TRAFFIC ADVISORY FOR ABINGDON KIWANIS CHRISTMAS PARADE 2017

Abingdon Police Department

                                               

For Immediate Release

Traffic Advisory for abingdon kiwanis christmas Parade

The Abingdon Kiwanis Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, December 2, 2017. The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. however, street closures will occur earlier to allow the parade to line up. 

Be alert for pedestrians and prepare for detours, delays, and officers directing traffic.

            If you are traveling through Abingdon, or plan to attend the parade, you are encouraged to leave at least an hour earlier than planned to insure that you reach your destination on time. Above all, be prepared to wait. Traffic will be heavy and there will be a large number of pedestrians in the downtown area. 

Officers deployed for this event have certain priorities, the first of which is pedestrian safety.  Honking your horn or attempting to initiate conversation with officers directing traffic is not advised.  Officers are in place for the safety of those attending the parade, including themselves.  Traffic will be too heavy for officers to answer questions from each passing car, while avoiding traffic coming from the opposite direction. They are not escorts or valets.

The Code of Virginia addresses drivers who do not obey officers, ignore their signals, or drive around barricades:

§ 46.2-834. Signals by law-enforcement officers, crossing guards, and flaggers.

A. Law-enforcement officers may assume control of traffic at any intersection, regardless of whether such intersection is controlled by lights, controlled by other traffic control devices, or uncontrolled. Whenever any law-enforcement officer so assumes control of traffic, all drivers of vehicles shall obey his signals.

B. Law-enforcement officers and uniformed school crossing guards may assume control of traffic otherwise controlled by lights, and in such event, signals by such officers and uniformed crossing guards shall take precedence over such traffic control devices.

§ 46.2-852 Reckless driving; general rule.

Irrespective of the maximum speeds permitted by law, any person who drives a vehicle on any highway recklessly or at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person shall be guilty of reckless driving.

Street closures will occur on the following schedule:

·         East Main Street will be closed from Hutton Street to Court Street from 4:00 p.m., until the parade concludes.

o   Motorist needing to access this area of East Main Street should use exit 17 from Interstate 81 to access East Main Street.

·         East Main Street from Court Street to Cummings Street will be closed to traffic at 5:45 p.m. to clear the parade route.

o   Motorist needing to access the Barter Theatre, Barter Stage 2 or the Martha Washington Inn before 5:45 p.m. should plan to arrive prior to that time.

·         West Main Street from Cummings Street to Route 19 will be closed to eastbound traffic at 5:45 p.m.

·         Westbound traffic from Court Street to Route 19 will be allowed to use West Main Street until the parade approaches.

Drive safely and have a great experience in downtown Abingdon.

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APD Call Log November 20th-27th, 2017

“MAKE IT TO THE TABLE”

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Make It to the Table: Don’t Drink and Drive this Thanksgiving Eve

Abingdon, VA Police Department urges consumers to plan a sober ride

Abingdon, VA–  As millions of Americans get on the roads to travel home and spend the Thanksgiving holiday reconnecting with friends and loved ones, the Abingdon, VA Police Department is serving them a reminder: “Make It to the Table: Don’t Drink and Drive this Thanksgiving Eve.”

The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is a cultural phenomenon called “Thanksgiving Eve,” an evening associated with drinking and a big night for bars. From 2012 to 2016, more than 800 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period (6:00 p.m. Wednesday to 5:59 a.m. Monday), making it the deadliest holiday on our roads.

The Abingdon, VA Police Department and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be running a blitz social media campaign, “Make It to the Table: Don’t Drink and Drive this Thanksgiving Eve.” On Nov. 22, the day before Thanksgiving, all of Abingdon, VA Police Department’s social media channels will be exclusively sharing content on the importance of not drinking and driving, and planning ahead for a sober ride home – a true takeover. Social posts, Instagram images, and tweets with hashtags #buzzeddriving and #designateddriver will be available for organizations to participate and help distribute this critical message.

The APD is urging the public and the media to help spread the word, and to take precautions, so everyone can make it to the table this Thanksgiving by:

-Planning ahead and designating a sober driver before the first drink.

-Using public transportation, a taxi, ride share service, or your community’s sober ride program to get home safely.

-If you see a drunk driver on the road, dial 9-1-1.

-Whether riding or driving, always wear your seat belt.

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APD Call Log November 6th-12th, 2017

584 Norfolk Street Incident- 11-10-17

Abingdon Police Department

                                     

For Immediate Release

On Friday, November 10^th, 2017, at approximately 8:56PM, Abingdon Police were dispatched to 584 Norfolk Street in reference to a breaking and entering of a residence. 

Upon arrival, officers found the doors to the mobile home were unlocked. After getting permission from the owner, the officers checked the residence and discovered one room was barricaded at both entrances. Officers could hear movement inside the room but were unable to get a response from the people inside. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and Tactical Team were dispatched to the location for assistance. When the subjects heard the K-9 unit, officers began to see movement in the underpinning of the mobile home. Officers removed the underpinning and apprehended Kandust M. Garrett, 21, of 14508 Providence Road, Abingdon; and Harvey R. Reynolds, 20, of 234 Wiley Street, Abingdon. They were taken into custody, questioned by investigators, and transported to the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail. 

Garrett was charged with Obstruction of Justice, in violation of § 18.2-460 of the Code of Virginia; and Common Law Trespassing, in violation of § 18.2-119 of the Code of Virginia. She is being held on a $3000 secured bond. 

Reynolds was charged with Obstruction of Justice, in violation of § 18.2-460 of the Code of Virginia; and Common Law Trespassing, in violation of § 18.2-119 of the Code of Virginia. He is being held on a $3500 secured bond. 

The Abingdon Police Department expresses sincerest thanks to the Washington County Sheriff’s Officer for their assistance with this incident.

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APD Call Log October 30th-November 5th, 2017

Buddy Poppies Veterans Day 2017

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1994 will be distributing Buddy Poppies in Abingdon from 9am to 7pm on November 10^th and 9am to 5pm on November 11^th and 13^th 2017, at Kroger, Food City and Food Country. The red poppy is meant to remind us of all the Veterans who have sacrificed to ensure our freedoms. Please join us in honoring our Veterans.

APD Call Log October 23rd-30th, 2017