Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – School zones will have a strong focus by Mt. Juliet police officers as students in Wilson County head back to school. Officers will be focusing on motorists who disregard laws designed to protect children in school zones and will be providing extra attention at designated routes to and from schools during the first few weeks. In addition to the reduced speed limits in school zones, officers will be focusing on handheld cell phone use in school zones, school bus stop-arm, texting while driving, seat belt, and child passenger safety laws.

Last week, Chief James Hambrick also spoke to Wilson County’s school crossing guards and expressed support for all the hard, very important work they do to keep students safe. Throughout the school year, the department will keep an open line of communication with crossing guards so they can easily report unsafe drivers or any other safety issues within the city limits.

Digital radar speed signs have been deployed to school zones to also raise awareness. Mt. Juliet Police have three digital speed signs that display the speed of cars and visually warn drivers if they are driving above the speed limit.

Parents are encouraged to visit their child’s school website to become familiar with the traffic plans for drop-off and pick-up at each school. Wilson County School’s website is: http://www.wcschools.com/.

To ensure our school zones are safe this school year, Mt. Juliet Police offer the following suggestions:

• Give yourself plenty of time in the morning! As traffic volumes and congestion on the roadways increase, so does the length of time it takes to travel to your destination. Giving yourself more time, by leaving earlier, reduces stress, increases your awareness, and improves your driving. Obey the posted speed limit signs and directional signs. This includes marked curbs. These signs and curb markings assist in the traffic flow into and out of the schools and assist in the safety of the students who walk and bike to school. One misplaced car can disrupt the traffic flow and the safety of our students.
• Be patient! Impatience leads to aggressive driving, rude or unwarranted behavior, pedestrian and bicycle collisions, and it creates traffic gridlock. Remember, everyone has the same goal in mind, to get our children safely to and from school. Also remember, the habits you exhibit in your driving and demeanor are typically passed on to your children when they start driving.
• If you are driving your children to school, have them ready to leave the car, with all of their belongings, when you come to a stop at the school. Backups and delays are caused when children have to get their backpacks and other items from the trunk or back seat of a car. Explore other alternatives such as carpool, ride-sharing, walking, or biking to school.
• Watch and obey the school crossing guards. Crossing guards are provided to assist with school traffic and the safe crossing of your students across the surrounding streets near each elementary school. Be on the lookout, be prepared to stop, and be prepared to follow their directions so our children can get to and from school safely.

Stopping for a School Bus Law:

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Mt. Juliet Police has launched a new unit to further serve the community and free up officers for higher priority incidents. A new civilian, all volunteer unit in the department, Community Service Officers will be deployed in the field to aid police officers by responding to lower priority calls for service.

Community Service Officers, when on duty, are available to assist with traffic control, visibility patrols, motorist assists, roadway debris removal, extra patrols, home vacation checks, and many other low priority incidents. The unit is designed to relieve police officers of some of the more minor and routine tasks that can more effectively and economically be handled by civilian volunteers. Thus, freeing up police officers to deal with higher priority tasks and criminal activities more comparable with their training and expertise.

Community Service Officers are civilians, not police officers, and undergo a 50-hour training program before starting their service. They are identified in bright green, reflective polo shirts and black pants. The department plans to open up opportunities for interested citizens to become a volunteer Community Service Officer in the future.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Officers quickly caught up to an armed robbery suspect, who just committed a string of crimes on Barrett Drive and Weston Drive. Around 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, officers were summoned to the 1400 block of Barrett Drive for a robbery of a person that had just occurred. Officers quickly arrived in the area, and one spotted the suspect after a citizen pointed him out. A foot chase ensued, winding through the front and rear of nearby businesses. Officers quickly caught the suspect, 30-year-old John Claiborne of Franklin, as he attempted to hide under the rear deck of a business on N. Mt. Juliet Road.

Another vigilant officer in the area spotted a suspicious vehicle parked in a nearby parking lot. The driver, 30-year-old Lavonya Shannon of Lebanon, originally gave a false name to the officer. However, her real identity was discovered, which revealed she was wanted out of Wilson County. She was found to be related to the incidents.

Further investigation revealed that Claiborne also burglarized a car parked in a garage on Barrett Drive and attempted to rob another person in the 1100 block of Weston Drive. As Claiborne was running from officers, he dropped multiple stolen items and other evidence. Officers and detectives conducted a thorough evidence search by checking roofs, drain pipes, and under porches.

Thankfully, no one was injured in this incident. The suspects have no connection to the area where the crimes were committed.

Claiborne was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail, charged with Aggravated Robbery, Burglary, and Criminal Attempt. Shannon was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail on a failure to appear warrant and charged with Criminal Impersonation.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – 33-year-old Markeus Largent of Elizabethon, who ran from an officer during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 near Golden Bear Gateway, was apprehended. After being stopped for a brake light violation, Largent ran from the traffic stop and across all lanes of the interstate before entering thick woods. During a search, he was spotted attempting to clean-up in a creek near Volunteer Boulevard and Rutland Drive. He attempted to run from officers again, but he was caught after a short chase. Largent was wanted out of Carter County for a Probation Violation. He was arrested and booked into the Wilson County Jail, charged with Evading Arrest and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Mt. Juliet Police Department has received reports from local businesses of fraudulent transactions involving counterfeit $100 bills used as payment. Recently, detectives tracked down surveillance video of a female suspect who passed fake bills at Walgreens, Marco’s Pizza, and Walmart. She was spotted getting in a black 4-door Hyundai car with temporary tags.

Local retailers and citizens should be vigilant in detecting the fake cash that is circulating.The counterfeit bills are designed to look like legitimate currency, but an observant handler can notice many differences from true currency- especially noticing the lack of a watermark and embedded security thread when held up to light. Real U.S. bills have holographic ink that changes colors when tilted, and updated bills have an ultraviolet strip embedded in the note that can be seen. In addition, there should be blue and red fibers in the paper, which is rough in texture. Counterfeit detector pens are also a protective measure that retailers are encouraged to use.

The following, from the U.S Currency Education Program, is a great quick reference guide to help notice the difference between real and fake currency: Quick Reference Guide .

Other local businesses where counterfeit bills have been passed this year include Dollar General,  Lizard Thicket, and Penn Station Subs.

If anyone has a feeling that they possibly know the suspects responsible for these crimes, they are encouraged to call the Mt. Juliet Police Department at (615) 754-2550. Information can also be given anonymously by calling (615) 754-TIPS (8477) or via the Mt. Juliet Police Department website at http://www.mjpd.org/ .

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The  Mt. Juliet Police Department is reminding residents to be careful while discharging fireworks to avoid injuries and noise violations as Independence Day approaches.

Fireworks are beautiful, but they can be very dangerous if they are not used safely. It is imperative that fireworks be handled with care to avoid serious burns, eye damage, and even life-threatening injuries. Premature denotation and misuse of fireworks are responsible for many burn injuries every year, which all could be avoided with proper and safe handling.  Safety should be everyone’s priority, and parents should always supervise juveniles who are using fireworks. The Mt. Juliet Police Department urges residents to be careful, follow safety precautions, and abide by city ordinances during their holiday celebrations.

In Mt. Juliet, it is unlawful to sell or use fireworks in the city limits except from June 20th through July 5th and December 10th through January 2nd. During this holiday season, fireworks cannot be discharged or used between the hours of 10:00 p.m. – 10:00 a.m. In addition, fireworks cannot be sold or given to any person under the age of 18. It is permissible for juveniles to use fireworks only if a parent is supervising the activity. Failure to follow Mt. Juliet’s City Code regulating fireworks could result in a $188.00 fine.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers these common sense safety tips for using consumer fireworks in the hopes that injuries can be greatly reduced:

• Parents and caretakers should always closely supervise juveniles if they are using fireworks.
• Parents should not allow young children to handle or use fireworks.
• Fireworks should only be used outdoors.
• Always have water ready if you are shooting fireworks.
• Know your fireworks. Read the caution label before igniting.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.
• Wear safety glasses when using fireworks.
• Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Soak spent fireworks with water before placing them in an outdoor garbage can.
• Avoid using homemade fireworks or illegal explosives: They can be deadly.
• Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.

And note these special safety tips, if using sparklers:

• Always remain standing while using sparklers.
• Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
• Never hold, or light, more than one sparkler at a time.
• Never throw sparklers.
• Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop spent sparklers in a bucket of water.
• Teach children not to wave sparklers, or run, while holding sparklers.

Enjoy your time with your friends and loved ones. Everyone at the Mt. Juliet Police Department wishes you a happy and safe Independence Day.

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