Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The attention of city public safety and public works is focused on the approaching Winter weather, where a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for tomorrow. Travel impacts are likely to be expected Thursday and Friday. Residents should have a plan in place to not travel on roadways when conditions become hazardous, which could begin as early as Thursday morning. Roadways will quickly become hazardous, and travel is discouraged. Mt. Juliet Police, Fire, and Public Works departments are actively monitoring the developing situation, and they are prepared for this winter weather event. Community members can view details on the city’s response and active road closures here: https://mjpdnews.org/incident/ .

Wilson County Schools announced that Thursday, January 6th, will be a districtwide closure, which means that Kids Club is closed as well as the district’s central office (ATC). In addition, all extracurricular activities are canceled as well.

Additional police officers have been placed on standby, and they will be utilized if more staffing is necessary to respond to calls. In addition, all patrol vehicles are equipped with all-wheel drive to provide better traction and ensure officers continue to have the capability to respond.

Mt. Juliet Fire Department volunteers have been placed on standby, and crews will have vehicles that can access areas where travel may be difficult. Also, more personnel will be staffing additional response vehicles.

Mt. Juliet Public Works has already begun to pretreat or brine city roadways and will begin to salt and attempt to clear roads once hazardous conditions develop. Mt. Juliet’s Public Works department will have six salt and brine snow trucks, in addition to other auxiliary equipment, active for the event. The trucks will be distributed throughout the city in four different zones. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is responsible for state roadways like Mt. Juliet Road, Lebanon Road, and Central Pike; however, Mt. Juliet Public Works will supplement TDOT to ensure the state roads are cleared as best possible.

Mt. Juliet Police, Fire, and Public Works leadership is in constant contact with the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency, and all agencies are communicating and working together to make sure everyone has the necessary resources.

Since hazardous road conditions are likely to develop, the Mt. Juliet Police Department reminds residents to stay safe in snowy weather. Please remember the following tips throughout any winter storm:

• Follow us on Social Media for Updates: Follow Wilson County and Tennessee public safety agencies on Twitter & Facebook. Many agencies actively communicate with the public about road closures, traffic advisories, and important information on Twitter and Facebook. Below is a list of area social media links:
  • Mt. Juliet Police: Twitter & Facebook
  • Mt. Juliet Fire: Twitter & Facebook
  • Wilson County Emergency Management Agency: Twitter & Facebook
  • Wilson County Sheriff: Twitter & Facebook
  • Tennessee HighwaJuliet’s: Twitter & Facebook
  • Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: Twitter & Facebook
  • National Weather”Se”vice: Twitter & Facebook
• Stay Informed: Anytime there is a possibility of a winter storm, it is always important to stay connected and have your communication devices charged. Consider registering for Mt. Juliet’s MJAlert to receive real-time text alerts on your phone. It is simple to register, simply text “MJ” to the phone number “67283”.
• Take Note of the Weather Forecast:  Mt. Juliet Police encourage residents to take note of local forecaTennessee’sn accordingly for adverse weather conditions. Motorists are reminded that they can dial 511 on their cell phones for current traffic and road conditions on Tennessee roadways. The Tennessee Department of Transportation also has a great SmartWay resource that provides up-to-date traffic information on Tennessee’s highway system. You can find more information about it at www.TNSmartWay.com.
• Vehicle Preparation: With a forecast of inclement weather, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are well maintained and properly equipped for winter driving. Motorists should check the fluid levels of their vehicles, particularly washer fluid and anti-freeze, to make sure that they are at adequate levels. Tires should be inspected to ensure that they are properly inflated and have enough tread depth. Motorists should equip their vehicles with an ice scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets. Additionally, motorists are reminded to completely clear their vehicles of snow and ice prior to driving, including all lights, for visibility. Clearing vehicles of snow and ice enhances the safety of all motorists by providing an unobstructed view to the operator and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road. Motorists should also carry a charged cell phone.
• Reduce Speed: Anticipate delays. Most snow and ice-related crashes are caused by spin-outs and vehicles sliding off the road because they are traveling at speeds too great for the road and weather conditions. Posted speed limits are set for driving under perfect, dry conditions. If road and weather conditions are dangerous, motorists should operate at a speed well below the posted limit.
• Leave Extra Space Between Vehicles: Under perfect driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between them and the vehicle in front of them. If the road and weather conditions are dangerous, that distance should be significantly increased to afford increased stopping distances.
• Black Ice: Transparent ice may form on the roadway. If you notice ice forming on any objects, assume that it is forming on the road surface as well. Bridges are usually the first surfaces to freeze. Drive slowly and, if possible, avoid driving on iced-over surfaces.
• Buckle Up: The single most effective thing that motorists can do to keep themselves, friends, and loved ones safe on the road is to buckle up.
• Dial 911 in Roadway Emergencies: Motorists who become disabled in a dangerous location or encounter an emergency on the roadways should dial 911 on their cell phones to immediately be connected to emergency services. Motorists should always be aware of their location, noting the road they are traveling on and the nearest cross-street or mile-marker.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade will affect traffic on the north end of N. Mt. Juliet Road, including Lebanon Road and E. Division Street near Mt. Juliet Road, during afternoon on Saturday, December 18, 2021. Starting at 2:45 p.m., the following stretch of roadways will be closed:

• N. Mt. Juliet Road, between E. Division Street and Lebanon Road
• Lebanon Road, between N. Mt. Juliet Road and Park Glen Drive
• E. Division St, between N. Mt. Juliet Road and Clemmons Road

Mt. Juliet’s residents and visitors should plan and be aware of the parade, which begins at 3:00 p.m. from the Mt. Juliet League Fields on Lebanon Road, travels down Mt. Juliet Road, and ends at the train station along E. Division St.

