Wednesday, December 27, 2017

The Never-ending Quest to be a Social Media Star

In our ever growing narcissistic society, people will do anything to be the next YouTube sensation or social media star. Unfortunately, their brilliant ideas are not often well planned. The combination of youth, the immediate need for attention, and poor planning are often a dangerous combination.
Recently, four local teens decided it would be a good idea to video their apparent shoplifting trip to a local convenience store. The video shows the youngsters boisterously walking in to the establishment, grabbing a few items and running back to the apparent "getaway" car. The video from inside the car, after the apparent theft, was filled with celebratory congratulations and excitement. What the video does not show is that it was all false. The entire thing was set up by the teens in an attempt to be famous on social media.
However, what really took place is quite different. In reality, the teens entered the store - without video rolling - and purchased several items. Next, they informed the clerk that they were making a video for a school project and asked if they could put the items back on the shelf and return a few minutes later with video running and "steal" the items that they previously purchased. The clerk agreed to allow the teens to carry out their ruse, thinking that it was for an educational experience.
The event was posted to social media, causing several concerned parents to contact the police. After a brief investigation, the teens admitted that the entire shoplifting episode was staged in an attempted to become famous on social media. They added that they had seen similar videos on Instagram and YouTube, and that they had gone viral.
While thinking of how to address this case, I ran across this anonymous quote:
"On the internet you can be anything you want. It's strange that so many people choose to be stupid."
As an agency, we greatly appreciate the parents who were concerned enough for the safety and welfare of others to take the time to contact the police over this incident. Parents like this will raise our next generation to be productive citizens. However, it seems that our narcissistic age has caused us to forget how society functions. In our society, there are people who are inherently good and helpful. These are people who run in to burning buildings to save those inside, when all others are fleeing from them. They do not do this to be the next YouTube hit or Instagram star. They do it because they are good to the core. That is how God made them. These are the same people who will attempt stop a robber or a thief in their tracks. Simply because it is the right thing to do.
The teens in our case thought that they had all of the variables under control. They scouted the store, spoke with the clerk, paid for and re-shelved the items. What they could not control was the next customer to pull on to the parking lot. Would it be an off-duty police officer, military veteran, or a citizen exercising her 2nd amendment right to open or concealed carry? This could have gone wrong 1,000 different ways, but it didn't. After thinking about all that could have gone wrong with this case, I don't really believe that the teens in our case were stupid, they were just plain lucky.
Before your next social media stunt, please consider those who are not in on the joke. I would hate for a well intention bystander to commit to an irreversible action, all because of a hoax.

Update on MVC involving WCSO Deputies

On Thursday, December 21, 2017, at 11:33 PM, Abingdon Police Department officers responded to the intersection of West Main Street and Cummings Street in reference to a traffic crash involving two marked patrol units from the Washington County, VA Sheriff's Office. The deputies were responding to a domestic violence call on Fall Hill Road in Washington County, VA.
Emergency vehicle operations in the Commonwealth of Virginia are governed by 46.2–920 of the code. That section stipulates that emergency operation can occur if the emergency vehicle is using lights and sirens and there is a certificate of insurance in place. Further, the vehicle must be operated with due regard for the safety of others.
The Abingdon Police Department will be investigating the crash to ensure that each of the criteria was met by the officers who were operating vehicles in an emergency manner. The results of the investigation will be forwarded to the Commonwealth Attorney for charging determination.

APD Call Log December 11th-25th, 2017










Friday, December 15, 2017

SCAM ALERT: Impersonating A Deputy

SCAM ALERT:
Several residents have received phone calls from someone impersonating a Deputy. The caller identifies themselves as Deputy Aaron Dean and states that the person is being held for contempt of court for missing jury duty. The caller then tells the person to stay on the line (or they will face more fines or charges) and obtain a $500 prepaid card to send to them. 

The number this person is calling from is 276-595-50XX, which comes back to a Max Meadows, VA location but no name associated with the number. 

Please be aware of this SCAM and spread the word to others. DO NOT give your information to anyone over the phone!



SCAM ALERT: Photo Monitoring Device Ticket

SCAM ALERT:
A resident received a phone call from someone stating they had received a ticket from a photo monitoring device on a traffic light in Abingdon, VA. The caller advised that the person would be receiving the ticket in the mail or would need to call back to pay the ticket over the phone.

The number this person called from is 276-701-45XX, which comes back to a Richlands, VA location.


Please be aware that this is a SCAM and the Town of Abingdon, VA does not use these types of devices on their traffic signals. For more information on § 15.2-968.1, Code of Virginia regarding the use of photo-monitoring systems to enforce traffic light signals visit- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter9/section15.2-968.1/


Wednesday, December 13, 2017

2017 APD Employee of the Year

The Abingdon Police Department recognizes outstanding service to our community by our sworn and civilian employees by awarding an Employee of the Year. The employee’s peers select the person whom they feel has contributed the most to the town and to the department during the previous year.
Chief Sullivan presented the 2017 Employee of the Year award to Evidence Custodian, Angela Sullins. E.C. Sullins holds herself to the highest ethical standards at all times and provides a positive and reassuring presence to all she encounters. Her co-workers cite her helpfulness and willingness to provide answers to tricky evidence questions as her biggest contributions to the agency. We are truly grateful to have her as part of the APD family and extremely proud to recognize her as our Employee of the Year!



Tuesday, December 12, 2017

APD Retirement

On Saturday evening, December 9th, the APD family came together to celebrate the blessings of the Christmas season and to say goodbye to three of our longest tenured members. SRO Allen Hay, Sgt. Charlie Overbay, and Lt. Bill Snodgrass decided that it is time to retire.  Their retirement creates a void in the department.  Collectively, they have nearly a century of experience (98 years, 2 months to be exact). While we will miss their experience, an even greater loss is their humor, stories, and the rolls they play in our community. Those of us that remain, and those hired to stand on the line for them, will have to up our levels of performance to fill the void created by their absence. 

SRO Allen Hay was hired as a patrol officer on December 28, 1987 and retires as a School Resource Officer at Abingdon High School with 29 years, 6 months of service.

Sgt. Charlie Overbay was hired on January 30, 1989.  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on November 5, 2004 and retires at this rank.  He retires with 28 years, 11 months of service.   

Lt. Bill Snodgrass was hired on March 8, 1978. He was promoted to Corporal in July, 1983, and two years later was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on July 1, 1985. He earned the rank of Lieutenant on July 1, 1989, and was the agencies primary investigator until he was assigned to field operations on May 1, 2002.  He retires at the rank of Lieutenant with 39 years, 9 months of service.


Please join us in thanking these men for their service and wishing them well as they begin a new chapter in their lives.







Monday, December 11, 2017

APD Call Log December 4th-December 10th, 2017





Showdown SUNDAY is Coming!

Showdown SUNDAY is Coming!

At the APD we take our sports, and sports rivalries, very seriously! Sunday, December 17th is a special day for us.  On this day, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team will travel to The Summitt to take on the Tennessee Volunteers.

This game has great implications for the APD.  This contests will have two of our best sports fans, and trash talkers, in a head to head battle.  On one side we have the world's biggest Tar Heel fan, Investigator Chris Jennings and on the other, the woman who bleeds orange, our community relations coordinator, and social media guru, Ms. Tenille Montgomery.

Knowing importance of this game around the office, we arranged a friendly wager between the two.  If UNC wins, Ms. Montgomery must wear UNC apparel for a full work day.  If UT wins, Investigator Jennings must wear the orange of the Volunteers!

Photos will follow - no matter who the winner may be. 

You can join in as well, comment with your choice:


"Montgomery" if you choose UT or "Jennings" if you think UNC will be the victor!