Oak Ridge Today

Police: Man flees after driving toward store, hitting steel post in parking lot

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

A Knoxville man fled after resisting an officer, driving toward Rocky Top Convenience Store on Oak Ridge Turnpike, and hitting a steel post in the gas station’s parking lot early Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department is still searching for the man, identified as Sherrius Smith, 20, of Viking Road in Knoxville. Officers are also searching for a 17-year-old female who was in the car with Smith.

Two ORPD officers responded to Rocky Top at about 1:40 a.m. Tuesday to investigate a suspicious black sedan in the parking lot, occupied by Smith and the juvenile, a press release said. Smith and the juvenile were reportedly intoxicated and had been involved in a verbal disturbance earlier after exiting the store, the ORPD said in the release. [Read more…]

Man shows handgun, fires one shot before surrendering as SWAT team arrives

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Wakefield Road Police Standoff

A man who had allegedly brandished a firearm inside an apartment and shot one round outside before barricading himself inside a Wakefield Road apartment surrendered as an Oak Ridge Police Department SWAT team arrived Monday evening, authorities said.

 

A man who allegedly brandished a firearm inside an apartment and fired one round outside before barricading himself inside a Wakefield Road home surrendered to Oak Ridge police officers as a SWAT team arrived Monday evening, authorities said.

The unidentified man allegedly entered the apartment at Wakefield Road Townhomes and Apartments and brandished the firearm with several people inside, Oak Ridge Police Department Lt. Matt Tedford said. A fight ensued, Tedford said.

The man fired one round outside, but it was not aimed at anyone, police said.

After the man barricaded himself inside his apartment, police set up a perimeter and started negotiations. The SWAT team was notified, and the man decided to come out of his apartment as the SWAT team arrived, Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi said. [Read more…]

Police watch for speeding, texting, impaired drivers in Operation Drive Safe

Posted at
By 3 Comments

Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

The Oak Ridge Police Department is looking for drivers who are speeding, texting, or driving while impaired in a focused traffic enforcement operation that started June 18 and continues through Labor Day weekend, a press release said.

It’s called Operation Drive Safe, and it will be conducted on Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue. Police are also looking for other traffic-related violations and watching for drivers who do not yield to pedestrians within a crosswalk.

“The Oak Ridge Police Department wants everyone to have a safe summer and share the road whether it’s with another vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian,” a press release said.

Oak Ridge: Pets, hot cars are a killer combination

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

Every year, the Oak Ridge Police Department receives numerous calls about pets left in parked cars during hot weather.

People may believe that a quick stop will not harm their pet. However, in those few minutes, the temperature in the car can reach 115 degrees on an 85 degree day, even with the windows cracked.

Dogs and cats cool themselves by panting and by releasing heat through their paws. On summer days, the air and upholstery in a vehicle can heat up to high temperatures that make it impossible for pets to cool themselves. [Read more…]

Two taken to hospital after stabbing reported on Monday night

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Two Oak Ridge men were taken by ambulance to a hospital after a stabbing was reported on Monday night, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department responded to a reported disturbance in the Scarboro neighborhood at about 11:30 p.m. Monday. Roughly 20 people were reported to be in the street on South Benedict Avenue near the intersection with South Dillard Avenue, and some were allegedly intoxicated, the ORPD said in a press release.

When officers arrived, they found Kevin Steen, 48, of Oak Ridge, lying in the street with multiple contusions to the head and face, the press release said.

A second subject reportedly had been stabbed and left the scene. [Read more…]

City, state work to reduce infant deaths through safe sleep program

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Submitted

Oak Ridge Police Department partners with Tennessee Department of Health to reduce infant deaths

One of the top priorities of the Tennessee Department of Health is to reduce the state’s infant mortality rate (a measure of how many babies die before reaching their first birthday). TDH has discovered that 20 percent of all infant deaths in Tennessee are due to unsafe sleep practices. As part of this effort to save babies’ lives, Oak Ridge Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Health in the effort to reduce infant mortality by participating in the Direct On Scene Education, or DOSE, program.

DOSE is an innovative program using first responders to educate families about safe sleep for all infants. First responders at the Oak Ridge Police Department will be educating all households with pregnant women or infants after they respond to the immediate emergency. Our police officers will be equipped with safe sleep kits to provide to families. These kits contain educational materials to teach the caregivers about safe sleep environments for infants. [Read more…]

ORPD: Junior Police Academy applications now available

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Junior Police Academy Logo

The Third Annual Junior Police Academy is being offered again by the Oak Ridge Police Department.

This year, the ORPD will offer two separate academies. The Junior Class is designed specifically for middle school students, and it’s scheduled from July 14-18. All Oak Ridge middle school students and rising fifth graders may attend. The Senior Class is designed for high school students, and it’s scheduled from July 21-25. All Oak Ridge High School students and rising ninth graders may attend.

Cadets will be given presentations by several Oak Ridge Police Department officers on topics that include K9 and SWAT operations, traffic stops, and much more. Cadets will also visit the prestigious Law Enforcement Innovation Center, Anderson County Detention Facility, and Oak Ridge Police Department, and they will be given a presentation by the Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention in reference to substance abuse through awareness, and education. [Read more…]

After police standoff, woman charged with going armed while intoxicated

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Patsy Lee Oliver

Patsy Lee Oliver

Note: This story was updated at 1:40 p.m.

The 62-year-old woman arrested after a four-hour police standoff on Jellico Lane on Monday morning has been charged with possession of a handgun while intoxicated.

Patsy Lee Oliver, of 123 Jellico Lane, had allegedly approached a neighbor carrying a “small frame small caliber handgun” on Monday morning, according to an affidavit filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court. The victim and a witness who lives at the same address as the victim said Oliver appeared to be under the influence of an intoxicant.

Jellico Lane Standoff Police

The Oak Ridge Police Department responds to a Monday morning standoff on Jellico Lane that started after a report of a disturbance involving a gun.

The victim had a cell phone video of Oliver standing at the end of Jellico Lane concealing something behind her back that appeared to be a small black handgun, Oak Ridge Police Department Officer John Thomas said in the affidavit.

“Also in the video, defendant’s actions are as that of an intoxicated person,” Thomas said.

ORPD officers responded to the reported disturbance at about 6:48 a.m. Monday. They eventually made contact with Oliver on her porch and “observed that her speech was slurred and slow,” Thomas said in the affidavit. “Her demeanor was at times erratic, and she was slow and shuffling in her movements.” [Read more…]

Police standoff that starts with report of gun, disturbance ends peacefully

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Jellico Lane Standoff Police

The Oak Ridge Police Department responds to a Monday morning standoff on Jellico Lane that started with a report of a disturbance and a gun.

 

Woman taken into custody after four hours

Note: This story was updated at 4:07 p.m.

A four-hour standoff between the Oak Ridge Police Department and a Jellico Lane resident that started with a report of a disturbance and a gun ended peacefully Monday morning.

The standoff started at about 6:48 a.m. at 123 Jellico Lane, the ORPD said. Initial reports said a firearm was displayed during the neighborhood dispute, according to ORPD Chief Jim Akagi and Lt. John Kelly. Many officers responded, including several from the department’s Crisis Intervention Team, and tactical personnel were called in to help secure the scene, Kelly said.

A CIT officer trained in crisis negotiation was able to talk to the resident, Patsy Oliver, 62, and she was taken into custody at about 10:41 a.m. Oliver was taken to Methodist Medical Center for treatment of an unrelated laceration on her hand and further evaluation, the ORPD said in a Monday afternoon press release.

“Charges against Ms. Oliver are forthcoming,” the press release said. “No further details will be released at this time.” [Read more…]

Student lights desk on fire; RMS bomb threat appears unfounded, ORPD says

Posted at
By 1 Comment

James T. Akagi

James T. Akagi

Note: This story was last updated at 3:58 p.m.

A 16-year-old student at the Alternative School used hand sanitizer and a lighter to ignite another student’s desktop on Wednesday, authorities said.

Students extinguished the fire, and the suspect was arrested at the Alternative School on Thursday. He was processed at the Oak Ridge Police Department on aggravated arson charges and taken to the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Facility in Knoxville, a press release said.

In a separate incident, authorities determined that a report of an alleged bomb threat at Robertsville Middle School on Monday was unfounded, and no criminal charges are expected.

The ORPD said the desk was set on fire just before dismissal at the Alternative School on Wednesday. The Alternative School is next to the Oak Ridge High School and on the same campus. Staff at the Alternative School notified School Resource Office Sherrill Selby about the incident via e-mail. [Read more…]

Pancake Breakfast on May 17 supports Neighborhood Watch

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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 from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 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 and in advance from Neighborhood Watch district leaders and block captains.

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. Block captains, district leaders, and police officers will serve breakfast at the event. [Read more…]

ORAU employees recycle about 10,000 pounds of ‘technotrash,’ paper, shoes

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

ORAU Earth Day

Annabel Fontaine shows off her ORAU Earth Day event T-shirt; the first 75 employees to participate in this event received one of these shirts. (Submitted photos)

For the fifth year in a row, Oak Ridge Associated Universities coordinated an annual event in conjunction with Earth Day to encourage ORAU’s 1,100 employees to bring in unwanted items from home to recycle, a press release said.

As part of this year’s two-day event on April 22-23, ORAU accepted a total of almost 10,000 pounds of technotrash (computers, related accessories, or other electronic items), paper for secure shredding, unwanted medicine as part of Operation Medicine Cabinet in collaboration with the Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention and the Oak Ridge Police Department, and 414 pairs of “gently used” shoes to donate to those in need through the Soles4Souls nonprofit organization, the release said.

“ORAU’s Earth Day event has grown each year since its start in 2010 as many employees use it as a spring cleaning ritual; this event not only helps the environment by recycling unwanted items and those in need with the donation of shoes, it keeps unwanted medicine out of the hands of children or drug abusers with Operation Medicine Cabinet, which was a new element to this year’s event,” said Tom Wantland, ORAU’s director of Environment, Safety, and Health. “Employee feedback shows that employees want to recycle, because it is the right thing to do; as an added incentive, ORAU provides T-shirts to the first 75 employees who participate in the event.” [Read more…]