If you are attending the parade, the police department suggests that you arrive before the 2:45 p.m. street closures. This will allow plenty of time to find parking. If you are not attending the parade, you may want to avoid the Mt. Juliet Road corridor to reduce your frustration with the road closure and large traffic volume.

Parade Information: Mt. Juliet Christmas Parade Website

Parade Route Map: Google Map of Parade Route

Remember, after the parade, there will be a large amount of vehicle and pedestrian traffic along Mt. Juliet Road in the north end of town. So take your time, and please be considerate. It is estimated that the parade traffic will be clear around 4:30 p.m.

Follow Mt. Juliet Police on Twitter @MtJulietPolice for live and active information about the parade & races as they happen.

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The holiday shopping season begins this week, and so does Mt. Juliet’s retail safety initiative. As a result, more officers will be providing extra attention in shopping areas as part of Operation Safe Shopper. Starting on Thanksgiving afternoon, Black Friday, and throughout the shopping season, more uniformed and undercover officers will be concentrated around Mt. Juliet’s Interstate 40 shopping destination. The initiative will run until Friday, December 31, 2021.

Ultimately, the department wants residents and visitors to have a safe, enjoyable experience in and around Mt. Juliet’s shopping areas. The department will carry out:

• Increased patrols by uniformed officers
• Zero tolerance on shoplifting crimes
• Mobile surveillance tower deployed in parking lots
• Undercover vehicles & officers blending in with the crowds
• Guardian Shield watching over the community for stolen cars, stolen plates, and wanted persons

Officers will also monitor traffic flow and traffic signals to ensure traffic is moving as best as possible. If any issues are discovered, officers will communicate with city traffic engineers to determine a quick solution.

Shopper Safety Tips:

• Report any suspicious or out-of-place behavior to police, immediately.
• Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
• Park in well-lighted spaces, lock car doors, and place packages in the trunk or under seats out of sight.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card if possible.
• Carry purses close to the body, not dangling by the straps.
• Put wallets in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
• Supervise children and teach them to go to a police officer or security guard if they get lost or separated.
• Take a holiday inventory. The holidays are an excellent time to take photos or videos of items in your home

Parking Lot Safety Tips:

• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• If shopping at night, park in well-lit areas.
• Never leave your vehicle unlocked.
• When walking to your vehicle, look prepared by having your keys in your hand, your purse, and other packages close to you, and always be aware of what is around you.
• Never leave holiday packages or other valuable items visible inside your vehicle.
• If possible, shop with others and walk in groups. It is safer to have another person with you.
• If you see suspicious people or activity, go back into the store or to a populated area and contact the police immediately.

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Many officers will be out serving on Halloween, and safety will be a top priority as they patrol through neighborhoods and interact with community members. This effort is quite the tradition for the department, where patrol staffing is tripled so neighborhoods have a visible police presence to ensure all have a safe, enjoyable time. With Mt. Juliet’s neighborhoods filling up with many trick-or-treaters, everyone should be prepared and mindful of children’s safety by following simple safety precautions. The most significant risk to a child on Halloween is being struck by a vehicle, and to raise awareness for pedestrian safety, officers will be handing out reflective bands.

Trick-or-treating will be observed in Mt. Juliet on Sunday, October 31, 2021. The Mt. Juliet Police Department recommends trick-or-treating to start at 5:00 p.m. and to stop by 9:00 p.m

Many officers will be out, but police still need the help of residents to ensure Mt. Juliet’s streets can be as safe as possible. Any unsafe mischief or driving behavior should be reported to the police department immediately so it can be stopped. Also, police will be monitoring parking on city streets. Visitors and residents should be mindful of where they park, so the roadway is not blocked.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are twice more likely to be in a fatal pedestrian accident on Halloween than any other day of the year. Therefore, parents should make sure their child’s costume is visible at night to motorists. There are several reasons why children are more likely to be hurt in pedestrian accidents, which include:

• They often choose to take the shortest route, which may mean darting out between parked cars than taking the safer route of crossing at corners.
• They’re poor at evaluating potential traffic threats.
• They’re more likely to disregard their peripheral vision and are less attentive to their street surroundings.
• They tend to believe they’re indestructible and are more likely to take risks.
• They need to be told that some people driving cars will not slow down for them.
• They can’t cross streets as rapidly as adults.
• They may be distracted by other children’s costumes, behaviors, and home decorations.

