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KPD e-News Release: K.P.D. Detectives Solicit Public Assistance in Learning Identity of Debit Card Fraud Suspect

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Kingsport Police Department

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: K.P.D. Detectives Solicit Public Assistance in Learning Identity of Debit Card Fraud Suspect
DATE: April 21, 2017
CASE #: 17-005610 (Debit Card Fraud x5 on 3/6/2017)

17-005611 (Debit Card Fraud x1 on 3/8/2017)

17-005612 (Debit Card Fraud x1 on 3/9/2017)
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On March 10, 2017 an 84 year old resident of Kingsport reported her Eastman Credit Union debit card missing to the Kingsport Police Department. The card had left her possession under unknown circumstances and has since been canceled.

Upon contacting ECU, she learned that the card had been used without her consent to make fraudulent purchases on at least seven different occasions. Five of these charges occurred on March 6, 2017 alone and totaled nearly $800. A sixth charge occurred on March 8, 2017 for $5. The final charge occurred on March 9, 2017 for $7.13 at FasMart #470, located at 817 Lynn Garden Drive in Kingsport.

A white male suspect was captured on store surveillance footage during that final transaction, and a photograph taken from that footage has been included in this release. Anyone who recognizes him is asked to contact Detectives in 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

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Searching for Missing 67 Year Old Man

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Kingsport Police Department

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Kingsport Police Searching for Missing 67 Year Old Man
DATE: April 19, 2017
CASE #: 17-008974
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On April 19, 2017 at approximately 7:40 PM, Donald C. Pierson was visiting Bays Mountain Park, located at 853 Bays Mountain Park Road in Kingsport. He was visiting the animal habitat with the rest of his party, but left to walk back to the car alone. When the rest of his party returned to the car, Mr. Pierson was nowhere to be found and has not been seen or heard from since.

Kingsport Police personnel are currently in the process of searching for him in and around the Bays Mountain Park area. It is also entirely possible that someone may have picked him up and given him a ride out of the park.

Mr. Pierson is a 67 year old white male adult with diabetes. He is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds. He was last seen wearing jeans, a dark colored t-shirt, a blue ball cap, and brown shoes. His photograph is included with this release.

Anyone who sees him or knows his current whereabouts is asked to immediately contact the Kingsport Police Department 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
MISSING PERSON INFORMATION
Name Donald C. Pierson
Age 67 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Kingsport, TN
Height/

Weight

 5 feet 6 inches

250 pounds
Clothing Jeans

Dark Colored T-Shirt

Blue Ball Cap

Brown Shoes
Additional Information Mr. Pierson is Diabetic

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

kingsport 100 logo

Cindy Saadeh Centennial Art Winner

Cindy Saadeh Fine Art Gallery was honored to receive eight entries for their Centennial Art Contest. “It was a very tough decision,” said Michael Ripper, gallery manager.

The first place winner is Sidney Moore of Kingsport. She painted a beautiful image of Wallace News Stand with acrylic paint in black and white.  Moore describes Wallace News as a “spot that is saturated in history” and it captures the “quaintness and intimacy of small town Kingsport.” You can see her artwork featured at the gallery.

The runner up was Kathy Hawk of Kingsport. Her artwork, titled ‘Spring in Kingsport,’ shows the most beautiful time in Kingsport. “We are blessed with so much natural beauty, it’s breathtaking,” said Hawk.

The other entries were Tabitha Hibbetts, “Canadian Goose of Kingsport,” two entries from Lucy Cleek, “Wallace News” and “Sunset at J. Fred Johnson Stadium,” and two entries from Leslie Davis, “Bird Sanctuary” and “TriCities Produce.”

For more information, please visit www.cindysaadeh.com.

Winner, Sidney Moore. Title Wallace NewsRunner up, Kathy Hawk.

