The Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a growing demand for service in 2025, while also expanding its role in community outreach and public safety programs, according to its annual report.

Calls for Service

Calls for service increased by 8% over the previous year, rising from 10,735 in 2024 to 11,556 in 2025.

The Sheriff’s Office, which manages dispatch for all emergency responders in the county, handled an average of about 20 calls per day. Of the total calls, 7,359 required a law enforcement response, while EMS responded to 2,343 calls, fire departments to 456, and Smith Point Sea Rescue to 34.

Despite the increase in calls, overall enforcement activity showed slight declines. The Sheriff’s Office reported 814 investigations in 2025, compared to 818 in 2024, and 252 arrests, down from 272 the previous year.

NCSO also has two roles in animal control, including law enforcement and sheltering animals, which is done in partnership with the nonprofit Friends of Northumberland County Animal Shelter, which operates the shelter.

Traffic Enforcement

Traffic enforcement, however, saw a notable increase. Deputies conducted 890 traffic stops in 2025, up from 689 in 2024. The report noted that the majority of those stops— 516—resulted in warnings rather than citations.

DUI incidents remained relatively low, with six DUIrelated stops during the year, two more than in 2024.

At the same time, traffic safety moved in the right direction. The number of reported crashes dropped significantly, from 231 in 2024 to 171 in 2025.

Community Programs NCSO is involved in several specialized programs aimed at public safety and prevention.

In 2025, for the first time, nine deputies and dispatchers earned Project Lifesaver certification, enhancing the agency’s ability to locate and safely return vulnerable individuals who may wander from home.

The Sheriff’s Office also continued its participation in the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back initiative, offering yearround, anonymous drop-off for unused medications. The program is focused not only on the removal of potentially dangerous substances from homes but also on promoting environmentally safe disposal.

In 2025, NCSO reported collecting and safely disposing of nearly 121 pounds of prescription and over-thecounter drugs, down from 145.1 pounds in 2024. Two drug take-back events were also held during the year.

Youth education remained another focus area. Across 2024 and 2025, a total of 74 middle school students graduated from the D.A.R.E. program, which aims to educate young people about drug prevention and decision-making.

Beyond enforcement and prevention efforts, the Sheriff’s Office maintained a visible presence in the community through a variety of public events and outreach initiatives last year. The sheriff, deputies, and staff participated in 11 community events and delivered three crime prevention presentations, reaching approximately 1,600 residents.

Those activities included neighborhood watch meetings, presentations on scams and financial fraud, participation in local celebrations such as the Lillian Lumber anniversary and Social Services Family Day, and appearances at Fourth of July parades in Reedville and Lewisetta.

NCSO hosted “Coffee with a Cop” events and joined seasonal events like the Halloween Boo-Bash and Christmas parades in Callao and Kilmarnock.

According to the report, these efforts reflect a continued emphasis on building relationships with residents while addressing both enforcement needs and community-based public safety. “I am proud to lead Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Johnny Beauchamp. “Officers of all ranks and civilian employees demonstrate their commitment to the safety and well-being of residents, business owners, and visitors each and every day.”