Also, officers will be out monitoring sex offenders on Halloween. Under Tennessee law, any sex offender on parole or probation may not participate in any Halloween activity involving children. This activity would include leaving a porch light on, answering the door, or distributing candy. Parents may use the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s website at http://www.tbi.tn.gov/.

From everyone at Mt. Juliet Police, we wish you a safe Halloween. Mt. Juliet Police Headquarters, located at 1019 Charlie Daniels Parkway, will also be open for trick-or-treating on Halloween from 5:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. The department can be contacted at (615) 754-2550 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency) to report any problems, observations, or safety concerns.

Now and through Halloween, reflective bands are available at police headquarters from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

A list of Halloween Health and Safety Tips can be viewed here: http://www.safekids.org/halloween.

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Persistent investigative work led to the indictment and arrest of an adult male who allegedly sexually assaulted three children over a period of time from 2017 to 2020. Today, around Noon, detectives apprehended 47-year-old Pedro Barrera in Lakewood at his workplace. He was booked on three counts of child rape, six counts of aggravated sexual battery, and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child.

 

Detectives continued to investigate and develop evidence since the first assault was reported in 2017 and remained committed to the investigation. Through their continued efforts, two additional victims were discovered. One victim was assaulted at the LC Apartment community on Providence Parkway, and the two other victims were assaulted at the Glass Creek Apartment community on Old Pleasant Grove Road. The suspect was a resident at those apartment communities when the assaults occurred, and the female victims’ ages ranged from 7 to 8 years old.

 

“Our detectives continued commitment for justice and courage of the victims led to enough information for an indictment.,” stated Chief James Hambrick. “We are so grateful for the victim’s courage, and we are going to do everything we can to ensure those who harm our community, especially those who harm children, are held accountable.”

 

If anyone has any information about the suspect or anything related to this investigation, they are urged 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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The department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to promote “Slow Down Tennessee” and is planning three speed enforcement blitzes. The blitzes are an effort to bring awareness and help reduce speeding-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities. In the blitz, multiple officers will be assigned explicitly to roadways, where speeding-related crashes have led to injuries and deaths, in a visible effort to encourage safe driving.

Crashes have jumped significantly in Mt. Juliet during 2021, and the numbers have already exceeded previous years’ data.

Crash Data:

• 2017 – 837 (Entire Year)
• 2018 – 797 (Entire Year)
• 2019 – 678 (Entire Year)
• 2020 – 805 (Entire Year)
• 2021 – 936 (10 Months)

At this rate, it is evident that Mt. Juliet will exceed over 1,000 crashes in a year, which is a first for the community. While most of the crash data increase is related to distracted drivers, speeding has played a role in severe injuries and death crashes.

“While these traffic enforcement blitzes are extra enforcement, Mt. Juliet’s police officers already stop, on average, 175 motorists a week and issue a citation 50% of the time,” stated Chief James Hambrick. “As a police department, we would much rather not be placed in a position to stop someone for driving unsafe, and we are not going to enforce or cite our way to safer roadways alone. It is my hope everyone takes steps to ensure they are driving safely by not driving distracted or speeding so we can reduce the number of crashes in our community.”

The speeding enforcement blitzes are scheduled for Friday, October 15, Thursday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 26. 

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For National Faith & Blue Weekend, the Mt. Juliet Police Department is organizing a Community-Wide City Beautiful Day. The police department and community will come together in a collaborative effort to build stronger bridges through community service. Officers will partner with different groups, who will head out to various work zones across the city to clean up and clear roadside litter.

• Who: Mt. Juliet Police Department in Partnership with Everyone’s Wilson
• Where: Meet at Mt. Juliet Police Headquarters at 1019 Charlie Daniels Parkway
• When: Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. for kick-off. Projects will last up until Noon.

Community members or groups wanting to participate in this community service day are encouraged to meet at police headquarters for officer partnering and work zone assignments. Participants should dress appropriately for the activity with good shoes and dress for the weather. Gloves, trash bags, and other supplies will be provided.

Groups wanting to participate can email Capt. Tyler Chandler at tchandler@mjpd.org to ensure accommodations.

Faith & Blue Weekend is a national event with activities in communities across the country that bring together law enforcement and residents to build connections, create mutual understanding, and enhance justice and reconciliation. You can learn more about Faith & Blue Weekend here: https://faithandblue.org/about/.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Mt. Juliet Police Department is offering a $1,000 reward, which is in addition to the family’s $1,000 reward, for information that leads to missing 35-year-old Deavin Nicole Walker’s whereabouts. Deavin has been missing for nearly a year and a half, and detectives and family are very concerned about her. She has not been heard from since Wednesday, February 26, 2020, and she was last known to be walking in the Willoughby Station neighborhood after telling a family member she was going to the store. She was reported missing on April 16, 2020.

Walker left her residence wearing a white shirt with green sweatpants, and she had a cell phone that is no longer working. She is a black female, 5’3″ in height, weighing 125 pounds, having brown eyes, and brown hair in dreadlocks with highlighted tips. She frequently visited the Lebanon area in the past.

If anyone has any information about the whereabouts of Deavin Nicole Walker, they are urged 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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