KPD e-News Release: The City of Kingsport is Accepting Applications in an Effort to Fill Five Police Officer Vacancies (Final Notice)

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Kingsport Police Department

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: The City of Kingsport is Accepting Applications in an Effort to Fill Five Police Officer Vacancies (Final Notice)
DATE: April 17, 2017
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Reminder: This is the final notice. There is only one week remaining to apply to become a Kingsport Police Officer. All applications must be submitted online, no later than April 23, 2017, using the following link:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/Careers/Kingsport

Applicants are strongly encouraged to order and begin studying their study guide(s) immediately. Study guides are available for purchase at the following link:

http://www.publicsafetycompass.com

A short highlight video of the Kingsport Police Department has been made available for viewing on the K.P.D. YouTube channel via the following link:

https://youtu.be/UMgNSEFmCTA

Detailed information regarding the application and upcoming testing process as previously released follows:

The City of Kingsport Human Resources Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. The Kingsport Police Department is hoping to hire at least five (5) new officers out of this application process to fill existing vacancies. Applications will be accepted beginning March 25, 2017 until April 23, 2017.

Individuals who are interested in a career in law enforcement are encouraged to apply. All applicants must either already be at least 21 years of age or be turning 21 by no later than November 16, 2017. Applicants are asked to only submit their application once, as weeding out duplicate applications hampers efficiency. All applications must be submitted online using the following link:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/Careers/Kingsport

Following the April 23rd deadline, all applicants will receive a confirmation email, as well as a letter by traditional mail, containing further instructions regarding the upcoming police applicant testing procedures. All applicants will undergo a series of assessments, beginning with a written examination on the morning of May 16, 2017. The written examination will be administered at the Civic Auditorium, located at 1550 Fort Henry Drive in Kingsport.

While not a requirement, applicants are strongly encouraged to invest in the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) “Entry-Level Police” study guide or “Police Study Guide Bundle” to assist them in preparing for this examination. These study guides are currently priced very reasonably at $20 and $30 respectively and are available for purchase at the following link:

http://www.publicsafetycompass.com

Applicants who successfully pass the written examination will advance forward to a physical agility evaluation the same afternoon. The physical agility evaluation will consist of a timed one-mile run and a timed roughly one-quarter-mile obstacle course designed to measure fitness, strength, agility, and endurance as related to the duties of a Police Officer.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in a voluntary practice session for the physical agility evaluation. This session will take place on May 2, 2017 at 1:00 PM (two weeks prior to the actual test date) at Domtar Park, located at 1414 Riverport Road in Kingsport. Individuals must have an application on file and sign a waiver in order to be eligible to participate in this practice session.

A series of interviews will follow the written examination and physical agility evaluation, beginning with an interview panel and ultimately an interview with the Chief of Police, to further vet the top performing candidates and determine the final selections.

The current starting salary for Police Officer Trainee is $15.76 per hour or $32,791 annually. Applicants who are already certified law enforcement officers may be eligible for a salary adjustment to compensate for prior experience if certain criteria are met. Academy training and all essential equipment including uniforms, firearms, body armor, and duty gear are provided by the department. K.P.D. also issues take-home police cruisers to officers meeting specific residency requirements.

City of Kingsport employee benefits include direct payroll deposit; paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; employee life insurance; optional supplemental and dependent life insurance; long-term disability; health insurance; optional dental insurance; flexible spending accounts; ICMA RC 401 retirement; and optional ICMA RC 457 retirement.

A short highlight video of the Kingsport Police Department has been made available for viewing on the K.P.D. YouTube channel via the following link:

https://youtu.be/UMgNSEFmCTA

For additional information regarding the application process, please call the City of Kingsport Human Resources Department at 423-229-9401. For additional information regarding a law enforcement career at the Kingsport Police Department, please call the K.P.D. Public Information Officer at 423-229-9433.
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

KPD e-News Release: Thief Jailed After Being Caught in the Act of Attempting to Steal Drugs out of K.P.D. Drug Disposal Box

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Kingsport Police Department

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Thief Jailed After Being Caught in the Act of Attempting to Steal Drugs out of K.P.D. Drug Disposal Box
DATE: April 15, 2017
CASE #: 17-008486
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On April 14, 2017 at approximately 5:45 PM, Marcos D. DeMoura was promptly apprehended in the Kingsport Justice Center lobby, after being caught red-handed in the act of attempting to fish prescription drugs out of the Kingsport Police Department’s drug disposal box.

His crime was quickly detected while still in progress, as the box is highly secure and closely monitored by video surveillance cameras that feed to multiple monitors spaced throughout the Justice Center. An alert K.P.D. Corrections Officer is credited with spotting Mr. DeMoura’s crime. This easily thwarted attempt should serve as a deterrent and a prime example of “what not to do” for other thieves with similarly foolish ideas.

This crime also paints a grim but accurate picture of just how addictive prescription drugs can be, that a desperate individual would actually resort to committing a crime inside a law enforcement agency’s headquarters in order to obtain them. Unfortunately, high risk-low yield crimes such as these have become more and more commonplace since the prescription drug epidemic first surfaced.

Mr. DeMoura was charged with 1) Theft of Property Under $1,000, 2) Possession of a Schedule IV Drug, Possession of a Schedule V Drug, and 2 counts of Possession of a Legend Drug without a Prescription. He was escorted just down the hall to the Kingsport City Jail. Regrettably, he was able to secure his release just over 3 hours later after posting a $3,750 bond as set by the presiding magistrate.

K.P.D.’s drug disposal box, dubbed “Project: Drug Drop Zone” is one of 224 permanent collection bins across the State of Tennessee for the safe disposal of expired, unwanted, or unused medications to include prescription drugs, over the counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, minerals, supplements, and even veterinary medications. The box is not designed for either illegal drugs or sharps (syringes).

K.P.D.’s drug disposal box was installed in January 2012, and has been more successful than anyone could have possibly predicted or even imagined. To date it has led to the incineration of nearly 8,000 pounds (4 tons) of drugs. The ultimate goals of this program are to prevent overdoses and accidental poisonings, protect the environment, and decrease addiction by keeping drugs from being diverted into the wrong hands.

K.P.D.’s box was donated to the department by the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI). These safe drug disposal programs are highly endorsed and supported by national, state, and local organizations to include the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and the Sullivan County Anti-Drug (SCAD) Coalition.

On a related note, “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day” is just around the corner. It is scheduled for April 29, 2017 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. While this 4-hour period is set aside to help draw attention and support for these programs, drugs can be dropped off almost anytime at any of the 224 bins across the state. The bin at the Kingsport Justice Center is conveniently accessible 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year.
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name Marcos D. DeMoura
Age Date of Birth 1/3/1980

37 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency 2917 Viewforth Court

Kingsport, TN
Charge(s) 1) Theft of Property Under $1,000

2) Possession of a Schedule IV Drug

3) Possession of a Schedule V Drug

4) Possession of a Legend Drug Without a Prescription (2 counts)

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

KPD e-News Release: Chronic Traffic Offender Earns Second Trip to Jail in Same Day After Rear-Ending Sheriff’s Transport Van

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Kingsport Police Department

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Chronic Traffic Offender Earns Second Trip to Jail in Same Day After Rear-Ending Sheriff’s Transport Van
DATE: April 13, 2017
CASE #: 17-007727 (Previous Driving on Revoked License Arrest)

17-008355 (Morning Arrest)

17-008405 (Afternoon Crash)

17-008406 (Afternoon Arrest)
GENERAL NARRATIVE
A chronic traffic offender has earned a third trip to the Kingsport City Jail in the past eight days, two of which were on the same day. His most recent arrest occurred after he rear-ended a Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office prisoner transport van while apparently driving under the influence.

On April 13, 2017 at approximately 7:30 AM, an officer assigned to the Kingsport Police Department Traffic Unit was traveling westbound on Main Street in Downtown Kingsport, when he noticed a green Ford Ranger pickup weaving back and forth ahead of him. The pickup crossed the double yellow line on two separate occasions and the officer observed that the driver appeared be looking down at something in his lap rather than watching the roadway ahead.

A traffic stop ensued, during which the driver presented a TN Identification Only card, identifying himself as Justin Wayne Porter. Mr. Porter told the officer that he had been attempting to send a text message to his employer to tell him that he was going to be late. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Porter’s driver license was revoked as a result of a total of three previous convictions for Driving Under the Influence. He also could not provide proof of insurance.

He was arrested for Driving on a Revoked License, Texting While Driving, Driving Left of Center, and Violation of Financial Responsibility Law (No Insurance) and transported to the Kingsport City Jail. Mr. Porter was later released approximately two hours later after posting bond.

