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Stay Informed!

From safety tips to crime updates to community activities, the Abingdon Police Department uses a variety of social media platforms to keep you informed. We encourage you to use all of the outlets listed below and stay connected with us in 2017.

DONATE BLOOD!

Have you ever donated blood? If not, let me ask you a few questions:

Have you ever secretly wanted to be a hero? You know, someone who can actually save the life of another.

Do you know someone who is currently, or has been in the hospital?

Do you have a free thirty minutes?
 

Do you know someone fighting cancer?

Do you have a friend or a loved one who has ever been involved in a traumatic accident?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you need to give blood. There are patients and accident victims counting on you and need your blood to help them live. They need you to be a hero. As an advocate of this cause, I encourage everyone to give blood TODAY. It only takes 30 minutes and the blood you give stays local. The best part is that your donation will make you, not just a hero, but a SUPER HERO!

On Monday, I gave blood at Johnston Memorial Hospital in the Blood Assurance donor center.  I signed in, they took my blood pressure, I filled out paperwork on the computer, they stuck me, and I gave a unit of blood (simple as that). That single unit of blood will go to help not just one person, but has the potential to save three lives.  Imagine that! The work of a Super Hero without even breaking a sweat!

You may be wondering why I am so persistent about this issue. Well, my oldest daughter was born prematurely. She required an infusion of red cells to help jump start her tiny body.  The hospital obtained those red cells from the blood bank.  After seeing the miracle of blood work in my own daughter, I became a donor.

In addition to premature births, blood is used for cancer patients, automobile and trauma patients, cardiovascular surgeries, burn victims, and patients undergoing organ and marrow transplants.  Thirty (30) minutes of your time is invaluable in the lives of others. In our country someone needs blood every two seconds. The sad part is that less than 10 percent of the eligible U.S. population donates annually, and there is no substitute for human blood. Nationally, one in seven people entering a hospital need blood; and women receive 53 percent of blood transfusions (largely related to complications during child birth).

You don't have to be Super Human to be a Super Hero. The good people at the Blood Assurance Blood Donation Center inside JMH are ready to collect your donation!  Healthy adults who are 16 years old and weigh at least 120 pounds are eligible to donate whole blood (Imagine that, a 120 pound Super Hero!). Now, I am not going to tell you that the process is pain free, but it is not nearly as bad as it used to be! A sample will be taken from your finger to determine your eligibility.  If you pass the initial test, you will get a stick in the arm to collect your sample (Yes, it hurts a little, but aren't you a Super Hero?  Superman stops bullets with his chest; surely you can take a stick in the arm).

Still not convinced? Let me give you a few more reasons to donate:

1. Snacks! You get free food to replenish nutrients lost in the process.
2. You will weigh less when you finish.
3. You can take a break from exercise and heavy lifting for a day or two after donating.
4. It is something that you can do on equal footing with the rich and famous - although most of them are too scared to donate.
5. You walk a little taller afterwards and you feel very good about yourself!
6. It is the right thing to do.

Please consider giving blood today. If not today, tomorrow.  Others are depending on you to be a hero for them. Who knows, I might need your blood to save me one day.

VFW Post 1994 Fundraiser

On February 11, 2017, the VFW Post 1994 will conduct a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at the Southwest Virginia 4-H Center, 25236 Hillman Highway, Abingdon, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The fundraiser will support our high school student scholarship program, which provides $3,000.00 in scholarships annually to deserving seniors. Tickets are $10.00. Kids under 12 years of age are FREE. Tickets are available from any Post member or at the door. For more information, email vfwpost1994@gmail.com.

APD Pursuit 12-30-16

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

On Friday, December 30, 2016, at approximately 2:30PM, Abingdon Police Officers D.M. Farris and J.N. Carty were on patrol on A Street. Officer Farris spotted a Blue KIA Sedona van with an expired inspection sticker and attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. When he activated his blue lights and siren, the vehicle gained speed and proceeded to drive recklessly through the Kings Mountain neighborhood. The driver abruptly stopped the vehicle in the middle of the 300 block of B Street and jumped out, fleeing on foot behind a building. After a brief foot chase, Officers Farris and Carty took Wendy Reynolds, 37, of 1134 West Main Street, Saltville, Virginia, into custody. A search of Reynolds yielded several pills, hypodermic needles, other paraphernalia type items.

 Reynolds was arrested and transported to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail. Officers obtained warrants, charging her with Felony Elude Police, in violation of § 46.2-817 of the Code of Virginia; Driving While Suspended/Revoked 3rd Offense, in violation of § 46.2-301 the Code of Virginia; and Possession of Paraphernalia, in violation of § 54.1-3466 the Code of Virginia. Reynolds was also served an outstanding capias from Washington County, Virginia. Additional charges are pending for the narcotics violations.

Pictured: Wendy Reynolds, 37, of 1134 West Main Street, Saltville, Virginia.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day – Monday, January 9, 2017

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day – Monday, January 9, 2017

Show your support by wearing blue, shine blue lights from your home, thank a police officer, etc.  Send the Abingdon Police Department your pictures of you and your businesses/organizations showing support for law enforcement. You can email the pictures to crimereport@abingdonva.us. We will share them on our facebook and twitter pages.

Thank you for your continued support for us and law enforcement all over the country!

New Year's Eve Safety Tips

The Abingdon Police Department would like New Year's Eve to be a fun, but safe experience for everyone. Here are a few tips for those that are hosting parties and those that are heading out.

Hosting a party? 

A few simple rules could prevent a tragedy:

·         Confirm guests have a plan for a safe way home through a non-drinking designated driver. Think ahead by naming a “designated driver.” Make this your responsibility as the host.

·         Plan activities like party games or door prize drawings that do not involve alcohol and engage people, resulting in a lower consumption of alcohol.

·         Serve non-alcoholic beverages as an option to your guests. Do not push drinks. Drinking at a party is not mandatory to have a good time.

·         Provide plenty of food to keep guests from drinking on an empty stomach. But avoid too many salty snacks, which tend to make people thirsty and drink more.

·         Offer non-alcoholic beverages to non-drinking designated drivers and others who prefer not to drink alcohol. Never serve alcohol to someone under 21.

·         Stop serving alcohol to your guests several hours before the party ends.

·         If, despite your efforts, some of your guests have had too much to drink, never let them drive home impaired. Have a sober driver on hand to drive them home or offer your sofa to guests who need to stay put.

·         To be a good host, you should stay within your limits in order to make sure your guests stay within theirs.

Going out?

·         If you drink, don’t drive!

·         Plan ahead and always designate a sober driver before the party or celebration begins.

·         If you are impaired, call a sober friend or family member to come pick you up.

·         Or, stay where you are until you are sober.

·         Never get in a car with someone who has been drinking.

·         If you see someone driving drunk, always call the police.

·         Take the keys from someone if you think he/she is too impaired to drive. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. They’ll thank you for it.

Drinking? Don’t leave your drink unattended where someone could put something in it.

Public Events: Be aware of your surroundings. Do not go alone, bring a friend.

Happy New Year!

Have a safe and wonderful evening and thank you for all your support through 2016. 

2016 APD Employee of the Year

2016 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 employee whom they feel has contributed the most to the town and to the department during the previous year.

Chief Sullivan presented the 2016 Employee of the Year award to Officer J.N. Carty. Officer Carty holds himself to the highest ethical standards at all times and provides a positive and reassuring presence to all he encounters. We are truly grateful to have him as part of the APD!