Mt. Juliet Police Newsroom

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Fire Department of Mt. Juliet (FDMJ) announces that it will charter a new Fire Services Explorer post under the Boy Scouts of America’s Learning for Life program. The Fire Service Career Exploring program is open to young men and women ages 14 that have completed the 8^th grade, but are not yet 21-years-old with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of Fire and Emergency Services. FDMJ’s leadership has been instrumental in organizing the Explorer Post to provide an opportunity for Mt. Juliet’s youth to learn more about the fire service.

An open house and registration event for interested participants to learn about the post is scheduled on Monday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. The open house will be held at Mt. Juliet Fire Station #1 located at 104 Belinda Parkway in Mt. Juliet. Upcoming activities include: Introduction to the Fire Service, Fire Ground Support Functions, and tours of other emergency service agencies like Vanderbilt Lifeflight. Annual membership dues are $20.00. Participants will also be required to purchase their uniforms.

“We felt that a Post would provide students and young adults with great experience to see firsthand what firefighting and the emergency services is all about,” stated Fire Chief Erron Kinney. “Participants will have a chance to have actual hands-on training with the equipment and tools that are used in the field every day.”

The program provides a hands-on experience that exposes participants to many career experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path with fire and emergency services and to challenge them to become responsible citizen of their community and country.

“It has been my goal to get this program started in Mt. Juliet. I entered the fire service in 1985 as an Explorer, and I owe so much to the program,” stated Captain Chris Allen, who is organizing the program. “This program helps young adults figure out what they do and don’t want to do as a career.”

Nationally, over 22,500 Explorers participate in over 1,700 Fire and Emergency Services Posts. The program highlights include: the National Fire and Emergency Services Exploring Conference, ride-alongs, career achievement and proficiency awards, training scenarios, and scholarship opportunities.

“Providing this experience not only allows Mt. Juliet youth to learn more about the fire service and explore it as a career option, but it also allows our department to potentially build capacity for future firefighters to service such a wonderful community,” said Fire Assistant Chief Jamie Luffman.

Contact: Captain Chris Allen (615) 686-7687

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – A suspect walked into Wal-Mart and pushed a large flat screen TV out the front doors without paying, and police are hoping the public can identify the thief from surveillance video photos. Mt. Juliet Police officers were summoned to Wal-Mart on October 24, 2013 after loss prevention realized a man just pushed a TV out the front doors without paying. Investigation revealed that the suspect entered Wal-Mart with the intent to steal the TV. The suspect grabbed a shopping cart, went straight back to the TV section, loaded a 47 inch flat screen TV on to the shopping cart, and pushed it right out the front doors to his getaway vehicle. The TV is valued near $620.00.

The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic man around 40 years of age, 6’ tall, and with a thin body build. At the time of the crime, he was wearing a red Nike hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes. His getaway vehicle is described as a dark gold 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was missing hub caps.

Anyone with any information regarding this crime is 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/ .

Surveillance Photos:

Suspect

Suspect

Suspect’s Getaway Vehicle

Suspect’s Getaway Vehicle

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Two suspects broke into West Wilson Middle School over the weekend, and investigators are hoping the public can identify the suspects from surveillance video photos. Mt. Juliet Police officers were summoned to the school Monday after school administrator’s discovered the burglary. Investigation revealed two suspects entered the school early Sunday morning with a crowbar in hand. The thieves were able to take a small amount of cash and a guitar. During the burglary, the suspects caused a small amount of damage to various doors in the school.

Both suspects are described as white males in their 20’s, and they were driving a white extended cab pick-up truck.

Anyone with any information regarding this crime is 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/ .

Surveillance Photos:

Suspect One

Suspect Two

Suspect Vehicle

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee Region, including Mt. Juliet, could be on target for strong to severe thunderstorms during Halloween’s trick-or-treating festivities. If strong to severe storms roll through during the trick-or-treating hours, it would not be safe for children to be out in that environment. So, parents should be considering a Plan-B just in case Halloween is stormed out.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a strong cold front to move in late Thursday, which could bring a squall line of thunderstorms ahead of the front. Strong to severe thunderstorms could be embedded in the squall line. The main threat is damaging straight line winds, but tornadoes and hail could be possible. However, since Halloween is a couple of days away and weather forecasting always changes, timing will control storm intensity and impact on trick-or-treating. In addition, the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued a severe weather outlook for our region on Halloween, which is not a good thing considering it is four days away.

Cars are the biggest danger for kids on Halloween. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the number of deaths among pedestrians ages 4-15 is four times higher on Halloween than any other night of the year. If storms and trick-or-treating mix, then the danger is increased. Heavy rain limits visibility to drivers, making it harder for motorists to see children in the street. In addition, it makes it harder for children to see where they are going. Wet roads, sidewalks, porches, and grass will create a slick environment that could lead to more falls and injuries as well.

The men and women of the Mt. Juliet Police Department will continue to provide the safest possible environment for our children. Residents have been inquiring on an alternate date for trick-or-treating. However, the department is not going to decide what day trick-or-treating takes place on, and they are urging residents and parents to use their best judgment. If October 31 Halloween trick-or-treating is stormed out, then the Mt. Juliet Police Department has plans in place to ensure patrol staff levels are increased for Friday and throughout the weekend. We are hoping and strongly recommending that many in Mt. Juliet choose to trick-or-treat on Friday, November 1 as their Plan-B.

Like mentioned before, the weather changes quite often. The Mt. Juliet Police Department is going to continue to monitor the weather forecast. which will be more exact closer to Thursday. Continue to follow Mt. Juliet Police with social media on Nixle, Twitter, and Facebook to stay aware of public safety happenings in the community.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Additional Mt. Juliet Police Officers will hit the streets on the evening of Friday, November 1, 2013 in an effort to curb impaired driving and impaired-related crashes. Sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols will be conducted in the Lebanon Road, Mt. Juliet Road, West Division St, and Belinda Parkway areas that evening.

 “We recognize the danger presented to the public by those who make the terrible decision to drive while impaired,” said Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick. “Therefore, officers will concentrate their efforts on motorists who operate a vehicle while impaired.”

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FROM TN DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION MEDIA RELEASE:

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Department of Transportation contract crews will begin preparations soon to shift traffic on Interstate 40 eastbound under Mt. Juliet Road.   Crews have tentatively scheduled to start work this weekend and it could take several days to completely shift traffic.

The traffic shift will involve splitting only eastbound traffic around the current work zone at Mt. Juliet Road.  One eastbound lane of I-40 will move to the right of the work zone and two lanes will move the left, as depicted in the drawing below.

Interstate 40 East near the Mt. Juliet Road overpass

The new traffic pattern will be in effect for about two weeks and then be shifted again.   This traffic shift is needed to allow contract crews to widen and lower the road so large vehicles will have the necessary clearance when going under Mt. Juliet Road.

This work is part of the $55 million widening of I-40 from Central Pike to east of State Route 109.   This project is anticipated to be complete later this winter.

TDOT will use its message board signs to alert motorists of the new traffic pattern. TDOT also asks drivers to use caution, reduce their speed and be alert to changing traffic conditions in work zones across the state.

For more information on TDOT construction project activity visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/.  Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information or can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel information or www.twitter.com/Nashville511 for traffic information in the Nashville area.

Android and iPhone users can download TDOT’s SmartWay Mobile App to assist them in navigating Tennessee highways.  The app provides up-to-the-minute customized traffic information and enables the user to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras, messages displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs, and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes.  The TDOT SmartWay App is free and available for download in the Apple App Store and Play Store for Android.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for their destination.  Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Halloween is usually a busy night for everyone, young and old, but safety should be a top priority. Thousands of costumed children will take to Mt. Juliet streets looking for treats, and parents should ensure their little ones are safe by following simple safety precautions. The night is usually busier for Mt. Juliet Police officers due to the increased activity in the community, and the department is making a safety a top priority by increasing patrol staff levels for the evening. Residents can help police by quickly reporting any unsafe mischief or driving behavior to police dispatch.  In addition, the community can follow along on a virtual ride along with @MtJulietPolice during their Halloween patrols via social media on Twitter. The department will be tweeting live from the beat in their first tweet-along from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Halloween night.

Trick-or-treating will be observed in Mt. Juliet on Thursday, October 31st. The Mt. Juliet Police Department recommends trick-or-treating to start at 5:00 p.m. and to stop by 9:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m.

“The men and women of the Mt. Juliet Police Department always strive to provide our residents and children of Mt. Juliet with the safest possible environment to celebrate the time-honored tradition of trick-or-treating,” stated Police Chief James Hambrick. “Our officers will also be equipped with candy for the evening to pass out to children during the festivities.”

Following simple safety precautions will ensure little ghosts and goblins are safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children are four times more likely to be in a fatal pedestrian accident on Halloween than any other night of the year. 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 rather than take 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 of their street surroundings.
• They have a tendency 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.

In addition, to Mt. Juliet Police Department’s proactive patrols in the neighborhoods, they will also be out in force 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 would include leaving a porch light on, answering the door, or distributing candy. There are currently 8 registered sex offender living in the city limits of Mt. Juliet, and parents may access 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. The department can be contacted at (615) 754-2550 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency) to report any problems, observations, or safety concerns.

A list of Halloween Health and Safety Tips can be viewed here: http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – After years of anticipation, the City of Mt. Juliet Fire Department’s new firefighters have hit the streets. To celebrate, the Department is hosting an open house coming up on Monday, October 28^th, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The open house will be held at Mt. Juliet’s Station One located at 104 Belinda Parkway, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

Citizens are encouraged to come out, see the new engines on display, meet the Mt. Juliet firefighters, and tour the station. Giveaways and refreshments will be available.

Ladder 111 at Station One

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Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Media Release:

Nashville, Tenn.- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation today made an arrest in a 2011 Mt. Juliet kidnapping case of a teenage girl.

Jeremy Wayne Darnell, 33, of Lebanon, Tenn. was arrested today and charged with one count of especially aggravated kidnapping. On August 5, 2011, Darnell forced a 14-year-old girl into the passenger side seat of his truck in the Providence Marketplace parking lot. After a struggle in Darnell’s vehicle, the victim escaped, ran to safety and contacted police. Yesterday, TBI received information identifying Darnell as the abductor. The eyewitnesses have positively identified him as responsible for the incident. At the time of the abduction, law enforcement believed that the Providence Marketplace incident was linked to an attempted kidnapping of another teenage girl at the Walmart in Clarksville in July 2011. In light of new information, it is not believed the two incidents are related.

Darnell was booked into the Wilson County Jail this afternoon.

“We are humbled and grateful to hear that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) made an arrest in our 2011 kidnapping case that occurred in Providence MarketPlace. The TBI plays a vital role in ensuring Tennessee’s criminals do not escape,” stated Police Chief James Hambrick. “This case is closed, and our community is safer because of the TBI’s efforts.”

Jeremy Darnell, 33, of Lebanon, Tenn.

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Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Theft suspects, who burglarized a nearby home under construction and caused significant damage to a nearby occupied home as they fled the scene in their truck, are now both in custody. Mt. Juliet Police officers were summoned to the 1000 Block of Carriage Trail Wednesday afternoon around 12:30 p.m. in reference to a home struck by a vehicle. The home was occupied by one person during impact. Luckily, no injuries occurred during the crash.

Home Struck by Fleeing Theft Suspects

Investigation revealed that two white men were in the process of burglarizing a home under construction, but they became spooked by a nearby homeowner. The suspects fled the scene in reverse and lost control, causing a trail of damage. Two mailboxes and a fire hydrant were destroyed, and a home was badly damaged in their attempt to leave the scene.

Around 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, one of the suspects, Christopher Guess, 22, of Portland, turned himself in at Mt. Juliet Police headquarters. He was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Failure to Report an Accident . The second suspect was identified as Jason Goode, 39, of Mt. Juliet. Warrants for his arrest were issued for Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Report an Accident, Felony Vandalism, Theft, and Driving on a Revoked Drivers License. Goode was apprehended by Mt. Juliet Police Thursday morning around 10:00 a.m.

Jason Goode, 39, of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

Christopher Guess, 22, of Portland, Tenn.

“I’m thankful for our strong working relationship with local media partners. Their service to our community is invaluable. They were able to relay the information on our suspects quickly, which motivated one of them to turn himself in to authorities,” said Police Chief James Hambrick. “In addition, I’m proud of our investigators who quickly pursued leads in this case to ensure it was resolved quickly.”

Since the home was badly damaged, the Fire Department of Mt. Juliet (FDMJ) and building inspectors responded to the scene to check the home’s structural integrity. The home was declared unsafe. However, FDMJ is going a step further so the homeowner is not forced to move out. Firefighters temporarily repaired the home to ensure it was safe for the homeowner. Lumber and supplies were brought to the scene by Mt. Juliet’s volunteer firefighters so work could be completed on the home.

Photos of FDMJ Firefighters Repairing the Home:

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