That same afternoon, at approximately 4:00 PM, Mr. Porter was traveling north on Clinchfield Street near Sullivan Street, still in Downtown Kingsport, in the same green Ford Ranger pickup, when he rear-ended a Ford E-350 van. The van in question was a prisoner transport van owned and operated by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. The van was loaded with two SCSO deputies and eleven prisoners on a routine transport between the Kingsport Justice Center and the Sullivan County Jail in Blountville.

Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to the scene to investigate. Officers noticed that Mr. Porter appeared disoriented and exhibited several common indicators of impairment to include glazed bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. He performed poorly on a subsequent series of field sobriety tasks. He did not appear injured and declined any medical attention.

Mr. Porter was arrested for Driving Under the Influence (4th offense), Driving on a Revoked License, Following Too Closely, and Violation of Financial Responsibility Law (No Insurance). He was transported to the Kingsport City Jail. Mr. Porter later refused to submit to a Legal Blood Chemical test, netting the additional charge of Violation of Implied Consent.

A Legal Blood Chemical sample was later collected anyway after a search warrant was obtained by the arresting officer. That sample will be forwarded to the T.B.I. Crime Laboratory for analysis. Mr. Porter remains confined in the Kingsport Jail awaiting arraignment.

Mr. Porter’s earlier arrest for Driving on Revoked License occurred just over a week ago on April 5th at the Roadrunner Market, located at 120 West Stone Drive. In that incident, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers were responding to a complaint of a reckless driver when they observed Mr. Porter sitting in the driver’s seat of the same green Ford Ranger pickup, in the act of scratching off lottery tickets. At the time of this arrest, the keys were in the ignition and he was the sole occupant of the pickup, clearly establishing that he was in physical control of the vehicle.
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name Justin Wayne Porter
Age Date of Birth 4/26/1983

33 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency 505 Feathers Court

Kingsport, TN
Charge(s) Morning Incident

1) Driving on Revoked License

2) Texting While Driving

3) Driving Left of Center

4) Violation of Financial Responsibility Law (No Insurance)

Afternoon Incident

1) Driving Under the Influence (4th Offense)

2) Violation of Implied Consent

3) Driving on Revoked License

4) Following Too Closely

5) Violation of Financial Responsibility Law (No Insurance)

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

KPD e-News Release: Pickup Crashes into West Stone Drive Residence

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Kingsport Police Department

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Pickup Crashes into West Stone Drive Residence
DATE: April 13, 2017
CASE #: 17-008414
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On April 13, 2017 at approximately 5:30 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers and Crash Reconstructionist were called to the scene of a motor vehicle collision in the 1900 block of West Stone Drive in Kingsport. Their subsequent investigation revealed the following:

A white 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck was eastbound in the 1900 block of West Stone Drive, when for unknown reasons, the truck swerved to the left. The truck crossed over the median, through the oncoming westbound traffic lanes, exited the roadway, traveled up an embankment, and crashed into an adjacent residence.

While a family of four were home and inside the residence at the time, none of them appear to have been injured by the collision. First responders discovered that the adult male driver of the pickup was experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency that appeared to have occurred independent of the crash, and was quite possibly the cause of the crash.

Sullivan County E.M.S. responded and transported the driver to a local emergency medical facility where he was admitted in critical condition. This remains an open and active crash investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit, and as such, no additional details will be released at this time.
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

police badge

Kingsport Police Department Meets Nation’s Highest Law Enforcement Standards

On Saturday, March 25, 2017, the Kingsport Police Department’s Chief of Police, David Quillin, appeared before the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in Mobile, Alabama. Chief Quillen accepted the “Meritorious Advanced Gold Standard with Excellence Reaccreditation” on behalf of the Kingsport Police Department. This award is reserved for agencies that have been continuously accredited for 25 years or more.

The Kingsport Police Department has now been successfully through the accreditation process eight times.  First accredited through CALEA in 1992, the department has since maintained accreditation for a quarter century.

“CALEA Accreditation continues to give the Kingsport Police Department the ability to hold our facilities, our policies, our individual officers, and our department as a whole to the absolute highest standards of professional law enforcement services,” said Chief Quillen.

CALEA Accreditation requires proof of compliance with 484 highly regarded and broadly recognized professional law enforcement standards.  The standards help law enforcement agencies to strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities, formalize essential management procedures, establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices, improve service-delivery, solidify interagency cooperation and coordination, and boost citizen and staff confidence in the agency.

