The Orange County Sheriff’s Office closed its office access to the public this week, a temporary move to protect its workers’ and the public’s health amid rises in COVID-19 cases.
Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood signed a printed letter on the door of the office in Hillsborough, saying the measure is to protect the health of sheriff’s deputies, office staff and the community. The message was also shared on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page.
This limiting of the office’s public access is similar to methods the Orange County Sheriff took in March, when the COVID-19 pandemic began in North Carolina, to maintain public health.
According to the post, some of the typical Sheriff’s Office services will be available to community members. The medicine drop receptacle for the public will still be available in the outer lobby and the office’s parking lot is still available as a Safe Zone for in-person meetings about online purchases. The sheriff said the Civil Division will still serve court papers and attorney visitation for inmates at the Orange County Detention Center are still allowed.
The Sheriff’s Office’s finger printing service, however, will be suspended with this office closure. Blackwood cited the close personal contact needed to complete fingerprinting as the reasoning for its pause.
The message on the office’s door says normal operations will resume upon official health recommendations to do so.
Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Related Stories
‹

Orange County Sheriff's Office Charges Man for Self-Titled 'Biggest New Year's Eve Party'The Orange County Sheriff’s Office charged a Burlington resident for violating North Carolina gathering limits on New Year’s Eve, as he hosted an outdoor party to ring in the new year. A release from the sheriff’s office Friday said Jacob Alfred Kurtis Bethea, 30, will face charges of violating the state’s executive order by operating […]

Unapproved Music Festival in Orange County Leads to Gathering ViolationsThe Orange County Sheriff’s Office recently charged two people with violating the mass gathering rules established by state and local governments after an unsanctioned music festival was held in the county last weekend. A release from the sheriff’s office on Thursday said Orange Communications, which handles 911 calls, received several noise complaints on Saturday, October […]

Orange County Launches Video Series with Public Health Officials, Shares COVID UpdatesThe Orange County Health Department recently launched a video series to help answer community questions and topics as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Shared on the department’s YouTube page Friday, the video features Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart, Emergency Services Director Dinah Jeffries and the health department’s Finance Director Rebecca Crawford answering questions from Orange County […]

Orange County's Halloween Health Guidance Shares Alternatives to Traditional CelebrationUPDATE: This article has been updated with the news of Chapel Hill cancelling large town-sponsored and special events on Friday. Orange County health officials released their recommendations for the Halloween holiday on Thursday, encouraging people avoid typical traditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance from the county health department details which Halloween and fall-themed activities […]

Orange County Updates Mask Requirement to Mirror State's OrderNote: This story has been updated to reflect Orange County’s changes to its mask requirement that adopt the many of same regulations as issued by the latest executive order from the state. The Orange County government updated its existing mask requirement to align with the statewide requirement before it went into effect on Friday. Governor […]

Orange County Leaders Declare Requirement for Face CoveringsOrange County will now require most people in the county to wear a face covering when out of their homes. The county Board of Commissioners, in cooperation with the mayors of the county’s towns, announced a change to its state of emergency order on Wednesday morning. The addition to the order, which is slated to […]

Orange County Sheriff's Office: 1 Arrested, 1 At Large After Attempted BurglaryA Durham man is wanted by local law enforcement after an attempted break-in and burglary of an Orange County business, a high-speed chase and car crash during the early hours of Thursday, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. A release Thursday afternoon said the office took out six felony warrants against 24-year-old Erlin Lopez […]

Orange County Sheriff's Office Investigating Discovery of Human RemainsDeputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are investigating human remains found off Hawk Ridge Road Saturday afternoon. According to a release, a person walking a dog found the remains at approximately 2 p.m. near the road, which is located off Dodsons Crossroad west of Chapel Hill. Investigators and a medical examiner are working to […]

2,500-Person Party Leads to Numerous Calls, Charges for Orange County Property OwnerAn Orange County property owner is facing numerous charges after a party on his land attended by more than 2,500 people led to underage, intoxicated revelers wandering through traffic and numerous calls for assistance. Dwight B. Poole, 60, is charged with six counts of aiding and abetting people under the age of 21 to consume […]

Orange County Sheriff Blackwood Appointed to Chair of North Carolina Governor's Crime CommissionAfter serving on the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission for nearly eight years, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood will now have the chance to lead the group.
›
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines