Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge police host Ask an Officer event on Aug. 28

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The Oak Ridge Police Department will offer an educational Ask an Officer session on personal safety at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Tuesday, August 28, at 1 p.m.

You can join Oak Ridge Police Department Sergeant Shannah Newman and Investigator Wendy Zolkowski for this special program sponsored by the Oak Ridge Senior Center, a press release said. This event is open to participants of any age. Everyone is invited to come out and learn how to become safer and more secure in everyday life, the press release said.

A question and answer session will follow the presentation if time allows. There is no cost for the program, but please call the Oak Ridge Senior Center at (865) 425-3999 to reserve a spot.

Man accused of fleeing from police, driving toward three parked officers

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Laphonso R. Porter

Laphonso R. Porter

An Oak Ridge man is accused of fleeing from police on Wednesday night, driving toward three officers parked in Scarboro, wrecking a car, and running on foot before being arrested.

Laphonso R. Porter, 23, remained jailed in the Anderson County Detention Facility on Thursday night. He has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault, two counts of evading arrest, driving on a suspended license, and reckless endangerment, according to arrest warrants. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch has 5K race, food, fun to raise funds

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Daniel McFee at Citizens Police Academy

Oak Ridge Community Resource Officer Daniel McFee is pictured above during a presentation on bicycle and motorcycle officers during a Citizens Police Academy.

The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program will host a 5K race and community event on April 20 to raise funds for the program.

The race will begin and end on Badger Avenue behind the American Museum of Science and Energy. It will start at 8:30 a.m. and the fun, food, and games will begin at 10 a.m., immediately after the race awards ceremony, a city press release said.

The Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch Program began in 2005 with Sgt. Shannah Newman partnered with a handful of citizens, the release said. The program has since grown to about 1,000 members, 180 blocks, 21 districts, and an executive board of citizen volunteers.

[Read more…]

Citizen’s Police Academy starts Nov. 8

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A police academy that starts next month will give Oak Ridge residents a chance to learn about crime scene investigations, crime prevention and analysis, tactical operations, and the police canine program.

It’s called the Citizen’s Police Academy. The free 12-week academy starts Nov. 8 and ends Jan. 31. Classes are scheduled to meet Thursday evenings from 6–9 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Police Department is now accepting applications for the program, a press release said.

It said the academy will give residents a better understanding of how the ORPD is organized and how each division operates.

“Participants will observe first-hand the daily challenges facing law enforcement professionals,” the release said.

City officials said the goal is to “create and develop a growing nucleus of responsible, well-informed citizens who have the potential to improve community understanding regarding police practices and enhance service delivery.” They hope it will help build a lasting and productive partnership between the ORPD and the community.

“Graduates of the program will fulfill the critical role of providing input and information to their neighborhoods and work environment, which increases citizen involvement on issues of mutual concern,” the release said.

The Citizen’s Police Academy will include classroom and hands-on learning, the release said. Class subjects will include legal reviews, the job of a uniformed police officer, investigations, crime scene investigations, crime prevention, the canine program, tactical operations, crime analysis, and much more.

Participants will be involved in activities such as touring the communications facilities and police department, using police equipment, firing department service weapons, observing canine demonstrations, and touring both the Anderson County Detention Facility and the National Forensic Academy.

The press release said each applicant must complete an application and undergo a criminal background investigation. Applicants must also be at least 21 years of age and must work or live within Oak Ridge. The instructional course will be held at Fire Station #3 on Tuskegee Drive.

To download an application for the Citizen’s Police Academy, visit www.oakridgetn.gov or at the police department.

For more information, call Oak Ridge Police Sgt. Shannah Newman at (865) 425-3519 or e-mail her at [email protected].