Morganton Public Safety

08/29/2026

UPDATE 11:15pm:
Carbon City Road is now open. Thank you for your patience.

Please use caution in the area and use an alternate route (Jamestown/North Green) as Carbon City Road between Silvercreek Restaurant and Greenlee Ford Road is completely blocked both ways.

Electric Department is aware and is working on replacing poles with an undetermined ETA at this time. This post will be updated once this stretch of road is open for travel.

08/28/2026

For Immediate Release:

On Thursday, August 27, 2026, at approximately 10:38 a.m., the Morganton Department of Public Safety responded to reports of indecent exposure and trespassing involving several businesses in Downtown Morganton. The reported incidents occurred between the previous evening and Thursday morning.

Downtown Officer T. Martin immediately began investigating the incidents, contacting affected businesses and witnesses and obtaining photographs, video footage, and witness statements. Through the investigation, the individual involved was positively identified as Keith Thomas Barrett of Raleigh.

At approximately 2:00 p.m., PSO Martin completed the initial investigation and obtained warrants for Barrett charging him with three counts of Indecent Exposure and three counts of Second-Degree Trespass. Information regarding Barrett and the outstanding warrants was then relayed to members of the Morganton Department of Public Safety Special Operations Division.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., PSO Hunt and PSO Morris began actively searching the downtown area for Barrett. Within minutes, officers located Barrett at another downtown business and took him into custody without incident.

Barrett was taken before a magistrate and served with the outstanding warrants. He was initially held without bond due to his pretrial-release status. Barrett appeared in court for his first appearance on Friday, August 28, 2026. He was subsequently given a $50,000 secured bond and ordered to have no contact with the victims or businesses involved in the case. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 24, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Burke County.

The Morganton Department of Public Safety would like to thank the downtown businesses, witnesses, and members of the community who provided information and evidence that assisted officers with this investigation. Their cooperation, combined with the diligent work of our officers, allowed officers to identify the individual involved, obtain the appropriate criminal charges, and locate and arrest him within hours of the initial report.

We appreciate our community's continued willingness to report suspicious or criminal activity and work alongside our officers to help keep Downtown Morganton and our community safe.

As with all criminal cases, the charges described above are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

https://www.morgantonnc.gov/publicsafety/page/morganton-public-safety-arrests-man-following-downtown-incidents

08/19/2026

Whether you want to discuss community safety, ask about police work, or just say hello, we'd love to see you at Coffee with a Cop tomorrow morning!

🗓 When: Thursday, August 20th at 8:30am
🐔 Where: Chick fil A of Morganton
🎯 The Vibe: Good conversation, chicken minis and coffee!

Bring your appetite and your questions!

08/13/2026

What a fantastic National Night Out! 🚓🚑🚒
A huge THANK YOU to our community for coming out, connecting with us, and making the evening such a success. Seeing so many neighbors, families, and friends gather together makes our community feel like home.
We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our incredible first responder agencies and local organizations. Events like this wouldn't be possible without your dedication and shared commitment to keeping our community safe and connected. We’re already looking forward to next year!

08/10/2026

STORM UPDATE – 8:30 PM

A storm has moved through the City of Morganton, resulting in downed trees, property damage, and power outages in several areas.

City crews are aware of the outages and are actively working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Please do not call 911 solely to report a power outage. Only call 911 if you have an emergency associated with the outage or another immediate threat to life or property.

Several downed trees and other roadway hazards have also been reported. City and state crews are working to clear affected roadways and address these hazards.

If you do not need to be out, please remain at home and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve. This will help keep roadways clear for emergency responders, utility crews, and public works personnel.

Please use caution if you must travel, and never approach downed power lines.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as crews continue working throughout the city.

08/06/2026

!! WE'RE HIRING !!

Looking for a new career? Look no further! We are hiring an Animal Control Officer. Applicants can find out more about this position and apply online at the City of Morganton Website.

Find out more at https://www.morgantonnc.gov/hr/job-opening/animal-control-officer

08/05/2026

TODAY'S the day! Join us tonight from 6pm-8pm on the Downtown Morganton Courthouse Square!

🚨 LIGHTS, SIRENS, AND FREE FUN! 🚨

Mark your calendars! It’s almost time for Morganton Public Safety’s National Night Out! Check out First Responder vehicles from area agencies and hang out with the men and women who keep our community safe!

🚔 Police Cruisers & Gear: Get an up-close look at our law enforcement vehicles!
🚒 Fire Trucks: Check out their trucks and gear and meet your local firefighters!
🌭 Great Neighbors: Connect with your community in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
🎈 Family-Friendly Fun: Activities and smiles for all ages!

When: Tuesday, August 11th
Time: 6pm-8pm
Where: Downtown Morganton Courthouse Square

Bring your family and bring your neighbors, we can't wait to see you there!

08/04/2026

***UPDATE***
The gas leak has been stopped. Morganton units have cleared. Piedmont Natural Gas remains on scene to finish repairs.

Morganton units are on scene with Piedmont Natural Gas for an active natural gas leak. A safe zone has been established. Residence and businesses in the area of West Concord and New Street may occasionally smell the odor of Natural Gas. Units are actively metering the area to ensure there are no additional hazards until the gas leak can be mitigated.

07/31/2026

Badge earned.

Oath taken.

We'd like to welcome our newest officers Robert Christopher, Benjamin Ealy, Melissa Raymundo-Lopez, and Bryce Griffith to the Morganton Public Safety family and to our community!

07/26/2026

https://www.morgantonnc.gov/publicsafety/page/four-arrested-following-fatal-shooting

News Release Date 07-26-2026 Back to News MORGANTON, N.C. — The Morganton Department of Public Safety investigated a fatal shooting that occurred early this morning. At approximately 1:00 a.m. on Sunday July 26th, Morganton Public Safety officers heard multiple gunshots coming from the area of Wes...