Law Enforcement And Mental Health

Abingdon Police Department 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The week of July 23rd- 29th, 2017, the Abingdon Police Department responded to seven mental health calls. These cases came at the following costs:

• 77.5 hours were spent waiting in the ER for patient clearance and patient transport.  This translates in to 77.5 hours that were not spent patrolling our streets. In short, out of the 168 hour week, the citizens of Abingdon experienced a reduced officer presence for almost 1/2 of the week.

• 1,406.6 miles were spent in patient transport.  Our officers average approximately 135 miles per shift. This equates to 10 shifts of patrol time that were spent elsewhere in the Commonwealth, as opposed to patrolling to enhance the safety for the citizens of Abingdon.

• $2,368.64 at a direct cost to tax payers.  The time, expense, and mileage costs are not reimbursed by any agency. These costs come directly from the police department budget. There is no provision in law for the department to seek reimbursement from the Commonwealth or insurance companies.

It is my hope that the legislature will address this issue, for good, in the next legislative session.  The putting patients in the back of patrol cars and driving them across the state for treatment is not the answer.  It stigmatizes the issues of mental health, is uncomfortable for the patient, creates mistrust in the patient's view of law enforcement, and reduces the safety of our communities.  The answer is not in how far away treatment is, but how close should it be.  We need to remove the police from the mental health equation.  Other states seem to have solved this equation years ago; I would think there are models out there to follow.

-Chief Sullivan

WCYB story on SWVa. law enforcement exhaust resources transporting mental health patients.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Virginia Highlands Festival Pedestrian Traffic

Abingdon Police Department

For Immediate Release

TRAFFIC ADVISORY:

During the VA Highlands Festival (Friday, July 28^th, 2017-Sunday, August 6^th, 2017), please be alert for heavy pedestrian traffic in front of the Barter Theatre (127 West Main Street). This area will experience greater pedestrian use because of the festival access point at Partington Place.

With the warmer weather and the festival events, the APD wants to remind the public about pedestrian safety. Here are some helpful hints to remember:

Pedestrians:

·       Press activation button at the crosswalk in front of the Barter theater and wait for traffic to stop.

·       Always cross at marked crosswalks. Pedestrians forfeit their rights as a pedestrian if they cross elsewhere.

·       If a crosswalk is unavailable, be sure to find a well-lit spot on the road to cross and wait for a long enough gap in traffic to make it safely across the street.

·       Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If a sidewalk is not available, be sure to walk on the far side of the road facing traffic. This will help increase your visibility to drivers and afford pedestrians with the opportunity to take evasive actions if needed.

·       Obey any pedestrian signs/signals and look left-right-left to make sure the road is clear in both directions before crossing.

·       Always make eye contact with drivers of stopped or slowing vehicles to be sure they see you before you cross.

·       Look before walking past stopped vehicles. Do not cross just because a driver waves you on. Be sure all lanes are clear first.

·       Remember that vehicles are legally obligated to stop for pedestrians once you are in the crosswalk.  Do not infer that drivers have to stop simply because you are standing on the sidewalk waiting to cross.

Motorists:

·       Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.

·       Be prepared to stop at all marked crosswalks. Stay alert and reduce speed in areas with crosswalks.

·       Come to a complete stop if pedestrians are crossing or preparing to cross.

·       When you are stopped at a crosswalk, allow enough room between your vehicle and the crosswalk so other drivers can see the pedestrians you have stopped for.

·       Be watchful for pedestrians and doors opening on the street side from parked cars. 

·       Limit distractions while driving, such as eating, smoking, and using the cell phone.

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2017 VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL INFORMATION

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

2017 Virginia Highlands Festival Information

The annual Virginia Highlands Festival will be held Friday, July 28^th, 2017 through Sunday, August 6^th, 2017 in Abingdon. The arts and crafts section of the festival has been moved to the Barter Green across from the Barter Theatre. Music events will be held at the Abingdon Market Pavilion on Remsburg Drive. The antiques market will be located at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.

Road Closures for the event:

Partington Place at East Main Street will be closed each day from Main Street to the exit of the Martha Washington Inn's parking lot from 09:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. between July 28th and August 6th.

Remsburg Drive will be closed from the Farmer's Market to Cummings Street on the following dates and times:

·         July 28th at 4:00 P.M. to July 30th at 11:00 P.M.

·         August 1st at 4:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

·         August 3rd at 4:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

·         August 5th at 4:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

Parking:

The Abingdon Police Department wants to remind festival visitors of parking restrictions. Like all t tourist communities, Abingdon has several parking regulations that you should be familiar with to avoid 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.

Parking will be limited and in high demand.  Street parking is available at the municipal parking lot (across from Ellis Soda Shop) and is free to the public.  However, these spaces will fill quickly.  To accommodate visitors, there is free parking at Heartwood (exit 14) and at Roses (exit 19).  A shuttle will run from the parking areas between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day.  You can avoid the traffic downtown by parking at Heartwood or Roses and taking the shuttle to event locations around Abingdon.

Coolers:

Coolers are not allowed inside the festival area.

The APD warmly welcomes your visit to our community.  We hope that your visit will be greeted with smiling faces and a friendly atmosphere.  

APD Call Log July 17th-23rd, 2017

Schedule Change: I-81 exit 14 northbound off ramp temporarily closing starting midnight July 31 (Sunday night/Monday morning)

SCHEDULE CHANGE
INTERSTATE 81 EXIT 14 NORTHBOUND OFF RAMP

TEMPORARILY CLOSING

Closure begins at midnight July 31, will be in place approximately 15 days

BRISTOL – Beginning midnight July 31 (Sunday night/Monday morning), the northbound Interstate 81 exit 14 off ramp will be closed for approximately 15 days and motorists will use exit 13 to access the exit 14 area. 

Northbound traffic will use exit 13 and either Route 11 or Old Jonesboro Road to access locations around exit 14. Motorist will have access to Old Jonesboro Road underneath exit 14 and access to the northbound exit 14 on ramp to I-81. The southbound I-81 on and off ramps will NOT be impacted.

The closure of the off ramp is necessary to finish the connection between the new off ramp and the interstate. Following the closure, northbound traffic will be using the new section of roadway, new bridge and new ramp for exit 14.

During the off ramp closure, the blue traveler information signs at exit 14 will be temporarily located to exit 13 to help visitors find their destinations. There will also be message boards to direct Virginia Highlands Festival traffic to Old Jonesboro Road.

The reconstruction of the Interstate 81 exit 14 interchange in Abingdon was awarded in late 2015 and work began in January 2016.

W-L Construction & Paving, Inc., Chilhowie, Va., received the $29 million contract which includes replacement of the two interstate bridges over Route 647 (Old Jonesboro Road); separation of the northbound exit and entrance ramps; widening of Old Jonesboro Road;  modification of Dennison Drive; and adding signals at the ramp intersections.

The entire project is currently scheduled to be complete fall 2018.     

(END)

APD Call Log July 10th-17th, 2017

Interstate 81 exit 14 northbound off ramp temporarily closing

TRAFFIC ALERT:

INTERSTATE 81 EXIT 14 NORTHBOUND OFF RAMP
TEMPORARILY CLOSING
Closure begins at midnight July 27, will be in place approximately 15 days

BRISTOL – Beginning midnight July 27 (Wednesday night/Thursday morning), the northbound Interstate 81 exit 14 off ramp will be closed for approximately 15 days and motorists will use exit 13 to access the exit 14 area.

Northbound traffic will use exit 13 and either Route 11 or Old Jonesboro Road to access locations around exit 14.

The closure of the off ramp is necessary to finish the connection between the new off ramp and the interstate. Following the closure, northbound traffic will be using the new section of roadway, new bridge and new ramp for exit 14.

During the off ramp closure, the blue traveler information signs at exit 14 will be temporarily located to exit 13 to help visitors find their destinations. There will also be message boards to direct Virginia Highlands Festival traffic to Old Jonesboro Road.

The reconstruction of the Interstate 81 exit 14 interchange in Abingdon was awarded in late 2015 and work began in January 2016.

W-L Construction & Paving, Inc., Chilhowie, Va., received the $29 million contract which includes replacement of the two interstate bridges over Route 647 (Old Jonesboro Road); separation of the northbound exit and entrance ramps; widening of Old Jonesboro Road; modification of Dennison Drive; and adding signals at the ramp intersections.

The entire project is currently scheduled to be complete fall 2018.

(END)

Blood Assurance Hosts Third Annual Battle of the Badges Blood

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blood Assurance Hosts Third Annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive

On Friday, July 28, 2017, members of the Abingdon Police Department, Abingdon Fire Department, Washington County, VA Sheriff’s Office, and Washington County Life Saving Crew are joining forces for the Third Annual Battle of the Badges blood drive. A trophy will be awarded to the department with the most blood donors.  The drive will be held in the parking lot of the Abingdon Police Department at 425 West Main Street, Abingdon, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

“Donating blood is a way that we can all be a hero in our community.  By donating to Blood Assurance, you insure that your donation will be used locally.  Blood Assurance is the sole provider of blood for Johnston Memorial Hospital, Russell County Medical Center, and Smyth County Hospital.

Donating blood is simple, takes a small amount of time, and is relatively painless.  Sadly, many who are eligible to donate, don't.  Many are busy, and others are simply afraid.   Nationally, less than ten percent of the U.S. population maintains the entire blood supply for our country.  For this reason, blood donors are special people. They take the time to, literally, give themselves to others.

This is part of the reason that we host the "Battle of the Badges" blood drive.  You do not have to be a member of an emergency service organization to join, but you can choose who gets to count your donation when you give and in the end, you will be a hero. 

This is our third "Battle of the Badges" drive and this year we have set a goal of collecting two hundred (200) units! This is a very sizable, but achievable, goal! However, the emergency services community firmly believes that the citizens we serve will donate on July 28th to reach this mark. To accommodate this we will have additional collection vehicles available for this drive.

We hope to see you at the Battle of the Badges!”- Abingdon Police Chief Sullivan  

Blood Assurance relies on all blood types, but especially those with type O-negative blood as it is the universal blood type. O-negative blood is given to patients in an emergency situation when their own blood type is unknown.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. The process usually takes about 30 minutes and includes a complimentary snack and a special “Battle of the Badges” t-shirt. Donors should eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids -avoiding caffeine- prior to giving blood.   

The blood drive is open to the public and everyone is encouraged to come donate in the name of your favorite public service agency. To help minimize your wait time, we encourage you to sign up at www.bloodassurance.org/abingdonbb for a time slot. If you are unable to give on July 28^th, you can stop by a Blood Assurance donor center at Johnston Memorial Hospital or Exit 7 in Bristol (next to Five Guys) from July 31^st-August 4^th and your donation will count towards the final total. 

APD Call Log June 26th-July 9th, 2017