The Franklin community is getting into the holiday spirit: decorations are going up on Main Street and at the Mall, the Christmas parade and tree lighting are scheduled, parties and family events are on the calendar, vacations are planned, there are Christmas programs at area schools and churches, and homes are being covered in lights and greenery. The holidays are special in our city, and this is one of many reasons we all love living here.

The men and women of the FPD want you to have a safe and joyous holiday. We are gearing up, and here are some of the things your Franklin Police Officers are doing now and all through the holidays:

Franklin neighborhoods, apartment complexes, and businesses are being saturated with extra patrols in both marked and unmarked cars on all three shifts; officers are working overtime shifts to ensure extra coverage during this busy time.

We will be sharing information you need to know throughout the holiday season. If you are not signed up for the Franklin Police Department’s various communications channels, please do it now:

• FranklinPDnews.com: You can opt-in with your email address to get email alerts the moment we publish a news release.
• Franklin Police on Twitter
• Nixle Citizen Alerts on things that we need residents to know of and take action on, immediately. Those alerts are few and far between…probably less than a dozen a year. Just text your zip code to 888777 to opt in.
• And finally, Nextdoor.com. Search for your neighborhood and opt-in. We put out some geographically-based info there when we just need to get word to a specific neighborhood or two.
• If you’ve ever been curious about what crime looks like in and around your Franklin neighborhood, you can visit Franklin PD’s CrimeReports.com and enter your address. The search is highly customizable, so you can get a good understanding of recent and historical incidents in areas of town that matter most to you.

You will see the Franklin Police Department’s Incident Command Vehicle at the CoolSprings Galleria. There will be an aggressive effort to monitor anyone who comes to our shopping areas with criminal activity on their mind. We do not write citations – just like in the game of Monopoly, they will go directly to jail.

The Franklin Police Department has a camera I call our “eye in the sky”—it will be moved throughout the city to monitor large public events. It is marked with our logo–you will see it at the Christmas Parade, so stop by and check it out.

If you are planning on going out of town, especially during the holidays, you can request officers to check on your home by simply going to our website and signing up for our free Vacation Check Service.

When officers spot something out of place or a potential safety issue while on patrol in your neighborhood, you might find a Crime Prevention Form from an officer advising you what they noted, simply to bring it to your attention and request your assistance.

Many citizens often ask me, “How can I help the Department?”  Here are some suggestions:

• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle, i.e. purses, backpacks, phones, computers, tablets, money, credit cards, guns, etc.
• When you return from a shopping trip, do not leave packages in your car where a criminal might see them. This also applies when you go from one store to another – do not leave packages where someone could smash your window and grab what you just bought.
• If you have visitors, please have them bring their packages and luggage in with them – do not leave them where they can be seen overnight.
• Lock your vehicle and do not leave a key for someone to find. Some people leave an extra key in their glove compartment or console – this is a bad idea.
• Do not leave your vehicle running and unattended. Warming it up in your driveway or a parking lot while you run in for a quick second can be an invitation for trouble.
• An open garage door overnight can increase your chances of becoming a victim. Please remember to leave them closed.
• Always be aware of any valuables you have in a shopping cart, especially purses/wallets.
• While officers are doing extra patrols, they are watching when delivery people have left packages at your door – Criminals called “porch pirates” could be following delivery trucks and take packages left on your porch. If you have a place the delivery person can conceal your package, advise them when you place your orders.

If you see or hear anything or anyone that looks suspicious, please do not hesitate to contact the Franklin Police Department: (615) 794-2513.

We value the people we serve and will be working hard to help keep you safe from any Grinch who wants to ruin your holiday.

From behind the badge,
Chief Deborah Faulkner, EdD

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