The North Carolina Department of Revenue is partnering with a nonprofit alliance of tax software companies to provide free electronic tax filing services. 

This year, taxpayers with incomes as high as $60,000 for individuals and $92,000 for joint filers may be eligible for the NCfreefile program. Approximately seventy percent of North Carolinians can file their taxes online for free through the program.

Not only is it free for those who meet the income requirements, but online filing is easier and more accurate for taxpayers and refunds are processed more quickly.

State and federal taxes are due by April 18, 2023. 

Attorney General Josh Stein has had since 2017 to address sex offender issues and sheltering during hurricanes, yet hasn’t produced one memo or suggestion on how to resolve the issue. According to Mr. Stein’s election website promoting priorities of public safety, “To live our lives to the fullest, we must first be safe and secure at home and in our communities.” Mr. Stein doesn’t intend to live up to addressing safety for all since registrants are still banned from all hurricane shelters primarily because they are facilitated on school properties.

Mr. Stein should be reminded that people on the registry have been adjudicated in court for their past wrongdoings. Mr. Stein shouldn’t use the registry as punishment and banishment from basic essential needs and accesses to safety. However, this is exactly what the Attorney General continues to do each hurricane season.

But let’s not put the Attorney General in front of the bus just yet. Our legislative leadership should share some blame in this issue. The N.C. legislature has had nearly a decade to fix the law banning registrants from shelters on school properties. Since 2011, not one bill has been introduced on the house or senate floor to address the state of emergency conditions for registrants and their families.

But while N.C. Governor Roy Cooper stands in front of microphones requesting federal funding to mitigate an approaching hurricane, he also shares a tremendous responsibility of not addressing registrants at emergency shelter issues during his long tenure as Attorney General before he became elected to the states highest office.

It is time for state leaders to take a moment and think of the bigger picture. People on the registry are human beings that paid their price in court. However, people on the registry continue to be the “fear selling modern-day boogie man” used as pawns during elections. Enough is enough! Either we address the most challenging task today, or we will never address the issue at all. Registrants are humans and deserve the same benefits of safety as other humans. Registrants should have the right to unrestricted safety, security, and emergency shelter needs. Now is the time to call your state leaders and make your voice heard. Also, make your voice heard on election day. Vote, and vote for those that listen to your needs and concerns.

The bottom line is that the Governor, Legislature, and Attorney General since elected in 2017 could have addressed this issue, but didn’t. By the looks of things doesn’t seem interested in working hard for the people of North Carolina.

States have rules and requirements for sworn officers to wear a badge and uniform. However, in North Carolina, many police and sheriffs departments are skirting uniformity standards by introducing relaxed clothing trends, making it often challenging to identify a police officer. Mostly, if police officers want respect, they should look respectful, professional, and wear the official uniform of the policing agency they represent.

The most disturbing trend is that police officers across the state have migrated toward a mixture of military-style camouflage patterns as a part of the policing uniform. Wearing a combat styled camouflage uniform should be left to our armed forces and not a police agency. However, once again, the badge, the patch, and distinguishing identifications that the person is a police officer are questionable and confusing. In some cases, officers wearing “alternative relaxed/casual” uniforms have been the center of investigations where citizens have been shot by an officer mistakenly assumed for a civilian perpetrator.

A reason for such a candid discussion is how officers across North Carolina often go door-to-door claiming to be performing sex offender compliance checks. While sheriffs checks at home are not a requirement under current law except when notifications have not been verified, deputies often appear at the doorsteps of registrants wearing a mishmash of unprofessional and questionable uniform standards. Who on earth would ever answer a door to someone you could not readily identify? If it doesn’t look like a uniformed police officer, perhaps you shouldn’t answer the door? Law enforcement is supposed to announce themselves or, at least, at a minimum look the part easily identified by a name tag and department issued badge. However, we are witnessing a transformation from a typical police officer into either a militarized or “casual Friday” uniform standard.

Registrants all across North Carolina have contacted NCRSOL regarding officers approaching registrants doors at either 6 AM or as late at 11 PM improperly dressed or not easy to identify as police officers. NARSOL and other advocacy organizations are keenly aware of vigilante groups wearing open-carry weapons dressed in tactical pants and a polo shirt that has either harassed or roughed-up registrants. There are plenty of news stories about “pretend police” and how they prey on the most vulnerable. Citizens on the registry are statistically the most vulnerable population because home information is typically available on the internet. Perhaps if the police would halt unnecessary and possibly unlawful compliance checks, there may be a restoration towards civility, safety for all, and improved relations between the community and law enforcement.

Safety is what police across our state should be providing. That safety begins with an easily identifiable uniform with a distinctive badge, nametag, and official police patch. While uniform standards inevitably change over time, the standards and appearances shouldn’t confuse the general public. If officers are going to knock and bang on registrants’ doors for questionable compliance checks, at least look the part so that registrants or family members may answer the door safely.

The bottom line is that police should wear the police duty uniform and stop pretending to be military members skirting a fine line of “stolen valor” or trying to be a fashion trend of casual Fridays. If police are to remain proud to serve its community, then officers should be proud enough to represent the municipality for the uniform standard that represents the people of that community. Otherwise, police have suggested for decades, “don’t open the door to strangers.”  Perhaps now is the time to heed that advice.

House Bill 593 goes into law effective August 1, 2020. The new law is in direct conflict with the Grabarczyk v. Stein lawsuit that was decided in favor of Mr. Grabarczyk. Now that the Grabarczyk case is on appeal, many unanswered questions remain about how the matter will be disposed of. NCRSOL will continue to monitor results from the case and make updates whenever possible. 

But what the N.C. legislature failed to do was address how registrants are to seek shelter during a hurricane. Most of all, how do registrants get tested for COVID, especially when all the testing locations are on school grounds? You see, N.C. lawmakers do not want to understand the collateral consequences of the sex offender registry they created. They have been sold nothing more than tissues of lies that registrants are the most dangerous people in society. The facts are that registrants are perhaps the most compliant and least likely to be recidivists. Yet, lawmakers do not read scholarly journals nor listen to reason. Collectively, they perhaps represent the facilitation of “fake news” by ignoring data proven results by academics that remain neutral in registry issues. Instead, elected leaders continue to be persuaded by cash from lobbyists selling fear, lies, and deceit. Politicians don’t care about the people or crafting good laws. They only care about being reelected. 

Typically, elected officials are under the impression that during a state of emergency or pandemic that laws are magically suspended or waived. At least this is what a few lawmakers conveyed to me during conversations at the legislative building. Despite my best attempt at educating lawmakers, the reasoning always falls on deaf ears. Registrants are generally rounded up and arrested for seeking shelter during a state of emergency or criminally charged at a school because that is the only place where COVID testing takes place. Then the orchestrated attempt by police comes when the camera crews are summoned by a police press release splattering the image of “sex offender caught at school” all over the headlines for days. Nevermind that registrants are people that require COVID testing or shelter during a violent hurricane. But, your lawmakers don’t want to fix the laws that keep registrants and their families alive and safe from harm. Moreover, most media outlets fail to report the truth about the collateral consequences of the sex offender registries by falling into the trap of only reporting a constructive narrative to paint any registrant as the worst-of-the-worst. Police, politicians, and the media should address the moral issue rather than painting a false narrative. 

So, what do we do about it? There are many solutions, but it takes an army of registrants unafraid and undeterred to satisfy this mission. A solution begins with calling your lawmaker. Let them know that hurricane season is upon us. Every emergency shelter is at a school which is off-limits to sex offenders and their family. Demand that the law be changed during times of emergency proclaimed by the governor or town leaders. Additionally, speak about COVID-19 testing sites that are every school parking lot all across North Carolina. That means people on the sex offender registry cannot be tested on school grounds for a test that may save their life. Talk candidly about voting where nearly 96% of polling places are at school properties. Sure, there may be provisions within the law. But this isn’t the time to negotiate for what we should or shouldn’t bargain with when it comes to voting rights. This should be a time to exclaim registrants are people that deserve the same rights as any other person during times of emergency, pandemic crisis, and the ability to vote like any other American without special accommodation. Hold your elected officials accountable—otherwise, vote for another person to replace the voice that is supposed to represent you and second chances. Maybe, just maybe, registrants, registry family members, and allies of the anti-registry movement should consider running for public office to make our voice and concerns publically known? 

