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KPD e-News Release: K.P.D. Issuing Thanksgiving Traffic Safety and Seatbelt Reminder

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: K.P.D. Issuing Thanksgiving Traffic Safety and Seatbelt Reminder
DATE: November 26, 2019
GENERAL NARRATIVE
The Kingsport Police Department would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving 2019 and encourage citizens to take a moment to ask themselves, “Who are you thankful for?” If you are thankful for them, make sure they wear a seatbelt. It just might save their life.

This Thanksgiving, whether you are Black Friday shopping or traveling to visit loved ones, the Kingsport Police Department and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office want you to Arrive Alive, so we are taking this opportunity to remind you to Buckle Up, Tennessee. Every trip, Every time.

In the State of Tennessee, violations of occupant protection laws are considered primary offenses, meaning that if an officer observes a motorist not wearing a seatbelt, or a child not properly restrained in a child passenger safety seat, the officer may stop and cite the motorist for the seatbelt or child passenger safety seat violation without observing any other criminal or traffic offenses.

Occupant protection laws apply not just to the driver, but to every individual in the automobile. At the age of 16, a passenger assumes personal responsibility for the wearing of their seatbelt and would receive their own citation for not wearing one; however, the driver would be cited for each passenger under the age of 16 who is not properly restrained.

Wearing a seatbelt can easily make the difference in a motorist being seriously injured or killed in a crash versus walking away from the crash with minor injuries or no injuries whatsoever. The Kingsport Police Department encourages ALL occupants of ALL motor vehicles to wear their seatbelt ALL of the time. It is the law, but more importantly, it might just save your life.

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: Kingsport Police Investigating Afternoon Shooting Incident at Model City Apartments

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Kingsport Police Investigating Afternoon Shooting Incident at Model City Apartments
DATE: November 25, 2019
CASE #: 19-027789
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On November 25, 2019 at approximately 4:00 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers and Detectives responded to Model City Apartments, located at 1000 Stonegate Road in Kingsport, in response to reports of an alleged shooting incident.

Once on scene, Officers learned that prior to their arrival an adult male had been transported by a private party to an area hospital for emergency medical treatment of at least one gunshot wound. As of the time of issuance of this release, information regarding his current condition was not readily available.

This incident remains under active investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division. As such, further details neither can nor will be released at this time. Additional information will be shared at an appropriate point as the investigation develops.
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: Pedestrian in Critical Condition Following East Stone Drive Motor Vehicle Collision

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Pedestrian in Critical Condition Following East Stone Drive Motor Vehicle Collision
DATE: November 24, 2019
CASE #: 19-027653
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On November 23, 2019 at approximately 9:00 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian in the 1400 block of East Stone Drive in Kingsport. Due to the seriousness of injuries sustained by the pedestrian, the K.P.D. Traffic Unit was called to the scene to investigate. Their findings thus far are as follows:

A gray 2002 Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle, driven and solely occupied by Phyllis Ann Nelson (66 year old white female of Weber City, VA), appeared to be lawfully traveling west on East Stone Drive in the far right of the three westbound lanes.

Meanwhile, a pedestrian, Jason K. Chase (48 year old white male of Bristol, TN), was unlawfully attempting to cross East Stone Drive in a northbound direction. He was neither crossing at an intersection nor in a crosswalk. Mr. Chase entered the path of Ms. Nelson’s Ford resulting in him being struck by the vehicle.

Mr. Chase was transported by Sullivan County EMS to an area hospital for emergency medical treatment of serious incapacitating injuries. As of the most recent information available at the time of issuance of this news release, he remains hospitalized in critical condition. Ms. Nelson was not injured in the collision.

This collision remains under active investigation by the K.P.D. Traffic Unit. As such, no further details are available for release at this time.
COLLISION VEHICLE INFORMATION
Make Ford
Model Explorer
Year 2002
Type Sport Utility Vehicle
Color Gray
Damage Functional Damage
Driver Name Phyllis Ann Nelson
Age 66 Years of Age
Gender/Race Female/White
Residency Weber City, Virginia
Injuries No Injury
PEDESTRIAN INFORMATION
Name Jason K. Chase
Age 48 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency Bristol, Tennessee
Injuries Serious Incapacitating Injuries

Hospitalized in Critical Condition
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: Robbery Suspect Arrested by K.P.D. Patrol Officers Within Minutes of the Crime

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Robbery Suspect Arrested by K.P.D. Patrol Officers Within Minutes of the Crime
DATE: November 21, 2019
CASE #: 19-027483
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On November 21, 2019 at approximately 8:45 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to a hold-up alarm at the Spirit Gas Station, located at 1300 East Stone Drive in Kingsport. While Officers were still en route to the scene, Kingsport Central Dispatch received a follow-up call from the store clerk confirming that there had in fact been a robbery.

The clerk informed Officers that the suspect had indicated that he had a gun and had stolen the entire cash drawer from the register along with an undisclosed amount of money. The clerk also provided Officers with a detailed description of what turned out to be a blue 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer sport utility vehicle, complete with a partial license plate number, in which the suspect fled.

Within less than 10 minutes of the initial hold-up alarm, an alert K.P.D. Patrol Officer spotted the suspect vehicle and made a traffic stop on North Eastman Road at the intersection of Stadium Court. As a result of that traffic stop, the suspect, identified as Reggie L. Evans, was successfully taken into custody without incident.

The stolen cash register drawer was subsequently recovered from his vehicle. He was transported to the Kingsport City Jail, where as of the time of issuance of this news release, he remains confined pending arraignment.
SUSPECT INFORMATION
Name Reggie L. Evans
Age Date of Birth 3/22/1977

42 Years of Age
Gender/Race Male/White
Residency 114 Conant Road

Church Hill, TN
Charge(s) Aggravated Robbery

RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: K.P.D. on Dobyns-Bennett Campus for Security Purposes (Update)

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

• www.KingsportPDBlog.com

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: K.P.D. on Dobyns-Bennett Campus for Security Purposes (Update)
DATE: November 20, 2019
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On November 20, 2019, there was already a strong Kingsport Police Department presence at Dobyns-Bennett High School due to a threatening note found on campus the previous day. At approximately 12:05 PM, Kingsport Central Dispatch received an unconfirmed citizen report alleging that two individuals had been seen walking in the nearby Highland Community in the vicinity of the school and were possibly in possession of a firearm.

Multiple additional K.P.D. Officers converged upon the campus and surrounding neighborhood in both an investigatory and security-oriented role. Meanwhile, out of an abundance of caution, the school campus was placed on lockdown. When the lockdown was announced, with tensions already on edge, several students panicked and ran from the school.

Officers providing perimeter security outside of the school saw the students fleeing the school and went inside to investigate a possible cause for their alarm. Ultimately, following an extensive investigation, the presence of the alleged two armed individuals in the adjacent neighborhood was never verified, nor did any incidents actually take place on the school campus.

The campus lockdown has since been lifted, and normal school activities have resumed. The threatening note found on campus the previous day remains under active investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division. As such, the Kingsport Police Department will continue to maintain an increased presence at Dobyns-Bennett for the remainder of the school day today and throughout the school day tomorrow.

As previously released:

On November 20, 2019 as of approximately 12:30 PM, there is a strong Kingsport Police Department presence at Dobyns-Bennett High School, located at 1 Tribe Way in Kingsport. This presence is out of an abundance of caution in light of a threatening note recently found on campus and in response to unconfirmed issues of concern that have been reported and which are currently under investigation.

Again, as of the time of issuance of this news release, there has been no confirmation of any actual incidents occurring on campus today. The increased police presence is strictly in a precautionary, security, and investigatory role. Additional information will be released as it develops.
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: K.P.D. on Dobyns-Bennett Campus for Security Purposes

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: K.P.D. on Dobyns-Bennett Campus for Security Purposes
DATE: November 20, 2019
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On November 20, 2019 as of approximately 12:30 PM, there is a strong Kingsport Police Department presence at Dobyns-Bennett High School, located at 1 Tribe Way in Kingsport. This presence is out of an abundance of caution in light of a threatening note recently found on campus and in response to unconfirmed issues of concern that have been reported and which are currently under investigation.

Again, as of the time of issuance of this news release, there has been no confirmation of any actual incidents occurring on campus today. The increased police presence is strictly in a precautionary, security, and investigatory role. Additional information will be released as it develops.
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

The Kingsport Aquatic Center is closed November 28.

KPD e-News Release: K.P.D. Investigating Threatening Note Found at Dobyns-Bennett High School

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: K.P.D. Investigating Threatening Note Found at Dobyns-Bennett High School
DATE: November 19, 2019
CASE #: 19-027239
GENERAL NARRATIVE
On November 19, 2019, shortly before 12:00 noon, a note was found at Dobyns-Bennett High School, located at 1 Tribe Way in Kingsport. The note, which was threatening in nature, was discovered by a student who subsequently turned it into school administration.

Unfortunately, photographs of this note were taken prior to it being turned over to authorities, and those photos are already being circulated via social media. This has understandably started to create fear and alarm throughout the community, particularly with parents and families of students.

This matter is being taken very seriously by the Kingsport Police Department and the Kingsport City Schools, and a joint investigation is currently underway. In the meantime, there will be an increased police presence at the school for the remainder of the school day today, and throughout the entire school day tomorrow.

As this remains an active criminal investigation, no further details are available for release at this time. Additional information will be shared if and when it becomes available, but only at an appropriate point in the investigation.
RELEASING OFFICER
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

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

ThomasMPatton

KPD e-News Release: Suspects Sought in Fraudulent Use of Cloned Debit Cards

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Kingsport Police Department

David Quillin, Chief of Police

200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

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

NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT: Suspects Sought in Fraudulent Use of Cloned Debit Cards
DATE: November 19. 2019
CASE #: 19-024162

19-024163

19-026046

19-026048
GENERAL NARRATIVE
Kingsport Police Detectives are investigating several instances where fraudulent purchases have been made at various local business using what appears to be cloned copies of actual debit cards. In each instance, the original debit card was still in the victim’s possession at the time the fraudulent transaction was completed.

Two white male adult suspects were captured on surveillance video during the completion of one of these transactions. A photo, taken from this footage, has been included in this release, while a short clip of the actual video has also been made available for viewing on the K.P.D. YouTube channel by accessing the link below:

https://youtu.be/vZ6lK5h7HlQ

In one instance, these suspects were seen leaving the scene in what appeared to be a black, newer model, Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle. Anyone who recognizes either of them 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

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

ThomasMPatton

Highlighting Heroes: Kristie Leonard – Special Events Coordinator

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How many times in the past year have you attended a Kingsport event? Whether it was a parade, a Fun Fest event or an Evening at the Market—Kristie Leonard helped make it happen.

Kristie, who started with the city 12 years ago, plays a crucial role in a streamlined event process that makes submitting event applications easier than ever. She is the key contact for anyone who wants to host an event in Kingsport. Instead of fumbling through contacts and clicking through websites to find information on hosting an event, organizers can contact Kristie for anything from small-scale gatherings to Fun Fest-sized events.

“I may be the first person that someone connects with in our city,” Kristie said. “I may be what they judge our city on. So I’m very careful about how we deal with different organizers, making sure that we give good customer service, answer their questions and be as helpful as we can for them.”

Kristie partners with many city departments from Police to Public Works to ensure every event goes off without a hitch. This departmental teamwork is something unique to Kingsport.

When she isn’t organizing events, Kristie is running the Kingsport Farmers Market. She is in charge of receiving and sifting through vendor applications to make sure that the market gets a large variety of high-quality goods. She also helps bring programs to the market, like Saturdays with the Chef and Market Jams.

Kristie strives to bring a “front porch feel” to the market and make it a place where people know and trust their neighbors and come out to visit with them. Her hard work is paying off: For the second year in a row, the Kingsport Farmers Market has been voted the Best Farmers Market in East Tennessee by Tennessee Magazine.

“Our vendors are amazing,” Kristie said. “What I do is bring people to the vendors so they can sell their goods.”

Kristie’s top priority is the safety and happiness of Kingsport’s citizens. Whether she’s coordinating events or running the farmers market, Kristie enjoys the roots of her job.

“It’s always fascinated me how governments work,” Kristie, who majored in political science, said. “At the same time, I also get to enjoy the creative side. I don’t have a boring day.”

People like Kristie, who are dedicated to seeing Kingsport grow into the best it can be, are what make Kingsport such a great place to live. Next time you take a stroll through a Kingsport event or prepare some produce from the market, remember people like Kristie who are dedicated to bringing what’s best to the city.

Want to hear more from Kristie? Visit http://bit.ly/city_desk to listen to her conversation with City Manager Chris McCartt on Kingsport’s podcast “From the City Desk.”

Kristie

 

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee