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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the results of four weekends of extra patrols in downtown Johnson City.
Sheriff Keith Sexton deployed deputies downtown at the request of residents and business owners.
The extra patrols focused on the hours between 11 a.m. and 4 a.m. and were in addition to the county’s standard platoon that patrols the county.
“We’ve patrolled downtown on foot for four weekends and have yet to receive a single report of a violent crime within the areas we covered,” Sexton stated in a news release. “Each patrol complemented the existing presence of the Johnson City Police.”
The sheriff’s office released the following statistics:
Weekend 1 – August 8 and 9
- 30 deputies, reserves and detention officers signed up for the first weekend
- 24 patrolled Friday and 21 patrolled Saturday
- Total Cost: $10,772.25 – all THSO grant funds
- 102 extra patrols, bar and business checks
- Seven arrested for Public Intoxication
- Three cited for Open Containers
- Three cited for Underage Consumption
- Two arrested for outstanding warrants
- One arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest
Weekend 2 – August 15 and 16
- 13 deputies patrolled each night
- Total Cost: $5,395.62 ($2,583.49 THSO, $2,812.13 WCSO budget)
- 24 bar and business checks
- One arrested for Simple Assault
Weekend 3 – August 22 and 23
- 10 deputies patrolled Friday, and nine deputies patrolled Saturday
- Total Cost: $4,165.65 – All THSO grant funds
- 28 bar and business checks
- One arrested for Public Intoxication
Weekend 4 – August 29 and 30 (Labor Day Weekend)
- 10 deputies patrolled each night
- Total Cost: $4,557.10 – All THSO grant funds
- 19 bar and business checks
- Two arrested for Public Intoxication
- Three arrested for Disorderly Conduct
- One arrested for Underage Consumption and Public Intoxication
“Although the focused downtown patrols concluded on Labor Day Weekend, the Sheriff’s Strike Team will continue its operations in the downtown area during its regular patrols,” Sexton added. “If the City of Johnson City requires any assistance, we are just a phone call away.”
According to the sheriff’s department, the total expenditure to compensate 50 deputies for 635 hours of work over the four weekends amounted to $24,890. All but $2,583 of this was covered by grant funds from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.
“Community policing is the cornerstone for developing strong community bonds through shared accountability for public safety,” Sexton remarked. “Policing has never been intended to be a one-sided activity.”
