Crime /Public safety

By Tamas Mondovics
Editor

It’s the summer storm season. Being ready for the next storm is wise, but what can residents do now to minimize damage?
According to a recent report by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, 341 South Patrick Street, Alexandria, VA, some of the very basics in connection with operation equipments can prevent injury and save heartache.
Included on the list of safety tips are such basic suggestions as trimming branches, clearing debris and to put away lawn furniture and toys.
It is encouraged to decide now on what power equipment one may need. It is advised to run and service equipment before a storm and make sure to have appropriate extension cords.
Do I have the right fuel and are batteries charged? Getting fresh gas and charging batteries in advance is a no brainer.
Where is my safety gear? Placing eye protection, sturdy shoes, and work gloves where you can easily find them may be a simple task but is also a great idea.
Do I know how to use my equipment safely? Review manuals and know how to safely operate equipment.
Keeping safety in mind when it comes to operating chainsaws, generators, utility task vehicles and water pumps.
Chainsaws: Stand firmly with your weight on both feet. Hold the chainsaw with both hands. Never over-reach or cut anything over your head. Anticipate kickback.
Generators: Never place a generator inside a home or garage. Place the generator outside and away from windows, doors, and vents. Before refueling, turn the generator off and let it cool down.
Utility task vehicles (UTVs): Keep the vehicle stable and drive safely. Do not turn the vehicle mid-slope or while on a hill.
Water Pumps: Never operate a centrifugal pump without water in the pump casing.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, international trade association representing power equipment, small engine, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport vehicle manufacturers and suppliers provided the above tips.
If you would rather not receive future communications from The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, let us know by clicking here.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, 341 South Patrick
Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 United States

Studies detail increases in Hate Crime, Violence Impacting Law Enforcement Officers

TBI Report

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released two publications earlier this month, detailing the volume and nature of hate crime in Tennessee and violence directed toward the state’s law enforcement officers.

Among the findings
of ‘Tennessee
Hate Crime 2018’:

•Overall, the number of incidents indicated as bias-motivated increased by 1.0 percent.

•Property-crime related offenses accounted for 24.9 percent, with the remainder of bias-motivated crimes being those designated as being ‘Crimes Against Persons.’

•Assault offenses were the most frequently reported bias-motivated offenses in 2018.

•Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry bias was the most frequently reported known bias in 2018 at 55.6 percent, with Anti-Black/African-American comprising 31.6 percent of the total reported number of hate crime.
Among the findings of ‘Law Enforcement
Officers Killed or Assaulted (LEOKA) 2018’:

•In 2018, there were a total of 2,313 LEOKA victims reported across Tennessee.

•The number of reported LEOKA offenses increased by 27.6 percent from 2015 to 2018.

•The most frequently reported offense was Simple Assault, at 55.8 percent.

“I am very proud of the efforts of all participating law enforcement agencies, to provide the data necessary to produce these reports,” said TBI Director David Rausch. “Our combined efforts have resulted in a successful program that continues to give our state helpful insight on the volume and nature of crime.”
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was born as a result of a highly-publicized murder in Greene County in December of 1949. The heinous crime aroused the emotions of citizens throughout the region. In an address to the Tennessee Press Association in January of 1951, John M. Jones, Sr., publisher of the Greeneville Sun, called for the creation of an unbiased state agency to assist local law enforcement in the investigation of serious crimes.
On March 14, 1951, Governor Gordon Browning signed a bill into law establishing the Tennessee Bureau of Criminal Identification (TBCI) as the “plainclothes” division of the Department of Safety. On March 27, 1980, following a series of legislative hearings, the organization was re-established as an independent agency and renamed the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Since that time, the Bureau has grown significantly, and continues to meet the demands of providing up-to-date investigative, forensic science, and support to Tennessee’s entire criminal justice system. The TBI takes pride in the fact that it has evolved over the years into a respected law enforcement organization with dedicated, professional employees.
Both reports are available for review and download on the TBI’s website: https://www.tn.gov/tbi/divisions/cjis-division/recent-publications.html.

By Tamas Mondovics
Editor

Memorial Day was, of course, the unofficial start of summer and the official opening day for many public pools. That is good news for young and old planning to spend some time at poolside during the next couple of months.
The season also means its is time to review some important safety tips, which the Tennessee Department of Health was also encouraging all to do during this year’s celebration of Healthy and Safe Swimming Week late last month.
“The best way to prevent illnesses associated with swimming is to keep germs out of our swimming areas,” said TDH Medical Epidemiologist Mary-Margaret Fill, MD. “We can all help do that with simple precautions like not swimming when sick, not swallowing swim water, showering before swimming and following directions for pool chemical use, which also helps prevent chemical injuries.”
Safety topics promoted this year by TDH include preventing chemical injuries, avoiding water illnesses, preventing drowning, keeping pools safe.
Please see each topic addressed below:

Prevent Chemical Injuries
• Read and follow directions on product labels
• Wear appropriate safety equipment such as goggles when handling pool chemicals
• Secure pool chemicals to protect people, particularly young children
• Add chemicals poolside ONLY when directed by product labels and when no one is in the water
• NEVER mix different pool chemicals with each other, particularly chlorine products and acid.

Avoid Water Illnesses
Follow these tips to help prevent water-related illness:
• Don’t swim or let your child swim if sick with diarrhea
• Check the pool’s latest inspection score
• Rinse off in the shower for at least one minute before swimming
• Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers
710 James Robertson Parkway • Andrew Johnson Tower, 5th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243 • Tel: 615-741-3111 • tn.gov/health
• Take children on frequent bathroom breaks and/or check diapers often
• Check and change diapers in a bathroom or diaper-changing area, not at poolside
• Don’t swallow the water you swim in
• Read and follow directions for pool chemical use and storage

Prevent Drowning
Follow these tips to help reduce the risk of drowning:
• Make sure everyone knows how to swim
• Use life jackets as directed
• Provide continuous, attentive supervision close to swimmers, even if a lifeguard is present
• Know CPR
• Don’t use alcohol or drugs when swimming or watching swimmers
• Discourage horseplay and stunts
• Prevent access to water when the pool is not in use

TDH Helps Keep Pools Safe
Tennessee Department of Health environmentalists inspect all public pools in the state at least once per month while the pools are in operation. TDH also provides training to pool operators to help ensure compliance with laws and rules for pool
safety.
“Our environmental health specialists review plans for new public swimming pools and inspect public pools, spas and splash pads to make sure these areas meet sanitation, disinfection and safety standards,” said TDH Environmental Health Director Lori LeMaster, REHS. “Tennessee swimmers can stay safe and healthy by following posted pool rules, showering before entering a public pool and staying home and out of the water if they’re sick.”
Those with concerns about sanitation of a public pool can contact the local health department and ask for the environmentalist.
For more information about healthy and safe swimming, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthy Swimming website www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.

By Tamas Mondovics
Editor

There are many heroes that make the difference daily. Some are more visible, while others do much behind the scenes.
One of such entity is the Tennessee Poison Center (TPC), which receives hundreds of calls daily. Its certified physicians, pharmacists, registered nurses, and a board-certified physician toxicologist provide free medical information for
poison emergencies 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
According to TPC in 2018, the Center, housed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, received more than 106,000 calls, including initial cases and follow-up calls, and saved an estimated
$10 million by preventing emergency room visits for the underinsured, thus
saving taxpayers, insurance companies and hospitals money.
TPC officials emphasized that of those calls, 50 percent involved children five years old and younger and approximately 60 percent of exposure calls involved pharmaceuticals. Other common poison exposures included cleaning products and cosmetics.
“Children are naturally curious, and it is so easy to turn your back for a minute with familiar bottles around such as Tylenol or Motrin,” said Donna Seger, MD, executive director of the Tennessee Poison Center. “The staff at the TPC telephone hotline are trained nurses, pharmacists, and physicians who quickly determine whether the dose is non-toxic, and whether the child can stay at
home or needs to be
taken to the emergency department.”
TPC is the only poison center in Tennessee and provides their 24/7 medical hotline to 95 counties and is a member of the Tennessee State Department of Health Commissioner’s Council on Injury Prevention, a group of organizations throughout the state who collaborate to reduce injury deaths in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Poison Center has been a phone call away for more than 30 years and continues to offer its services to more than six million Tennesseans. It is partially funded under a grant
contract with the State of Tennessee.
“The Tennessee Poison Center provides an invaluable service to Tennessee residents that not only saves them time and money from unnecessary trips to the emergency room but saves lives by providing 24-hour access to medical information during a crisis,” Seger said.
In the case of suspecting a poisoning, call Tennessee Poison Center for treatment advice. The Poison Help toll-free number is 1-800-222-1222. All calls are fast, free and confidential.

The Top 10 Counties for Exposures in 2018:
Davidson 12,231
Shelby 11,574
Knox 7,271
Hamilton 5,181
Rutherford 4,107
Montgomery 2,964
Williamson 2,413
Sullivan 2,985
Sumner 2,527
Washington 2,682
Information from the TPC’s 2018 Annual Report

TWRA Press Release

NASHVILLE — An amendment passed in the Tennessee General Assembly this year requires persons who rent motorized watercraft be given an orientation for the specific type of vessel being rented.
The renter of the watercraft must sign off in acknowledgement after completion of the orientation. The marina or any other rental entity will keep the acknowledgement on file for at least a 30-day period.
Tennessee residents who have successfully completed a monitored National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) exam and hold the TWRA-issued wallet certification card are exempt from this orientation. Any out of state visitor, who holds a NASBLA-approved boating safety education certification, is also exempt as is any person who holds a United States Coast Guard operator license.
Tennessee residents born after Jan. 1, 1989 are required to pass a boater education exam administered by an approved representative of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in order to operate any motorized vessel over 8.5 horsepower. Out of state residents born after Jan. 1, 1989 must show proof of successful completion of NASBLA
approved boating safety course. Non-resident certification may be from their home state or any state issued course.
Tennessee residents born after the Jan.1, 1989 can purchase a Type 600 Exam Permit online or from any hunting and fishing license vendor for a cost of $10 and go to a testing location to take the exam or take a class. Locations for testing and for classes can be found on the TWRA website under the boating section. For study materials, telephone (615) 781-6682.

By Bethany Anderson

There are many specialty license plates available in the state of Tennessee which people use them to show their support for various causes or to show their status as a veteran for example. Specialty plates cost an extra $35.00 each year in Tennessee. The money collected from the additional costs of these plates goes towards each of the causes represented on them. Each plate must have enough interest and support represented in their purchases to remain available though.
In 2016, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Tennessee lost their specialty license plates after drivers failed to purchase the required minimum number to keep the plates in circulation.
However, Senator Paul Bailey has granted MADD Tennessee another chance. If MADD can pre-sell 1000 plates before June 30, 2019, the design will be back in circulation. It is a daunting challenge, but more is at stake than just a decorative license plate.
“Our plates serve as rolling billboards to bring awareness to the issue drunk and/or drugged driving, and what better place to have a message regarding highway safety?” said Norris Skelley, MADD Tennessee State Board member. Not only do these license plates raise awareness, but the proceeds MADD receives from each plate helps fund their Victim Services Program–which provides help to those that have been affected by impaired driving–at no cost to the victims and their families. It is a critical source of funding that was lost when the plates were discontinued.
Anyone interested in pre-ordering a MADD plate should visit tnmaddplates.com and sign up. When the minimum of 1,000 pre-orders has been reached, then the $35.00 per plate will be due.
“Our plates are used to raised awareness about drunk/drugged driving, raise the necessary funding for victim services and to honor victims of impaired driving crashes, Skelley said
While there is currently no Johnson County Chapter of MADD, several locals have been working on starting one for quite some time, but have not gotten the needed support to do so.
Jeanie Linton, the mother of Jadey Dunn who was tragically killed by a drunk driver in Mountain City 20 years ago, has been trying since then to start a local chapter for Johnson County.
“We never could get the support we needed to have enough people to commit to it for MADD to let us have a chapter here,” said Linton. “I’m not ready to give up though.”
For more information regarding MADD Tennessee specialty license plates, contact Norris Skelley at norrisskelley@gmail.com or 931-261-4168.
For more information about starting a Johnson County MADD chapter, please contact the Tennessee State Office at tn.state@madd.org or 615-360-8055.

New status report reveals 24.4 percent increase in suicide deaths among children ages 10-17.

Staff Report

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Each day we lose three Tennesseans to suicide, now the ninth leading cause of death in Tennessee. In 2017, there were 142 youth deaths by suicide, representing the twenty-four (10-24) age group, with 51 of these representing children between the ages of ten to seventeen (10-17). Suicide by children increased by
24.4 percent from 2016 to 2017; and more alarmingly, suicide by children increased by 54.5 percent from 2015 to 2017.
“One death by suicide is one death too many,” said Scott Ridgway, Executive Director of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN). “Given the stark increase in death by suicide among children, we are working with Governor-elect Bill Lee’s transition team to impress the importance of saving all lives in Tennessee and improving our prevention efforts.”
The Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Health Statistics reports there were 1,163 recorded suicide
deaths in Tennessee in 2017, up from 1,110 the previous year. The suicide rate increased from 16.7 to 17.3 per 100,000. Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in Tennessee during 2014 – 2016.
The “2019 Status of Suicide in Tennessee” report provides state legislators, mental health professionals, and the general public with information on the problem of suicide in our state and what is being done to prevent it. Each year’s edition includes a detailed report on suicide trends within Tennessee, both overall and by age, race, gender, and geography. The complete report is available on the TSPN website at http://tspn.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/TSPN-Status-of-Suicide-2019.pdf.
As TSPN staff, its many volunteers, and the innumerable suicide prevention advocates across the state know, Tennessee is a national model with our efforts for suicide prevention. With that said, we must, as a state, increase our efforts to combat this public health crisis. For every number and rate that is provided in the “2019 Status of Suicide in Tennessee” report, a family member, loved one, neighbor, co-worker, and friend suffers an unimaginable loss. To learn how to get involved with TSPN or to request a suicide prevention training visit our website, http://tspn.org/.

Johnson County’s bullet and stab protective vest recipient, Rico and his Handler, T.J. Brown pose for a photo in Mountain City. Rico received the protective gear from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. a 501c(3) charity organization located in East Taunton, MA. The vest was donated to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in memory of K9 Josey of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, TN.” Submitted photo.

By Tamas Mondovics

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office K9 Rico and his deputy handler JCSO Deputy T.J. Brown is ready to face the next chase, thanks to a brand new addition to Rico’s protective gear.
Rico received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a generous donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. a 501c(3) charity organization located in East Taunton, MA,
With respect and honor of K9 units across the nation, the vest is embroidered with the sentiment, “In memory of K9 Josey, Union County Sheriff’s Office, TN”.
“I am very grateful for the donation and appreciate what Vested Interest is doing for our K9 deputy-partners,” Brown said.
Brown, a longtime law enforcement veteran, who has been with Rico for more than three years emphasized that a lot of smaller departments do not have the funds to provide such protective gear. “Receiving this vest is a priceless piece of armor we need and shows the great support on behalf of our K9s.”
As referenced by Brown, such armor is by no means cheap and for a good reason as it saves lives. That is a K9 officer’s lives. There is an estimated 30,000-law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
The donation to provide one protective vest for law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest reportedly has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs.
“K9s are trained to wear harnesses so this vest does not hinder Rico to get the job done,” Brown said.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc’s mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.
The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., provided more than 3,300 protective vests in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million.
The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.
“Our K9 team here at Johnson County continues to work very hard to keep our community safe and protected as they are a huge asset to the department,” said Johnson County Sheriff, Eddie Tester.
Tester added that along with the department’s K9 recipient Rico and his handler T.J. Brown, the whole K9 team and department at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Vested Interest in K9’s, for the opportunity to be selected for the bullet and stab protective vest. “We are grateful for the donation made in memory of K9 Josey.”
For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

