Oak Ridge Today

Fire and Crime Prevention Celebration is Oct. 26

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Oak Ridge Fire and Crime Prevention Celebration (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Fire and Police Departments, in partnership with the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program, will hold this year’s Fire and Crime Prevention Celebration on Saturday, October 26.

“Everyone is invited to participate and support this free event, which combines the police department’s annual National Night Out and the Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Parade into one big community celebration,” a press release said.

Goals of the Fire and Crime Prevention Celebration include:

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch has pancake breakfast Saturday

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The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program will host a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, August 11, at Aubrey’s Restaurant at 481 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Tickets are $5 per plate. A plate includes two pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a fountain drink, milk, orange juice, tea, or coffee. Tickets are on sale now from Joana Springmier at [email protected] or (865) 272-5153, or Barbara Brower at [email protected].

The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program is a self-funded organization that relies solely on donations and fundraisers to promote safe neighborhoods.

“Thanks for your support!” organizers said.

This press release was submitted by Joana Springmier.

Sheriff’s Department has holiday crime prevention tips

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Anderson County Sheriff's Department Badge

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department has offered holiday crime prevention tips.

“The busy holiday season is…upon us and many people can become victims of burglary, theft, and other crime,” a press release said. “Protecting yourself and your home from crime is the easiest way to have a safe, happy holiday season.”

To help ensure everyone has safe and fun holidays, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department would like to offer the following tips for holiday crime prevention.

Shopping:

  • Park in lighted areas at night.
  • Always lock your car.
  • Don’t try to cover items on your seats. Put shopping bags in your trunk or take your packages straight home after shopping and then go back out.
  • Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you, or else, keep it in your front pocket—not in your purse or wallet.
  • Be extra careful when carrying a purse—they are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas. If you must carry one, make sure it has a strap that can go over the shoulder and be held under the arm, making them more difficult for purse snatchers to grab.
  • Keep a record of all of your debit and credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
  • Beware of strangers approaching you. This is the time of year when thieves may try various methods to distract you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

[Read more…]

Dave Clark the featured speaker at next Neighborhood Watch meeting

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Dave Clark

Dave Clark

The next Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program meeting will feature Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark as guest speaker, an event notice said.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 5, in the Oak Ridge High School Amphitheater. Everyone is invited to attend, the notice said.

Clark will talk about how the District Attorney’s Office handles cases involving Oak Ridge and Anderson County, the event notice said. He will also take questions from the audience.

“We have had several related questions at earlier meetings, so take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about how criminal cases are handled in our area,” the notice said. “If you have specific questions for General Clark, please submit them…in advance so he can prepare a response. We have a rare opportunity to talk directly to our district attorney.” [Read more…]

Anderson County crime continues to drop

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tbi-reported-crimes-11-21-2016

Image by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department

 

An analysis of criminal offenses reported to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department shows a significant decline since 2007, authorities said. The most significant drop in crime numbers occurred from 2011 to 2015.

Here are some of the highlights, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department:

From 2014 From 2007
Total Reported Crimes -28.17% -67.95%
Crimes Against Persons -9.95% -71.57%
Crimes Against Property -30.12% -65.24%
Crimes Against Society -44.52% -73.12%

The overall number of crimes reported to the Sheriff’s Department decreased 67.95 percent from 2007 to 2015. In addition, crime is down throughout Anderson County, the Sheriff’s Department said. [Read more…]

Anderson County Sherif’s Department offers holiday crime prevention tips

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holiday-crime-prevention

Submitted

The busy holiday season is almost upon us and many people can become victims of burglary, theft, and other crime. Protecting yourself and your home from crime is the easiest way to have a safe, happy holiday season.

To help ensure everyone has safe and fun holidays, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department would like to offer the following tips for holiday crime prevention.

Shopping:

  • Park in lighted areas at night.
  • Always lock your car.
  • Don’t try to cover items on your seats. Put shopping bags in your trunk or take your packages straight home after shopping and then go back out.
  • Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you, or else, keep it in your front pocket—not in your purse or wallet.
  • Be extra careful when carrying a purse—they are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas. If you must carry one, make sure it has a strap that can go over the shoulder and be held under the arm, making them more difficult for purse snatchers to grab.
  • Keep a record of all of your debit and credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
  • Beware of strangers approaching you. This is the time of year when thieves may try various methods to distract you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

[Read more…]

Neighborhood Watch has fundraiser at Gondolier on Wednesday

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The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program has a fundraiser at Gondolier Restaurant on Wednesday, April 13.

