March 2014
Page 7
SHERIFF’S 911 COLUMN: Driving Safely On Country Roads
New Sheriff’s Department District Captain Is Expert Marksman, Had Anti-Terrorism Role
By Sheriff B.J. Barnes, Special To The Star GUILFORD
COUNTY
Investigation to work on anti-terrorism projects overseas. “9/11 happened on a Tuesday and I was on a plane on Sunday,” he said. Since he spent his childhood in Palestine, Sansour says that his cultural knowledge, expertise about the Middle East, and his language skills were a unique set of abilities that was needed by the United States government. “My area expertise...and language was a big deal,” he said. Sansour would not elaborate on the work that he did, but said that it took him around the world to six out of the seven continents. In recent years, Sansour said he has tapered back his work in that regard.
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Wild animals, bicycles and school buses, oh my. We who live in the northwest part of the county are truly blessed. We have great country roads and great scenery on those roads, but therein lies the problem. These country roads also have wild animals who dart out of the woods which adjoin the roads and we have children who live along those roads which requires frequent school bus stops. We also have more than our share of bicycles out here as the riders take advantage of the open roads and the great scenery. All these things can lead to possible accidents waiting to happen. Wild animals are a concern. I know from experience that our officers have hit more deer then I would like to think about. We have tried everything, including the air whistles that we placed on the cars that are supposed to drive them away, but I’m not so sure they’re not a whistle that calls them instead. We have tried different lights, but nothing seems to work. My own father has hit or been hit by a couple of deer. Thank God for insurance and that he wasn’t hurt. The only way to avoid our animal friends is to be aware of where they might be and use caution. I know you probably laugh when you see a deer crossing sign thinking that deer can’t read, but the highway folks read the reports that say several deer have been hit in this area. So if you see a sign, the possibility of it happening again are good, so pay attention and slow down and be aware. School buses stop to pick up kids and let them off. By law that means you have to stop and if you don’t it could mean a danger to kids, a lot of insurance points, a possible loss of your driver’s license and heavy fines. If you see a school bus, go ahead and resign yourself to the fact you are in a for a little stop. Just chill out and tell yourself you will remember that this happens on this stretch of road, so next time you will know to leave a little earlier if this will cause you some time concerns. Please drive like those were your kids on that bus. Drive like those kids’ lives and your life depend on it, because it does. Bicycles sometimes race along the highway in groups of 5 or more. They take up the lane and they don’t go quite as fast as you do. Their multi-colored spandex may seem to taunt you and you may resent the fact they are slowing you down and maybe that they are getting the exercise you promised yourself you would start doing. Again, chill. Keep in mind they have just as much right to the road as you do. Most of the bikers I know don’t want to own the road, they just want to share it. Most bikers I know will form a single lane just as soon as they can safely do so, so you can pass. Share the road, drive safely and live to enjoy another day. If you don’t take anything else from this article, take this. If you can leave early by only ten minutes, you will leave the stress at home and arrive safe and sound. Be safe when driving. :: CONTACT US: The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office has the best men and women in law enforcement who are committed to protecting you and your family. If there is anything we can do to assist you please call our District One office at 641-2300. If it is an emergency of course call 911. Your District Captain is Capt. Yousef Sansour or if you need to reach me, Sheriff B.J. Barnes, I can be reached at 336-641-3694. ::
District One Goals
The District One office has a new captain who has led the SWAT team and has worked in anti-terrorism roles after the 9/11 attacks. File photo: The Star.
By R. Gregg, The Star SUMMERFIELD – A new captain is in charge of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department District One office, which includes the northwest Guilford area and towns of Stokesdale, Summerfield, Oak Ridge, and Colfax. Captain Yousef Sansour takes over as captain of the district after Phil Byrd retired earlier this year (see story in our last issue: stokesdalestar.com). Expert Pistol Shooter Captain Sansour has had an wide range of duties in his unique law enforcement career so far. One of the first things this reporter had heard about Sansour from other Sheriff’s deputies is that he is an excellent marksman and many in the department consider him one of the best pistol shooters in the Sheriff’s office. He is not only well-known locally for his shooting skills, but he has been ranked nationally in shooting competitions including the U.S. Practical Shooting Association, where he has achieved the level of Grand Master, the highest level possible. Captain Sansour uses a 1911 style .45 caliber pistol in the competitions, which he has modified to be “super accurate.” “I was always interested in shooting,” he said in a recent interview. “It’s a lot of fun...I got hooked on it.” In the national competitions, Sansour says shooters have to hit their targets in rapid fire conditions. “It’s a combination of speed and accuracy,” he said.
he teaches law enforcement professionals, civilians, and military personnel firearms training and tactical techniques. Captain Sansour’s skills as a shooter have gone hand in hand with his roles in the Sheriff’s Department. Before coming to District One, Sansour worked as a lieutenant in the Special Operations division which included major crimes investigations, the vice/narcotics squad, the canine units, the crime repression team, the DUI task force, and other units. “I’ve worked all over the county,” said Sansour. He also has served as the Commander of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team, which responds to dangerous situations including hostage events or when armed suspects are barricaded. “That was something that I always wanted to do,” said Sansour about working on the SWAT team. Childhood In Palestine
When asked if his new role as captain of District One might be a little less exciting than some of his previous positions in the department, Captain Sansour said that actually he relishes his new role as leader of the northwest district. “It’s a little more laid back, but if offers different challenges,” said Sansour. “You just have to adjust the pace.” Sansour said he is definitely looking forward to more interaction with the public as captain of District One. “I’m a hands-on kind of person,” he said. “I like to get involved and I like to get the community involved.” Captain Sansour said he looks forward to meeting people in the northwest Guilford area and plans to attend town council meetings in the area to introduce himself to the public. He said he hopes that citizens will see the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department as a partner in protecting their community. “Crime prevention is not just the responsibility of the Sheriff’s office,” he added. “I’d like to get the community to take ownership of it.” One of Sansour’s goals is to increase the number of deputies on the streets at any given time. “We cover a pretty large area for District One,” he said. “[Getting more patrol officers on duty] is the number one tool for preventing crime.” Sansour said he has enjoyed working as a police officer and he looks forward to this next chapter in the department. “I feel fortunate to be up here,” he said. “I’ve had an interesting career and I look forward to serving this community.” ::
Captain Sansour grew up in Palestine and came to the United States when he was in his late teens. The captain has family in America and after going to college, he decided to go into law enforcement. “A couple of friends of mine in college said there was a night time academy [for law enforcement],” said Sansour. After earning his BLET certificate, he worked as a police officer at East Carolina University before coming to Guilford County to work at the The annual Guilford County Sheriff’s Sheriff’s Department in 1998. Office Sniper Challenge is scheduled to take place on April 25th and April 26th. SWAT Team, Special Operations Anti-Terrorism Work Both law enforcement officers and members of the public can participate in His marksmanship has developed a After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Sansour different events. The event takes place reputation to the point that in his spare says that while working as a deputy he at the Sheriff’s range located at 3050 time, Sansour’s skills are in demand and also did work for the Federal Bureau of County Farm Road, Gibsonville, NC. ::
Sheriff’s Sniper Challenge April 25th