APD Call Log May 22nd-30th, 2017

2017 Oral Rabies Vaccine Distribution in Virginia

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Wildlife Services program (WS) will conduct an emergency spring oral rabies vaccine (ORV) bait distribution program in southwestern Virginia to vaccinate raccoons against the rabies virus.  Bait distribution in Virginia is part of a nationwide, cooperative effort by USDA to prevent the westward spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern United States.  Implementation of this program in Virginia is a cooperative effort between USDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health, and other state agencies. 

The spring 2017 baiting campaign is being conducted in response to a rabies-positive raccoon reported from the Big Stone Gap area of Wise County, VA, where it was not previously detected.  Beginning on or about May 31, 2017, approximately 355,000 coated sachet baits containing the oral rabies vaccine will be distributed across a 608 square-mile bait zone in parts of Lee, Wise, and Wise County, Virginia, including the communities of Appalachia, Big Stone Gap, Dryden, Duffield, Norton, and Wise.  Baits will be distributed by low-flying fixed wing airplanes and a helicopter.  The aerial bait drop is expected to last for about 1 week.  This effort will be repeated in October 2017 as part of a larger rabies baiting project.

  

As the oral rabies vaccination baits are aerially distributed, a navigator controls the bait machine and turns off the machine as necessary to avoid dropping baits on roadways, structures, large bodies of water, etc.  The ORV baits which will be distributed are RABORAL V-RG^® coated sachets.  The coated sachet is a plastic packet of vaccine coated with a sticky, fish-scented substance to attract raccoons.  Each bait is marked with a toll-free number (1-877-722-6725) for people to call for assistance or information if they find or come in contact with a bait.

Stolen Lawn Mower 5-22-17

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

The Abingdon Police Department is investigating the theft of a John Deere 145 lawn mower from the 400 block of Poplar Street. The owner advised that it was stolen sometime between the evening of May 21, 2017 and the morning hours of May 22, 2017. The mower is yellow and green in color. There are specific identifiers on the seat of the mower. If anyone has any information about the John Deere lawn mower, please call the APD Crime Tip Line at 1-844-200-TIPS (8477). Thank you for your assistance!

*The picture attached is similar to the John Deere that was stolen.

VFW Post 1994 Buddy Poppies

VFW Post 1994 will be distributing Buddy Poppies in Abingdon from 9:00am to 5:00pm on May 26^th, 27^th and 29^th 2017, at Kroger, Food City and Food Country. The Post Auxiliary will also be at Plumb Alley on Saturday, May 27th, 2017. The tradition of wearing the red poppy is meant to invoke the memories and emotions of those who lost their lives in defense of our great nation. Please join us in remembering and honoring our fallen. 

Parking Information for Plumb Alley Day 5-27-17

Abingdon Police Department

     

For Immediate Release

This Saturday, May 27^th, 2017, is the 35^th Annual Kiwanis Plumb Alley Day event in Abingdon, VA. The Abingdon Police Department wants to remind the community and visitors of parking restrictions. Like most tourist communities, Abingdon has several parking restrictions that you should be aware of, to avoid violating any of the parking provisions and subjecting yourself to an unwanted fine. 

To assist you in planning your visit, the following parking restrictions are provided for your information. 

In the Town of Abingdon, it is unlawful to:

1.      Park Overtime – OVERTIME parking is enforced Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm.  It is NOT enforced on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). 

2.      Block a driveway.

3.      Park so the parked vehicle partially blocks a driveway.

4.      Block an intersection.

5.      Park so the parked vehicle encroaches an intersection.

6.      Park in a space designated by signage as a “Bus Stop.”

7.      Park so that the left (driver’s) side of a vehicle is against the curbing of the roadway. This is commonly called “Parking Against the Traffic Flow” or “Parking Against the Flow” and is our most common violation.

8.      Park in a loading zone.

9.      Park in a space designated “No Parking.”

10.  Park in any alley.

11.  Park on a sidewalk.

12.  Park so the vehicle occupies a portion of two marked parking spaces.

There are FREE public parking lots located at 208 West Main Street and 425 West Main Street.

The APD warmly welcomes your visit to our community.  Abingdon thrives on tourism, and we hope that your visit will be greeted with smiling faces and a friendly atmosphere.  

Temporary Lane Closure for June 2017

APD Call Log May 15th-21st, 2017

WE ARE HIRING!

APD Call Log May 8th-14th, 2017

Community Members Encouraged to ‘Go Blue’ for National Police Week- May 15th-21st, 2017

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

Community Members Encouraged to ‘Go Blue’ for National Police Week

The Abingdon Police Department is encouraging residents, businesses, academic intuitions, and places of worship, to show their support for law enforcement by displaying something blue on their property during National Police Memorial Week, May 15^th-21^st, 2017.

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

To show support for police officers nationwide, the APD is asking people to display a blue porch light, blue ribbons, or blue balloons throughout the week.

“National Police Week is a great time to remember the sacrifices of officers both locally and nationally,” said APD Chief Tony Sullivan. “No matter whether the sacrifice is made across the country, or on the streets of our local community, there are men and women who risk their personal safety daily for the protection of the liberties of others. Please join us in recognizing the service of the men and women of law enforcement.”

Send us pictures of you or your business/organization “Going Blue” during National Police Week. You can email the pictures to crimereport@abingdonva.us and we will share them on our social media pages.

Thank you for all your support!

APD Call Log May 1st-7th, 2017

Officer Lucy-- Paying It Forward

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

On Friday, April 28th, Officer Eric Lucy was dispatched to the 300 block of Towne Centre Drive in reference to a family, with small children, panhandling in the parking lot. As Officer Lucy approached the family, he realized that they did not speak English. After communicating with them in both French and Spanish, Officer Lucy determined that the family was on the east coast for work, when the job ended leaving the family without income.  The family was traveling back to California to reunite with other family members.  The father stated they were out of money and left with no alternative to get back to California.  The family was in need of money for food for the children and gas for their vehicle to make it to I-40 in Tennessee. 

Recognizing their need, Officer Lucy went to a nearby ATM and withdrew $50.00 from his own account so that the family could make it out of town without further issues and find a more favorable location.  Before departing, Officer Lucy advised the family of the prohibitions against panhandling in certain areas and advised them to stay off of private property unless they had permission from the property owner.  Further, Officer Lucy provided the family with his business card in case they contacted law enforcement again and they had any questions or had a language issue when speaking with them.

The actions of Officer Lucy exemplify the term “going above and beyond.”  As an agency, we are fortunate to have Officer Lucy, and many others like him, as part of our department and our community. We are proud that Officer Lucy chose a career protecting our community and THANK him for taking this opportunity to pay kindness forward. Thank you for a job well done and a community well served. 

APD Call Log Apr 24th-30th, 2017