Ten percent of dine-in or carry-out receipts will be donated to the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program, organizers said.

The fundraiser is from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday.

Gondolier Restaurant is at 792 Briarcliff Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Neighborhood Watch Hosts Pancake Breakfast Saturday

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The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program will host a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Applebee’s, 1213 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.

Tickets are $5 per person. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat breakfast may be purchased from Neighborhood Watch district leaders in advance and at the door the day of the event.

Proceeds from the breakfast will support Neighborhood Watch, a program that supports groups of neighbors who organize and partner with the Police Department to report suspicious activity and keep watch on neighbors’ homes. The program helps police reduce crime and keep neighborhoods safe, and it helps neighbors improve the quality of life in their communities.

The breakfast will raise funds to help new Neighborhood Watch groups get started and for signs, literature, and other Neighborhood Watch expenses.

Neighbors are helping police reduce crime throughout Oak Ridge in dozens of blocks and neighborhoods that have organized Neighborhood Watch groups.

 

Party in the Park features family-friendly fun, crime prevention, music, food on Saturday

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Neighborhood Watch Program Party

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer John Thomas, front left, invites children to meet one of the ORPD’s K-9s at last year’s crime prevention celebration. Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi is pictured at back left. (Submitted photo)

 

The first annual Party in the Park on Saturday will feature family-friendly activities for children and adults, crime prevention presentations and information, free food, and more. It’s scheduled from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, October 17, at A.K. Bissell Park near the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

The Oak Ridge Police Community Resource Office and the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program will host the 2015 Party in the Park, with activities celebrating the partnership between the community and the police department. The focus of the event is crime prevention, safety, health, and wellness.

Kristine Kinsey will serve as master of ceremonies and comedian. Magician Danny Whitson will perform feats of magic during the celebration. Festivities will also include Oak Ridge Police K-9 demonstrations, safety and health exhibits, Oak Ridge Electric Department bucket rides, and drug abuse prevention information. [Read more…]

Neighborhood Watch volunteers helping Comfort Inn thank ORFD, ORPD

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Volunteers for the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program will help thank the Oak Ridge police and fire departments on Tuesday morning, a press release said.

It’s part of National Waffle Day, and it’s hosted by Kate Groover and the Comfort Inn in Oak Ridge.

The “Say Thank You with Waffles” event is from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, August 18, at Comfort Inn at 433 South Rutgers Avenue. [Read more…]

Neighborhood Watch hosts pancake breakfast Saturday

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Neighborhood Watch March Clean-up

Jerrold Eaton, Woodland block captain with the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program, joins volunteers from Neighborhood Watch and Central Baptist Church to clear brush away from the intersection of Pennsylvania and North Tulane Avenues and Providence Road recently. The ORNWP pancake breakfast supports activities of Neighborhood Watch. (Submitted photo)

 

Join your neighbors at a Community Pancake Breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, April 18, hosted by the Oak Ridge Police Department Community Resource Office and the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program.

The breakfast will be held at Applebee’s, 1213 Oak Ridge Turnpike, and tickets are $5. Tickets are available at the door.

The breakfast offers residents an opportunity to learn more about the city’s Neighborhood Watch crime prevention program. Neighborhood Watch block captains and district leaders will serve breakfast at the event. [Read more…]

Neighborhood Watch, Police Department have pancake breakfast on Saturday

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Neighborhood Watch Pancake Breakfast

Nick and Pat Imperato are pictured above at a previous Neighborhood Watch pancake breakfast at Applebee’s. (Submitted photo)

 

Join your neighbors at a Community Pancake Breakfast on Saturday hosted by the Oak Ridge Police Department Community Resource Office and the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program.

The breakfast is scheduled from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, November 15. The breakfast will be held at Applebee’s at 1213 Oak Ridge Turnpike, and tickets are $5. Tickets are available at the door.

The breakfast offers residents an opportunity to meet Officer Brandan Sharp—the Oak Ridge Police Department’s community resource officer, who serves as a liaison to the Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program—and to learn more about the city’s Neighborhood Watch crime prevention program.

[Read more…]