Camden Tribune accepts Sheriff Jones’ invitation to tour; residents may join today at 1 p.m.

CAMDEN, N.C. — Camden Tribune will be at the Camden County Sheriff’s Office at 1 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 6, to tour the department’s current facilities at the invitation of Sheriff J. Kevin Jones.

Residents interested in seeing the facility and learning more about the Sheriff’s Office’s reported space, storage and security limitations may meet the Tribune outside the office shortly before 1 p.m.

• Time: 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026
• Location: Camden County Sheriff’s Office
• Address: 117 NC Highway 343 North, Camden, NC 27921

Because the Sheriff’s Office is an active law-enforcement facility, participation in the tour, entry into the building, photography and access to evidence-storage areas or other secured spaces will remain subject to the instructions and security requirements of Sheriff’s Office personnel.

Residents should not enter restricted areas or photograph records, evidence, victims, witnesses, detained individuals or sensitive law-enforcement information without express authorization.

Why Camden Tribune is visiting

The tour follows a Camden Tribune Government Watch inquiry into the long-term facilities planning for the Sheriff’s Office.

In written responses to the Tribune, Jones said the department does not currently have adequate space for all of its operational responsibilities. He identified the need for additional evidence and file storage, office space for current and future deputies, better-secured armory and tactical-equipment space, and improved working space for civilian employees.

Jones also described a need for modern interview rooms, updated technology and records systems, a secure fenced area for seized vehicles and other large items, larger evidence-storage areas, fire-resistant storage for older handwritten reports and improved holding facilities.

When asked whether the present facility meets modern law-enforcement standards, Jones answered that it does not.

The sheriff said the building presently used by his office is at least 70 years old. He said older records must be stored in a poorly ventilated attic because of insufficient space downstairs and that extreme summer heat and winter cold can affect the materials stored there.

Sheriff invited residents to see the facility

Jones invited Camden County residents to visit the Sheriff’s Office and see its conditions firsthand.

“I would invite all our county citizens to stop by and visit their Sheriff’s Office,” Jones wrote.

He offered to personally show residents what the department has to work with.

Camden Tribune subsequently accepted the invitation and arranged today’s 1 p.m. tour with the sheriff.

What remains unresolved

Jones told the Tribune that the Sheriff’s Office has not formally requested construction of a new standalone building and that, to his knowledge, the Camden County Board of Commissioners has not approved planning, funding or design work for one.

He said the department has been told it might receive the existing Senior Center after a new senior facility is completed. However, the sheriff did not identify a definite timeline or a formal written commitment establishing that arrangement.

Camden Tribune is continuing to examine county meeting minutes, capital planning documents, budgets and other public records to determine whether the proposed transfer has been formally considered or approved.

A reporting visit, not a political event

Today’s visit is a Camden Tribune reporting assignment. It is not a protest, political rally or campaign activity.

Residents who attend should not bring campaign signs, partisan materials or items that could interfere with Sheriff’s Office operations. All participants should follow the directions of deputies and staff.

The Tribune will document what reporters are permitted to observe, seek answers to outstanding questions and clearly distinguish firsthand observations from statements made by public officials.

Following the visit, Camden Tribune plans to publish a full report describing the facility conditions observed, the Sheriff’s Office’s stated needs and the status of any county planning or funding decisions.

Source note: This public notice is based on written correspondence between Sheriff J. Kevin Jones and Camden Tribune dated July 29–31, 2026. The scheduled visit is a Tribune reporting tour. Access by additional participants remains subject to Sheriff’s Office approval and operational requirements.

Have information? Readers with public records, photographs or firsthand knowledge concerning Sheriff’s Office facilities planning may contact Camden Tribune at [email protected].