviction for most renters in North Carolina. The moratorium, which will remain in effect through Oct. 3, 2021, applies in U.S.

Gov. Roy Cooper and his public safety team convened state leaders in education, public safety, public health and criminal justice today in Greensboro to learn about North Carolina's new five-year strategic plan for creating safer schools. The State Action Plan on School Safety, developed during the last two years, builds off preexisting school safety studies by the Governor’s Crime Commission, the Center for Safer Schools, the U.S. Secret Service and information gained through public forums and meetings with stakeholders.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that Casandra Skinner Hoekstra will serve as Interim Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS). “Casandra is a talented leader who has dedicated her career to keeping the people of North Carolina safe,” Governor Cooper said. “Her legal background and experience within the Department of Public Safety have prepared her to serve in this role, and I’m grateful she agreed to step up.”

The Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program has announced program changes to accept referrals of tenants from landlords and increase financial awards to North Carolina households that apply for pandemic-related rent and utility assistance. The new guidelines aim to help even more renters get back on their feet while also assisting landlords that have lost income due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

A collaborative discussion on the state’s school safety initiatives will take place in Greensboro next week, sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools.  

An offender participating in Extending the Limits of Confinement (ELC) who absconded from his approved residence in Avery County last month has been apprehended. Oscar Cook (#0085998) was serving active sentences for Habitual Felon, Larceny over $1,000 and Possession with the Intent to Sell Schedule II Controlled Substance.  He had a projected release date of July 2, 2021. He now faces escape charges.

Dr. Eric Barnes was surprised and honored when he was notified of his selection as the Juvenile Justice section’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. After all, he felt plenty of teachers were worthy of the honor not only at Lenoir Youth Development Center, but at every statewide facility that worked during a pandemic.

The Department of Public Safety will host hiring events on Friday, July 30, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the three state prisons in Raleigh: Central Prison, N.C. Correctional Institution for Women and Wake Correctional Center.

An offender participating in Extending the Limits of Confinement (ELC) who absconded from his approved residence in Nash County last month has been apprehended. Israel Jones (#1548258) was serving active sentences for Felony Breaking and Entering and Felony Larceny after Breaking and Entering. He had a projected release date of July 14, 2021. He now faces escape charges.

An offender participating in Extending the Limits of Confinement (ELC) who absconded from his approved residence in Durham County last month has been apprehended. Tavaris Edwards (#0701603) was serving active sentences for Habitual Felon and Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance.  He had a projected release date of July 27, 2021. He now faces escape charges.