Community Programs

Neighborhood Watch

Click here to read more about our Neighborhood Watch program.

Bike Patrol

In 1997 grant money was received by the Morehead Police Department to Purchase three Raleigh Police Bikes and all of the necessary safety equipment. Officers wishing to participate in Bike patrol were sent to the Department of Criminal Justice Training and there they received a rigorous 40-hour course covering proper police bike procedures and bike safety. In April of 1997 the department began it first bike patrol on the streets of Morehead. As new officers join this voluntary program they too must complete the 40-hour training program. Bike patrol has proven to be very effective and bike officers are often the first police officers on the scene of an incident especially during the crowded summer nighttime hours downtown. Bike officers are especially effective during festivals and other large outdoor gatherings in Morehead.

D.A.R.E.

The D.A.R.E. Program was first introduced to the Rowan County school system in 1987 by KSP Trooper Warren Meadows as part of a pilot program to help introduce school age children to the dangers of drugs and alcohol throughout Kentucky.

In 1988, Morehead Police Officer Richard Ingold picked up the program and taught it in the six elementary schools in Rowan County. In 1990, Officer Tressa Stamper taught the program until Sgt. Kennith Trent took it over in 1991. Sgt. Trent retired in 2000, and although he did come back to work for the police department, he now works the street as a patrol officer. Off. Kyle Callahan who recently came back to work for us, is now the new D.A.R.E. officer in the schools.

The program is now being taught in 5 elementary schools, where each year approximately 270 5th graders receive the core curriculum, and approximately 1,200 kindergarten through 4th graders receive the 4-5 week visitations. In 1993, a junior high program was implemented and today the program reaches 270 7th graders annually. Also, in '93 the Parent Program training was obtained and now every year 2 to 3 Parent Programs are held in our community.

Our program is a community one which is funded through various sources. The Police Department pays the officers' salary, the Rowan County School Board disburses some Title IV funds and the remainder comes from donations from businesses and organizations in the community. For example, at the end of the school year when all of the 5th grade students have graduated from the D.A.R.E. program, they are given t-shirts, hats and trophies for their efforts. These awards are donated by various businesses and organizations.

For the past 5 years, we have had a D.A.R.E. Day. This is where the University Cinema donates a free movie pass for students in return for a canned good. All of the 5th grade graduates are bussed to the theatre. After the movie is over, the students are paraded down Main Street to the City Park, where a large picnic is held. Food is also donated for this event and local law enforcement officers enjoy a day of fun and fellowship with the students.