O'Neill Police Department

08/14/2026

Press Release

August 14, 2026

On the morning of August 13, 2026, during the mid 10:00 hour, the O’Neill Police Department responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of East Donegal Street in O’Neill, Nebraska, which involved an individual being stabbed. The O’Neill Police Department, Holt County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol responded to the scene. Three individuals were transported by O’Neill Ambulance to Avera St. Anthony’s hospital for treatment. As a result of the initial investigation, Jose A. Trejo Jr., age 21 of O’Neill, Nebraska, was arrested for 3rd Degree Assault and transported to the Holt County Jail in O’Neill, and Ava Mackey, age 18 of Oklahoma, was arrested for 2nd Degree Assault and transported to the Antelope County Jail in Neligh, Nebraska.

Matthew Otte
Chief of Police

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08/11/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 08/11/2026

The O’Neill Police Department Issued 21 Citations and Warnings and Made a DUI Arrest during the Speeding Slows You Down Campaign

The O’Neill Police Department issued 21 citations and warnings along with making a DUI Arrest during the Speeding Slows You Down high-visibility enforcement campaign which took place July 27th through August 9th.

Speeding-related fatalities affect communities nationwide every year. In 2024, there were 11,288 speed-related traffic fatalities, accounting for 29% of all traffic fatalities. Young drivers have a higher chance of being involved in speeding-related crashes.

Drivers in O’Neill should be especially aware of this campaign and their speed. Local roads are where most of our speeding-related crashes occur.

For more information on speeding, visit NHTSA.gov/Speeding.

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07/23/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/23/2026

NHTSA Reminds Drivers:
Obeying Speed Limits Is the Law, Lives Depend on It

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the O’Neill Police Department reminds drivers that speeding has legal consequences. As part of the Speeding Slows You Down high-visibility enforcement campaign from July 27th through August 9th, drivers will see more law enforcement on the roads.

Speeding-related fatalities affect communities nationwide every year. In 2024, there were 11,288 speed-related traffic fatalities, accounting for 29% of all traffic fatalities. Young drivers have a higher chance of being involved in speeding-related crashes.

Speed limits are in place to keep all road users safe. Every mile per hour over the limit increases the risk of a crash and the severity of injuries. Violating the speed limit and driving too fast for road conditions endangers everyone on the road.

Drivers in O’Neill should be especially aware of this campaign and their speed. Local roads are where most of our speeding-related crashes occur.

For more information on speeding, visit NHTSA.gov/Speeding.

07/14/2026

July 14, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

The O’Neill Police Department would like to let residents know it is against City Ordninace (6-401) to blow the grass clippings from your yard into the streets. It shall be unlawful to throw or sweep into the streets, alleys, parks, or other public grounds any dirt, paper, nails, pieces of glass, refuse, waste or rubbish of an kind. The grass clippings also plug the screens on the City Street Department’s street sweeper, which causes unnecessary breakdowns and delays.

The O’Neill Police Department has received multiple concerns regarding this matter and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation.


Matthew Otte
Chief of Police

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06/08/2026

This brown and white Pit Bull was found over the weekend in the area of N 2nd Street and E John Street. Please contact the O'Neill Police Department at 402-336-1313.

06/02/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 06-02-2026

Successful National Click It or Ticket Effort:
The O’Neill Police Department Made a DUI Arrest and Wrote 31 Citations and Warnings.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration raised awareness of seat belt safety during the Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement campaign, held May 15th through May 31st. The O’Neill Police Department increased enforcement and wrote a total of 31 citations and warnings and made a DUI arrest during the enforcement period.
The national seat belt use rate in 2024 was 91.2%. The Click It or Ticket seat belt safety campaign is focusing on the remaining 8.8% who still don’t buckle up. Thousands of lives could be saved each year if every person was properly restrained on the road.
For more information on the Click It or Ticket seat belt high-visibility enforcement campaign, please visit NHTSA.gov/ClickIt.

Wear your seat belt every time—no matter how uncomfortable it feels or how far you're going. Because there's no such thing as a good excuse for not buckling up.

05/20/2026

***OWNER FOUND***

A female terrier mix wearing a teal collar was found in the area of Dover and Archer Streets. Please contact the O'Neill Police Department at 402-336-1313.

05/12/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 05-12-2026

Seat Belts Saves Lives
Buckle Up May 15 – May 31, and Every Day

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the O’Neill Police Department are 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 15-31, 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.
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.

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.