By Tamas Mondovics and Denise Woods

The Johnson County Sherriff’s Department in collaboration with Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the A.C.T.I.O.N Coalition Inc., conducted alcohol compliance checks among seven businesses licensed to sell alcoholic beverages in the region.
Compliance checks of licensed establishments are conducted on a regular basis. To prevent underage sales of alcoholic beverages, TABC law enforcement agents use minor decoys who attempt to purchase alcohol from TABC licensed establishments including restaurants, bars, liquor stores, and retail stores.
Minor compliance checks are an integral part of protecting our youth against underage drinking by ensuring that licensed establishments comply with the state laws against sales of alcohol to minors.

“The goal is to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors before
tragedy strikes.”Chief Law
Enforcement Officer,
Bond Tubbs.

ACTION Coalition would like to commend local businesses including Big Louis’, Doe Valley Food Mart, Dollar General (Butler) who demonstrated responsible alcohol sales during the recent compliance checks.
“Compliance checks are an effective environmental strategy in reducing underage drinking,” said Denise Woods, with ACTION Coalition. “Underage drinking contributes to car crashes, injuries, vandalism, unwanted sexual encounters, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and death by alcohol poisoning as well as a risk of developing alcohol use disorders. By themselves, compliance checks will not eliminate youth access to alcohol. However, when combined with a comprehensive community approach, they can help keep alcohol out of the hands of kids.”
Statistics have shown that compliance checks help to reduce the percentages on non-compliant retailers statewide.
According to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 1663 compliance checks in 2015 showed a 22 percent non-compliance rate, while in 2018 the 1696 compliance checks showed a drop to a 13 percent non-compliance rate.
The Tennessee Highway safety commission awarded a $125,000 grant to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission in December 2018 to prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries by addressing the illegal sale of alcohol to minors (under 21 years of age).
“The goal is to prevent the sales of alcohol to minors before tragedy strikes,” said Chief Law Enforcement Officer Bond Tubbs. “These funds from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office allow us to allocate more resources to the prevention of sales to minors, and in turn, help prevent traffic collisions and traffic-related deaths that might result from underage drinking.”
TABC will use grant funds to deploy law enforcement personnel to areas of the state that have experienced a significant number of DUI related arrests and collisions. It will also assign agents to work at high profile events such as festivals, sporting events, and concerts.
Selling alcohol to a minor not only affects the minor and the clerk but also the business. The Sheriff’s Department and Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission initiated citations to one business notifying them of failing to comply with TN laws regarding the sale of alcohol to minors. Retailers who sell to an underage buyer are referred to the Johnson County Beer Board for failing to comply with the state’s alcohol laws.
Responsible Beverage Server Training is available through the A.C.T.I.O.N Coalition to any outlet or individual that serves or sells alcohol. The five-hour training goes into depth about behavior cues and intoxication rate factors of intoxication, Dram Shop Liability, and Common Negligence laws, B.A.C, tolerance, alcohol proof amounts, and proper ID checking.
Responsible Beverage Server Training can also reduce insurance costs for the outlet and possibility reduces fines imposed through the courts.
For more information, please call 423-727-0780. Denise Woods is the Prevention Coordinator at A.C.T.I.O.N Coalition, Inc. in Mountain City.