Episode 9: SMART Anniversary

Rosa Lee Crabtree: A Cold Case Reexamined In November 2005, the quiet community of Rougemont, North Carolina, was shattered by the homicide of Rosa Lee Crabtree, a 68-year-old widow devoted to her church and community. Ms Rosa Lee was found brutally murdered inside her ransacked home. Items, including electronics and jewelry, were stolen, yet despite initial leads, the investigation went cold. Now, just over two decades later, the Durham County Sheriff's Office is re-examining the case with fresh eyes, leveraging advanced forensic science and modern DNA tools to bridge the gap and finally bring closure to a family that refuses to let "Miss Rosa Lee" be forgotten. Anyone with information regarding the 2005 murder of Rosa Lee Crabtree is urged to contact the Durham County Sheriff's Office.  DCSO Investigations: 919-560-0880 [email protected] Durham Crimestoppers: 919-683-1200

Balancing the demands of law enforcement and mental health is important to the Sheriff’s Office, now led by our Wellness Coordinator, Lt. Anthony Sharp. In this segment, Sheriff Birkhead & Lt. Sharp discuss overall officer wellness, peer support programs, and other in-house initiatives to develop coping skills and achieve the proper work/life balance.

How can we better support and protect the seniors in our community? Sheriff Birkhead is joined by Tory Engram and Ro'Nyka Grizzle of Volunteers for America to shine a light on the PACE Program. Tune in to learn about the comprehensive medical and social services available and get essential insights on how to safeguard seniors from common scams and fraud.

The School Resource Officer (SRO) program at the Durham County Sheriff's Office places deputies on campus to serve as a resource for students, staff, and the school community. These aren't just security guards; they are specially trained deputies who work to build positive relationships with young people. A key part of their role is to act as a bridge between the school and the community. Our SROs collaborate with Durham Public Schools to keep students from entering the court system unnecessarily, often using referrals and other interventions instead of arrests. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety and security of everyone on campus. To prepare for this unique role, our SROs receive specialized training focused on working with young people. This includes de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, and mental health awareness, all designed to help them mentor and guide students effectively. On this episode, Sheriff Clarence Birkhead speaks with SRO Captain Andre Hinton about the great work DCSO's SROs do.   

In this edition of Star Talk, Sheriff Birkhead interviews local immigration attorney Allison Chan to discuss the roles, responsibilities, and boundaries between immigration law and law enforcement.

Durham County Sheriff's Office Public Relations and Communications Manager David Bowser and Senior Public Information Specialist AnnMarie Breen talk about the Public Information Office, upcoming fall events, and provide information on an uptick in recent phone scams impacting Durham residents. 

September's episode features the Sheriff's Office and Crisis Intervention Training. DCSO and or partner agencies throughout Durham County participate in the CIT Program. The training our deputies, detention officers, and communicators receive helps them to recognize mental health signs, and symptoms, as well as how to apply de-escalation techniques. The study covers homelessness, substance abuse, and other special populations such as veterans and those with developmental disabilities. Sheriff Birkhead speaks with DCSO's CIT Coordinator Lt. Antionette Page and Durham's CIT Manager Mr. Laylon Williams about the program and why it's an important part of DCSO's overall response strategy.

As we reach the 5th Anniversary of the Sheriff's Medication Assisted Restorative Treatment Program or SMART, Sheriff Birkhead talks about how the first detention center opioid treatment program in the State is helping detainees recover from addiction.   He is joined by the supervisor of the SMART Program Tammy Vaughn and community health worker Ronald Gary as they look back on the program's start and what's in store for the future.   

During Star Talk's episode 8, Sheriff Birkhead and Criminal Investigation Division Capt. Eric Carpenter discuss common scams and fraud that are occurring with increased frequency in Durham County and throughout the state. They also touch on other ways to protect yourself from crimes like property theft while at home and away.   If you need more information on scams and fraud you can visit the websites for the North Carolina Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission.  If you'd like someone from the Sheriff's Office to come and speak at your community organization about these issues or any others call us at 919-560-7474. 

This edition of the Durham County Sheriff's Office podcast "Star Talk" will discuss community engagement and how our office is connecting with Durham County residents. Sheriff Birkhead is joined by three members of the “Sheriff’s Community Advisory Board”; a voluntary organization created in 2019 to build trust between law enforcement and local neighborhoods.