The major benefits of CALEA Accreditation include greater accountability within the agency, reduced risk and liability exposure, stronger defense against civil litigation, staunch support from government officials, and increased community advocacy.

For additional information regarding CALEA Accreditation, please visit www.CALEA.org.

kingsport police dept

Hamilton: The Balloon-Loving Giraffe

giraffe mural

If you haven’t driven down Main Street recently, you haven’t met Hamilton, the whimsical giraffe creation by Payton Miller. Miller’s giraffe mural in included in the Public Mural Program, part of the OneKingsport initiative.

Miller is the famous UT rock painter. She’s painted murals on ‘The Rock’ over 18 times, each featuring a special design she does freehand from a mental sketch. Now, she’s putting her skills to the test with her first mural in her hometown.

“When Anne Greenfield and I first discussed the mural, she described “The 101” building as “the most forgettable building in Kingsport,” said Miller.

Miller and Greenfield, who has known Miller for most of her young life, were determined to change this perception with a mural on the side of building facing Main Street. Miller chose the giraffe because she loves painting animals. She also had not yet taken on the challenge of completing one with spray paint.

“It’s important for me to have painted something lasting in spray cans, as most of my work in Knoxville is fleeting,” Miller said with a smile. “I’ve lived in Kingsport my whole life. It’s a major part of my identity and I carry Kingsport with me wherever I go. It’s pretty neat to think I’ve left a part of myself behind in it, too.”

Balloons were an addition for a whimsical feel. The three balloons on the right provide an opportunity for people to interact with the painting for pictures. Viewers will also notice bends in the giraffe’s tail meant to resemble a lightning bolt for the future logo of High Voltage, a venue that will serve beer and host food trucks.

The giraffe’s name also wasn’t on accident. Hamilton received the most votes on ‘The 101’ Facebook page during the naming contest.

Retail stores Style and Picsee, along with High Voltage, will be open at the grand opening of ‘The 101’ building at First Thursday Sip N Stroll on May 4. For more information, please call 423-963-1615 or visit ‘The 101’ on Facebook.

Payton Miller and giraffe
Nancy Fender

Highlighting Heroes: Communications Supervisor for Kingsport Dispatch

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Nancy Fender

Nancy Fender – First Responder in Kingsport

Her job is to get help to the citizens of Kingsport when they need it most.

Nancy Fender is the communications supervisor for the City of Kingsport. She leads the team of 18 dispatchers that respond to all 911 calls. Nancy makes sure emergency responders and residents get critical information during an emergency.

Nancy oversees the department that encourages the citizens of Kingsport to feel safe and protected, but her job entails much more than that. Her responsibilities include training operators, troubleshooting technology and keeping detailed operator call records. She works as city liaison to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, informing them of statewide issues and concerns. Nancy is always working to make the city a safer place.

Over 29 years with this department, Nancy has witnessed a lot of changes take place. She could recall one change in particular that lead to the most memorable moment in her career.

“In 1991, dispatch decided to start training responders on what to do during basic medical emergency situations,” explained Nancy. “This new training gave us the ability to help callers with CPR or emergency first aid instructions until paramedics got onto the scene.”

Two weeks after completing her training, Nancy took a call that would put her training into action – a woman was giving birth and needed help.

“After asking a few questions it became clear that the birth was happening immediately,” recalled Nancy. She stayed on the phone with the woman, gave her instructions and helped ensure her daughter and new grandson made it safely through the birth.

“I’ll never forget that experience. I helped bring a new life into the world, and probably saved the mother’s life in the process.”

To everyone she works with, Nancy’s pride and commitment to her position in the city is obvious. Her leadership, dedication, and compassion have earned her statewide recognition. Her outstanding work has earned her the award for the Telecommunications Supervisor of the Year for the state of Tennessee. Nancy goes ‘above and beyond’ her duties to help the people of Kingsport whenever she can.

Nancy Fender is one of many emergency dispatchers all over the country who work tirelessly to help people around them. In recognition of their efforts, April 9 – 15 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

This weeklong period is a time to celebrate and thank people who dedicate their lives to serving the public, like Nancy. To find out more about National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, please visit www.npstw.org.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee