O'Neill Police Department

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.

04/16/2026

04/16/2026

The O’Neill Police Department Made 1 DUI Arrest and issued 18 Citations and Warnings during the Put the Phone Away Campaign

During the national Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign, The O’Neill Police Department made 1 DUI arrest and issued 18 citations and warnings. The national high-visibility distracted driving awareness effort ran April 9th through April 13th, 2026.
The O’Neill Police Department would like to remind drivers that putting the phone away can limit injury or save a life. We see the results of distracted driving all the time. So often, it could have been prevented.
For more information on the Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign, please visit NHTSA.gov/Distracted.

Matthew Otte
Chief of Police
O’Neill, Nebraska

04/07/2026

Put the Phone Away Campaign Reminds Drivers:
Put the Phone Away or Pay April 9th – April 13th, and Every Day

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging drivers to put the phone away ahead of a the national Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign. The national high-visibility distracted driving awareness effort runs April 9th to April 13th, 2026.
During the Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign, the O’Neill Police Department will be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out to drivers. Putting the phone away can limit injury or save a life. We see the results of distracted driving all the time. So often, it could have been prevented.
For more information on the Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign, please visit NHTSA.gov/Distracted.

Matthew Otte
Chief of Police
O’Neill, Nebraska

03/31/2026

***OWNER FOUND***

A small male brown and white terrier mix dog was found in the area of Kros Drive. Please contact the O'Neill Police Department at 402-336-1313.

03/16/2026

***OWNER FOUND***

A female yellow lab was found over the weekend in the area of 709 E Londonderry Street. Please contact the O'Neill Police Department at 402-336-1313.

03/11/2026

*** OWNER FOUND***

A Husky was found in the area of First Christian Church. Please contact the O'Neill Police Department at 402-336-1313.

03/09/2026

March 09, 2025

All vehicles will need to be moved off of Douglas Street, from 1st to 8th Streets before 11:00 A.M., on Saturday, March 14, 2026. We appreciate your help.

Chief Matthew Otte
O’Neill Police Department

03/02/2026

PRESS RELEASE

March 2, 2026

The O’Neill Police Department, with assistance from the Holt County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol and U.S. Postal Inspection Service executed a search warrant on February 27, 2026. The O’Neill Police Department received information from Investigator Tim Stopak, with the Nebraska State Patrol, which started a local investigation. A search warrant was served at the residence of 203 South Madison Street, O’Neill, Nebraska.
As a result of the search warrant, Jeffrey W. Barnes, age 39, of O’Neill, Nebraska, was arrested without incident for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver within 1,000 Feet of a Playground. Barnes was incarcerated in the Holt County Jail. Stacy L. Tharp, age 51, of O’Neill, Nebraska, was arrested without incident for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver within 1,000 Feet of a Playground, Possession of Ma*****na less than One Ounce, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Tharp was incarcerated in the Antelope County Jail.

Matthew Otte
Chief of Police

Send a message to learn more

02/11/2026

*** OWNER FOUND***

A small female puppy was found in the area of 8th Street and Benton Street. Please contact the O'Neill Police Department at 402-336-131

01/22/2026

January 22, 2026
Press Release
The O’Neill Police Department would like to remind the public to ensure they are caring for their outdoor pets properly with the extremely cold weather we will be experiencing. Checking on your outdoor pets often, providing them with appropriate food, shelter, and water. With the cold temperatures your pet’s water will freeze quickly so consider a heated water bowl or clear the ice and refill it with water throughout the day. If possible, consider bringing your pets into the house or garage during the night.
Matthew Otte #478
Police Chief

01/13/2026

*** Owner Found ***

This dog was found in the area of 131 N 9th Street. Please contact the O'Neill Police Department at 402-336-1313.