200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

An unknown white male suspect entered the store empty-handed and left shortly thereafter carrying an Optima battery ($215.00 value) for which he had not paid. An Advance Auto Parts employee promptly followed the suspect out of the store to confront him.

By sheer coincidence, an off-duty Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was a customer in the store at the time. Seeing the commotion, he elected to step in and assist. The deputy approached the suspect in the parking lot as he got into a vehicle.

The deputy identified himself as a law enforcement officer and reached inside the vehicle to turn off the ignition. Simultaneously, the suspect sped away in the vehicle, dragging the deputy a short distance alongside it. The deputy sustained some minor scrapes and bruises during the incident.

As the suspect fled, his vehicle also struck an uninvolved and unoccupied vehicle parked in the lot. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a white Honda Civic or similarly styled vehicle. It had black rims and a loud exhaust note. There is a possibility of minor damage to the front driver’s side corner of the vehicle as a result of the collision.

There was also an unidentified female passenger in the suspect’s vehicle at the time of the incident.

Surveillance photos of the suspect entering the store empty-handed and leaving the store carrying the battery have been included with this release. There is also a photo included of what is believed to be the suspect’s vehicle as it was captured by a traffic camera while being driven away.

Anyone who recognizes this suspect or his vehicle, or who may know the identity of him or his female passenger, or who may have any additional information which may assist Detectives with this investigation is asked to contact the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

https://www.kingsporttn.gov/city-services/police-department/contact-us

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

In 2017, the Kingsport Police Department, just like the city it serves, will be turning 100 years old. While researching old photographs in preparation for the upcoming centennial celebration, it was discovered that the earliest police officers in Kingsport wore an all dark blue uniform. This early uniform can be seen in the 1925 photograph included in this release. By the 1950s, K.P.D. had transitioned to a uniform consisting of a gray shirt and navy blue pants that would become the standard for the next 60 plus years.

For quite some time, K.P.D. has been discussing the possibility of a change in uniforms, and it has been decided that transitioning back to uniforms in the original color would be a great way to celebrate and commemorate the rich history and 100th birthday of this police department. While the original K.P.D. uniforms from a century ago were most likely constructed of very heavy wool, the new uniforms will be fashioned from more modern lightweight materials and will be significantly more comfortable.

Though the new look most certainly pays homage to the early days of the Kingsport Police Department, it also has an up-to-date style, more in line with today’s most progressive law enforcement agencies. An updated badge has been designed to accompany the new uniforms. The transition to the new uniforms will be at no additional cost to the taxpayers, as K.P.D. already has a line item in the budget each year for uniforms. The citizens of Kingsport will begin to see officers wearing this new uniform effective Tuesday, November 1, 2016.

Officers will have three basic uniform options available to them year around, depending on the weather and their assignment. The Class A uniform will consist of a long-sleeve solid navy blue shirt and tie, the Class B uniform will consist of an open-collar long-sleeve solid navy blue shirt, and the Class C uniform will consist of an open-collar short-sleeve solid navy blue shirt. All three options will be worn with matching solid navy blue trousers.

Photographs of officers dressed in all three new uniform options accompany this release. Citizens are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this new look of the Kingsport Police Department to alleviate any confusion or concerns during future law enforcement encounters.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com

K.P.D. Patrol Officers will be keeping an eye out on Halloween for anyone with mischief on their minds. Several laws and ordinances that are in force year around are particularly applicable to Halloween. Citizens are reminded that even on Halloween, it is unlawful in the City of Kingsport for anyone 16 years of age or older to wear a mask in public.

Parents are urged to remind their teenagers that the State laws prohibiting vandalism also apply to juvenile acts such as rolling yards with toilet paper or throwing eggs at parked cars or houses. Even if no permanent damage is done, it is still considered criminal vandalism if the act causes the property owner an inconvenience by having to clean it up. It is also both illegal and extremely dangerous to throw any object at a moving vehicle.

And those pranksters out there who find humor in frightening other people are urged to use some common sense and not take it too far. Remember that it is considered a criminal assault to intentionally or knowingly cause another person to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury or death. This typically would not apply if someone were to attend a haunted house or the like on their own volition.

When it comes to candy collecting children, the Kingsport Police Department is a strong advocate of the “Trunk or Treat” and “Fall Festival” concepts as safer alternatives to traditional door-to-door Trick or Treating.

Rather than having costumed kids wandering along dark neighborhood streets, knocking on the doors of complete strangers, Trunk or Treat and Fall Festival events are typically held in cordoned off and well-lit parking lots or enclosed venues and are sponsored by reputable business, churches, or other community organizations.

Furthermore, most of these events also include food, games, activities, and/or costume contests. There will be several Trunk or Treats and Fall Festivals taking place throughout the Kingsport area in the coming days, giving kids multiple opportunities to sport their costumes and collect goodies.

With that being said, on Monday, October 31, 2016, traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating is certainly an option. For those choosing this historically popular activity, the Kingsport Police Department offers the following tips:

Walk Safely

● Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.

● Look left, right, and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross.

● Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.

● Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

● Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.

● Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Trick or Treat With an Adult

● Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe

● Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.

● Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.

● Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.

● When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Drive Extra Safely on Halloween

● Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

● Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.

● Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.

● Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

● Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.

● Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Inspect Candy Before Eating

● Don’t snack! Save the treats until you get home and can inspect the candy for loose or torn wrappers. Be cautious about keeping goodies that might pose as a choking hazard.

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit