FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/30/2026 Gibson County Sheriff’s Office to increase patrols to target distracted driving and speeding 03/30/2026 – The Gibson County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) to increase patrols aimed at reducing speeding and distracted driving on Indiana roadways. As part of the Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHIRP), an ICJI initiative that provides federal funding for local traffic safety enforcement, officers will work overtime beginning April 4 through April 13, 2026, to identify and stop drivers who are speeding or violating Indiana’s Hands-Free Law. “Distracted driving and speeding are preventable behaviors that put drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk,” said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “This campaign is a reminder that these actions have real consequences, and law enforcement officers are actively working to keep Indiana’s roads safe.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Indiana recorded 249 speeding-related fatalities in 2023, and distracted driving accounted for 47 fatal incidents. However, limitations in data collection suggest that the actual number of deadly crashes caused by distracted drivers is likely higher than reported. “Distracted driving and speeding remain major contributors to serious and deadly crashes,” said Sheriff Bruce Vanoven “These actions are illegal and endanger everyone on the road. Officers will step up enforcement and ticket anyone caught violating these laws.” Indiana’s Hands-Free Law, which took effect in 2020, prohibits drivers from holding mobile devices while operating a motor vehicle. Calls may only be made using hands-free technology, such as Bluetooth, headset, or any other hands-free technology. To help prevent dangerous driving behaviors, ICJI and law enforcement encourage motorists to: · Put the phone down and avoid multitasking while driving · Obey posted speed limits and adjust speed for road conditions · Allow extra travel time, especially during busy commute periods · Keep a safe distance between vehicles
Our new building houses the Sheriff’s Office, 911 Dispatch Center, as well as the County Jail. We moved into the new facility at 119 E Brumfield Av in Princeton the middle of May 2025. The entrance is located at the corner of Brumfield Av and Prince St.
Corrections Officer Fernando Bello
At 6 a.m. on May 28th, 2023, Officer Bello was working the jail board in our dispatch center when a 911 call came in from a Hispanic female. At the time neither of the Communications Officers could understand or speak Spanish. Officer Bello, who is a native of Brazil, speaks not only English but Portuguese and some Spanish. With this knowledge, he was able to translate on the fly for the dispatcher to get medical help to the caller.
“I am extremely proud of Officer Bello for stepping out of his comfort zone and getting help to one of our citizens. ” – Sheriff Vanoven
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3/30/2026 Gibson County Sheriff’s Office to increase patrols to target distracted driving and speeding 03/30/2026 – The Gibson County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) to increase patrols aimed at reducing speeding and distracted driving on Indiana roadways. As part of the Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHIRP), an ICJI initiative that provides federal funding for local traffic safety enforcement, officers will work overtime beginning April 4 through April 13, 2026, to identify and stop drivers who are speeding or violating Indiana’s Hands-Free Law. “Distracted driving and speeding are preventable behaviors that put drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk,” said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “This campaign is a reminder that these actions have real consequences, and law enforcement officers are actively working to keep Indiana’s roads safe.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Indiana recorded 249 speeding-related fatalities in 2023, and distracted driving accounted for 47 fatal incidents. However, limitations in data collection suggest that the actual number of deadly crashes caused by distracted drivers is likely higher than reported. “Distracted driving and speeding remain major contributors to serious and deadly crashes,” said Sheriff Bruce Vanoven “These actions are illegal and endanger everyone on the road. Officers will step up enforcement and ticket anyone caught violating these laws.” Indiana’s Hands-Free Law, which took effect in 2020, prohibits drivers from holding mobile devices while operating a motor vehicle. Calls may only be made using hands-free technology, such as Bluetooth, headset, or any other hands-free technology. To help prevent dangerous driving behaviors, ICJI and law enforcement encourage motorists to: · Put the phone down and avoid multitasking while driving · Obey posted speed limits and adjust speed for road conditions · Allow extra travel time, especially during busy commute periods · Keep a safe distance between vehicles
This new building will include the County Jail, the Sheriff’s Office, and the 911 Dispatch Center.
The construction site is located along E. Brumfield Ave. directly behind the existing jail. You can keep up on our progress by watching our live-stream construction camera.
Corrections Officer Fernando Bello
On May 28, 2023, at 6 a.m. Officer Bello was working the jail board in our dispatch center when a 911 call came in from a hispanic female called and asked for assistance. At the time neither of the Communications Officers could understand or speak Spanish. Officer Bello, who is a native of Brazil, speaks not only English but Portuguese and some Spanish. With this knowledge, he was able to translate on the fly for the dispatcher to get medical help to the caller.
“I am extremely proud of Officer Bello for stepping out of his comfort zone and getting help to one of our citizens. ” – Sheriff Vanoven
