Ashdown Arkansas Police Department

05/16/2026

Seat Belts Saves Lives
Buckle Up May 18 – May 31, and Every Day

Ashdown, AR — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging drivers to buckle up ahead of the Click It or Ticket seat belt safety campaign. The national high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs May 18-31, 2026.

Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike. During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers. Not buckling up could mean a ticket, or worse, risking a life.

In 2024, there were 9,758 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes. The national seat belt use rate in 2024 was 91.2%, which is good — but it can be better. The other 8.8% still need to be reminded that seat belts save lives. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.

One of the focuses of the Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign is nighttime enforcement. NHTSA data shows a higher number of unrestrained occupant fatalities happen at night (56% between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.). Of the males killed in crashes in 2023, more than half (53%) were unrestrained. For females killed in crashes, 41% were not buckled up.

Buckle Up the Right Way

Place the shoulder belt across the middle of the chest and away from the neck.
Lay the lap belt across the hips and not the stomach.
NEVER place the seat belt behind the back or under arms.

We are asking friends and family to remind each other to buckle up in the front and back seats and to consider changing their habits if they don’t. Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to remember to buckle up.

For more information on the Click It or Ticket seat belt high-visibility enforcement campaign, please visit NHTSA.gov/ClickIt.

04/25/2026

Career Day at Ashdown High School. Glad we were able to be a part of it. Ashdown has a bright future and a great group of kids!!!!

04/16/2026

Ashdown,AR— Ahead of April 20, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding drivers that it’s illegal in every state and territory to drive under the influence of drugs. On “420” — a number associated with ma*****na — some might observe a day of increased ma*****na use. But, no matter the day, the message is the same: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.

Driving while impaired by any substance — legal or illegal — puts you and others in harm’s way. It’s a common and dangerous misconception that people drive better when they are high.

Driving high has serious and deadly consequences. A NHTSA study, from 2019-2021, showed that 26% of drivers seriously injured or killed in crashes tested positive for ma*****na.

If someone sees a friend who is about to drive high, they should take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home. And, if anyone spots an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
Drugs, including ma*****na, affect driving abilities, which puts everyone on the road at risk. It has been proven that ma*****na can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane. These are all unsafe driving behavior that can cause serious injuries or death in a crash.

A key to preventing impaired driving is to plan ahead. Designating a sober driver — that’s someone who won’t be drinking or using drugs — is one option. Other options include booking a rideshare or using a taxi.

Join NHTSA in sharing the lifesaving message, If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. For more information on drug-impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drug-impaired-driving.

04/13/2026

There have been multiple reports of scam calls from different parts of Arkansas involving an individual impersonating the Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

The caller identifies himself as “Officer Jackson” with ICAC (internet Crimes Against Children) and leaves messages directing individuals to return a call regarding an unspecified issue. In at least one instance, the caller advised that a warrant would be issued if the individual did not respond. The calls have originated from numbers including 501-777-6011 and 501-777-0611.

This appears to be a scam attempt using ICAC’s name and authority. For clarity, the ICAC Task Force does not contact individuals to notify them that they are the target of an investigation or request that they return calls under threat of arrest.

Please contact the Ashdown Police Department at 870-898-5640, if you are contacted by any individual making these request.

04/03/2026

Ashdown, AR— The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign is reminding drivers of the deadly dangers and legal consequences — including fines — of texting and other forms of messaging behind the wheel. From April 9-13, 2026, law enforcement nationwide will work together to enforce laws prohibiting distracted driving behind the wheel. These efforts come during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Cell phone use, texting and other activities that don’t contribute to safe driving are all forms of distracted driving. In 49 states, including Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands, texting while driving is illegal. According to NHTSA, in 2022 there were 3,308 people killed and an estimated additional 289,310 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. However, data collection limitations show that these figures are likely lower than the real figures.

Distracted driving, mainly cell phone use, remains a major contributor to serious and fatal crashes. It is dangerous, it is illegal, and it puts everyone on the road at risk. Our officers will increase enforcement and stop and ticket anyone who is texting and driving. If you drive distracted, you will face the consequences.

Violating Arkansas’s distracted-driving laws can be costly.

Safe driving can be adopted by these phone-free driving habits:

· Pull over and park in a safe location before using the phone to send or read a text message.
· Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter” and allow them to manage calls and messages during the drive.
· Avoid social media scrolling and any form of messaging while behind the wheel.
· Use “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications.
· Drivers can put their phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat of the vehicle to break the habit of driving distracted.

For more information on distracted driving, visit NHTSA.gov/Distracted.

04/01/2026

The Ashdown Police Department would like to thank Ledwell & Son Enterprises for donating a side by side to our department.

03/13/2026

03/09/2026

Ashdown, AR— St. Patrick’s Day 2026 celebrations will take place across the country on and around Tuesday, March 17. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges drivers to remember that drinking and driving is deadly and never an option. Join NHTSA and Ashdown, AR in sharing this message: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.
Every year, dozens of people are killed when they choose to drive drunk during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. According to NHTSA, 38% (284) of the traffic fatalities that occurred during the St. Patrick’s Day holidays between 2019-2023 involved drunk drivers. In 2023 alone, there were 63 fatalities in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, of which 44 involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 or higher.

Embracing St. Patrick’s Day and its traditions is one thing; engaging in the deadly behavior that is drinking and driving is another. Feeling buzzed and getting behind the wheel puts lives at risk. Our community has seen firsthand the devastation and loss caused by alcohol-impaired driving, along with the lasting pain it inflicts on families, friends, and entire communities. We’re partnering with NHTSA to share the reminder that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Drinking and driving is not an option, but making sure someone sober will be behind the wheel is.

Local authorities are urging everyone to celebrate the holiday safely by making a plan before the festivities begin. The most important step is arranging for a sober ride in advance — whether that means designating a sober driver, using a taxi service, or booking a rideshare. Because alcohol clouds a person’s judgement, designated drivers should be prepared to help others who failed to plan ahead find a safe and sober way home. Community members are also encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers to local law enforcement.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving

02/12/2026

Good Samaritan laws play a critical role in overdose prevention and emergency response involving substance use. These laws are designed to reduce preventable deaths by encouraging people to call for medical help during an overdose without fear of certain legal consequences.

In overdose situations, hesitation can be fatal. Fear of arrest, charges, or legal trouble has historically stopped many people from calling 911 when someone is in distress. Good Samaritan laws exist to remove that barrier and make saving a life the clear priority.

This page explains what Good Samaritan laws are, how they apply to substance use and overdose situations, and why they matter in real-world emergencies. State-specific protections and limitations vary and are addressed separately.

Check out this link.....

Good Samaritan laws play a critical role in overdose prevention and emergency response involving substance use. These laws are designed to reduce preventable deaths by encouraging people to call for medical help during an overdose without fear of certain legal consequences. In overdose situations, h...

02/09/2026

With Safer Internet Day coming up on February 10th, 2026, the Ashdown Police Department would like to share helpful information on how to prevent individuals from taking advantage of your loved ones.

The internet and social media continue to grow everyday. It is an endless supply of knowledge and fun. It is helpful in so many ways that it is impossible to make a list that even scratches the surface.

However, where there is good there will inevitably be evil. These individuals attempt to exploit children and others on a daily basis. Attached you will find information that helps keep you and your loved ones safe from these cyberspace predators.