I don’t encourage people to get arrested to prove a point, especially when COVID in jails/prisons could equate to a potential death sentence. But perhaps that may be the next chapter in the anti-registry movement towards creating change. It will take brave people on the sex offender registry to be arrested for standing upon principle to reclaim his/her civil rights. No other person in America has to ask permission from a school to vote. No other person in America is excluded from seeking shelter at a school during a mandatory hurricane evacuation. No person in American must ask permission to buy or move to a new home or apartment. No person in America must ask permission to must ask the police for permission to go on vacation. No person in America is excluded from getting a COVID test based on where they may have the procedure performed. Sure, it is a huge gamble. But to have a civil rights case, we must find registrants willing to stand up and demand equality within their civil rights. Enough is enough! 

Now is the time to become vocal and make changes to draconian and Jim Crow styled laws penned by the elected leadership entrusted to represent your interests. Now is the time for registrants to fight back and reclaim his/her civil rights. Now is the time for action. I encourage you to contact your state representative and put your concerns in front of them. Demand change! Demand it now! Otherwise, lawmakers will continue to think we don’t put up a fight.  The clock is ticking to save the over 25,000 registrants in our state. 

Now is the time for action. Be a part of that action and become an advocate of change. 

This is NCRSOL’s monthly meeting for outreach and concerns affecting North Carolinians, families, and allies. All members and non-members are welcome. Legal advice is unavailable and highly discouraged from discussional topics because we are not licensed attorneys.

The dial-in number is (425) 436-6200, Access Code: 500410.

For those that wish you use computers, tablets or smartphones without having to dial-in, may do so at the following:

Dial-in number (US): (425) 436-6200
Access code: 500410#
International dial-in numbers: https://fccdl.in/i/dsdaughtry
Online meeting ID: dsdaughtry
Join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/dsdaughtry

• Limit the number of customers inside at any one time to 20 percent of allowed capacity under fire regulations, or five people per 1,000 square feet.
• Maintain 6-foot separation between customers at checkout lines and other areas where customers congregate.
• Routinely disinfect stores.

The order also encourages:

• Limit aisles to one-way traffic.
• Install plastic shields to separate cashiers from customers.
• Set aside specific hours for senior citizens to shop.
• Make hand sanitizer available for customers and staff.

The governor said, “Law enforcement has authority to issue class two misdemeanors (maximum penalty is 60 days in jail and a fine of $1,000). We believe retail stores understand and will follow rules. Families should also just send one person to the store. Try not to shop together. Get in and get out quickly.

The executive order states the requirements will last for 30 days unless extended by further executive action.

Read the entire story by clicking here

The staff of NCRSOL has researched every North Carolina Sheriffs’ official website for Covid-19 information as it pertains to registered sex offenders in the state.

Of the 100 counties in North Carolina, only three counties have posted amended sex offender registration procedures on its official website. Naturally, there will be discourse from those in the law enforcement community that registrants should call their sheriffs department or visit a social media site for the latest information. However, if sheriffs can implement augmented pistol permit and jail policies, then it can amend sex offender in-person requirements. These are not permanent acts – these are temporary acts of mercy and public safety that benefit the bigger picture at hand.

By current law, registrants in North Carolina are prohibited from accessing a website where a part of its terms and conditions prohibits registered sex offenders. Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Nextdoor, and a few others are platforms that many law enforcement websites use! NCRSOL encourages all registrants to obey the law and remain compliant. Don’t be a fool and assume that one law supersedes another by getting caught up in a legal imbroglio. The first line of defense of credible information is the official county website maintained by various sheriffs departments. The county website should be the sole credible source of public information.

Here are the North Carolina sheriffs departments that have amended sex offender in-person policies by notice on its official website during the Covid-19 pandemic: (effective 3/29/2020)

(F-Facebook; T-Twitter; B-Blogger; X-Nixie; G-GooglePlus; P-Pinterest; L-LinkedIn; S-Snapchat; N-Nextdoor; Y-YouTube; V-Vimeo; K-Flickr; I-Instagram)

Click on any county to be redirected to the official website of that particular sheriff’s department. Sheriffs may quietly change policies or directives without making it public via their website or social media blasts. You are encouraged to use this tool to show the law enforcement community that either there is no, limited, or ambiguous information from the department entrusted and elected to keep you and your community safe.

Upon researching each of the county sheriff websites, some may display a section for Emergency Alerts. However, in nearly all circumstances, no emergency alerts have been activated, updated, or mentioned for Covid-19, jail closings, pistol permit holds, or other sheriff related functions. Instead, many sheriffs have left those decisions to other county officials. 

A majority of sheriff official websites had no information posted about the governor’s recent mandatory “Stay-At-Home” order. A noticeable trend was that many sheriff websites used social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and in some cases defunct websites or broken links. Additionally, some of the sheriffs websites redirect to county administrative social media platforms with no mention of sheriffs operations amended or not. The scope of this particular research did not scour social media sites maintained by individual sheriff’s offices.

NCRSOL staff identified the following problems with sheriff official websites:

• websites neglected over time with no relevant or updated public information,
• no information about Covid-19 information regarding jail and/or public operations,
• no information about the governors stay at home order,
• no alternative emergency information or guidance procedures,
• broken or inoperable links,
• Sheriff’s updated concealed pistol permit information, but no other information was updated.
• No sheriffs department had alternative solutions for the sex offender community such as mail-in forms, documentation available online, or temporary change of address forms for the registry community.
• There is no standardization of law enforcement websites to simplify emergency data or services.

In a high-tech society surrounded by flagship universities and a state population where internet, webpages, and technology is a significant part of our daily lives combined demonstrates a lag in online technologies or features to keep society moving forward. It has been nearly two decades since 9/11. Yet a majority of our sheriffs departments are greatly unprepared to meet the simple challenges of the 21st century by leaders failing to change policy towards an on-line or application method rather than antiquated and expensive in-person requirements. Sheriffs have a unique ability to step aside of the political compass and begin to look at the human compass. 

While social media appears to be the new facilitation to traditional webpages, there is little to no standardization across the board for the general public to better understand changes under emergency conditions; especially a platform that serves communities such as the poor, homeless, registrants, or seniors without smartphones and social media outlets. North Carolina leaders must do more to simplify our information flow and processes to reduce not only our carbon footprint, but to reduce our public health criteria for the overall safety for all citizens. This is an opportunity to stop the “guessing games.” 

Despite emergency conditions and the putting innocent citizens further at risk, deputies all across North Carolina are still knocking on doors of registrants to verify if they live there. Basic constitutional rights include that citizens are not required to answer the door or talk to the police when they’re knocking at your door without a warrant. Yet, deputies continue to knock on registrants doors without a warrant despite those same registrants go in-person to the sheriffs office to verify his/her address.

NCRSOL staff would like to keep this data and information up-to-date. Please reply with updated information about specific counties to share with other registrants.

In the meantime, please contact your sheriff’s department to learn more about your county’s sex offender in-person registry policy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of all, please stay safe and follow the CDC recommended guidelines. Lastly, pay attention to the President and Governor by staying at home until this crisis has passed. 

• Are registrants still being required in your county to appear in-person?
• Have you had sheriff deputies knocking on doors for compliance checks?
• Have you called the sheriffs department to ask a question but are left in limbo with an answer?
• Has your county sheriff amended in-person requirements during the pandemic?

We would like to hear your stories so we can better assess what is happening in your community and county. So far, we have heard from a few registrants and family members, and despite the threat of the coronavirus, sheriffs departments haven’t seemed to have made adaptive measures to keep registrants, deputies, and the public safe.

Please contact us by email at contact@ncrsol.org . Be sure to include only facts, and what county you or the registrant resides. If you have received written notice of amended in-person requirements, our staff would like to view that as well.

On behalf of the staff at NCRSOL, please stay safe! The registry community will always remain in our thoughts and prayers.

At least 21 states are creating laws to deal with consensual sexting between teens so they’re not dealing with felony charges.

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