Monthly Archives: April 2014

Candlelight Service to Shed Light on Child Abuse; Child advocate community unites Tuesday at Police Headquarters

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Franklin TN – As Child Abuse Prevention Month comes to a close, Franklin Police, Juvenile Court, Williamson County CASA, and the Davis House Child Advocacy Center will hold a candlelight celebration at Police Headquarters, Tuesday. The 20-minute service begins at 5:30 pm on 04/29/2014.

The goal:
To bring light to the reality that children in our community are abused,
and that there is help.

Child abuse and neglect affects more than three million of our nation’s children annually. In 2013, Williamson County CASA served over 300 children with matters before Juvenile Court; Franklin’s Davis House Child Advocacy Center provided services to 409 physically or sexually abused children.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to acknowledge the importance of working together to educate parents and childcare providers, and to commit ourselves to the protection of our community’s children.

We invite members of the greater Williamson County community to stand with us Tuesday, for kids’ sakes.

News organizations wishing to cover this event are asked to confirm their attendance by noon Tuesday,
via e-mail to zanniem@williamson-tn.org
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Got Drugs? Get them out of your home, into safe hands; Prescription pill take-back event, Saturday

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Got Drugs?Franklin, TN – Saturday, Franklin Police, The Williamson County Anti-Drug Coalition, the DEA, and Walgreens will host an event to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft. This free event is an opportunity for residents to rid their homes of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medicine.

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Franklin Police and The Williamson County Anti-Drug Coalition will be on hand to assist participants. For more information, visit www.MyWCADCtn.org.

Saturday, April 26, 2014 | 10am-2pm
Dispose of your pills or patches at Walgreens, 1509 Murfreesboro Rd in Franklin
Liquids, needles and sharps will not be accepted

For residents unable to attend Saturday’s event, the Franklin Police Department offers a 24/7 option for prescription drug disposal. Thanks to a partnership with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, residents in Franklin can responsibly rid themselves of unused and unwanted prescriptions with a simple trip to Police Headquarters, 900 Columbia Avenue. The secure disposal point in our lobby operates much like a mailbox or bank night deposit. Drugs dropped in are secured below, emptied by the Department’s Evidence Section, and incinerated.

Drug Box at FPD HQFranklin Police Department
Professional, Progressive, Responsive
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Franklin Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint

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Franklin, TN – On the evening of Friday, 04/25/2014, the Franklin Police Department will conduct a sobriety checkpoint at Hillsboro Road near Poteat Place.

Last year, the Governor’s Highway Safety Office awarded the Department with a $50,000 grant to use for anti-DUI initiatives including DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols, training, equipment and overtime for officers working this checkpoint.

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, impaired driving related crashes constitute one of the nation’s leading health problems. Impairment is a factor in 33% of all crashes in the United States and these events result in more deaths each year than all homicides.

Booze it and lose it spread
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Not Just for Golf, but Definitely not for Unlicensed Teens

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Franklin, TN – In the midst of summer, Franklin Police want to remind residents that the operation of golf carts on City streets is illegal. Area residents have reported seeing an increase in the number of unlicensed, teen drivers traveling through subdivisions on golf carts and low speed vehicles. In response to those complaints, Franklin Police are increasing patrols and stepping up enforcement to help curb the problem.

Golf Cart (55-1-123): A motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and equipped with safety belts installed for use in the left front and right front seats, and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 mph.

  •  Anyone caught operating a golf cart on a City street, except to cross at a 90 degree angle, will be cited.

Low Speed Vehicle (55-1-122): Any 4-wheeled electric or gasoline vehicle, excluding golf carts, whose top speed is greater than 20 mph but not greater than 25 mph including neighborhood electric vehicles. Low speed vehicles must comply with USDOT standards in 49 CFR 571.500.

  •  Anyone caught using a low speed vehicle on a public way must be in compliance with Tennessee child restraint laws; violators will be cited.
  •  Unlicensed drivers caught operating a low speed vehicle on a public way will be cited.
  • Anyone observed operating a modified golf cart that fails to meet each of the requirements in 49 CFR 571.500 will be cited.

Low speed vehicles, registered with the State of Tennessee, may be operated only by licensed drivers, and only on streets with a 35 mph or lower speed limit. Low speed vehicles must be equipped with the following:

• Headlamps;

• Front and rear turn signals;

• Tail lamps;

• Stop lamps;

• Red reflectors on both sides and the rear;

• Mirrors on the driver’s side and either interior or passenger side exterior;

• Parking brake;

• A windshield that conforms to the Federal motor vehicle safety standard on glazing materials (49 CFR 571.205);

• A vehicle identification number that confirms to the requirements of part 565 (Vehicle Identification Number) of this chapter, and

• A Type 1 or Type 2 seatbelt assembly conforming to Sec. 571.209 of this part, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No., 209, Seat Belt Assemblies, installed at each designated seating position.

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Chapmansboro Man Arrested After Exposing Himself in Parking Lot

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Franklin, TN – Yesterday at 1:30pm officers were notified of a man exposing himself to a female shopper in the parking lot of Kroger, 2020 Mallory Lane. A witness was able to relay a suspect description, along with the license plate of his vehicle to dispatchers. Responding officers spotted the vehicle as it was leaving the parking lot and arrested the driver, 19-year-old Christopher Garrison.

Christopher Ross Garrison Christopher Ross Garrison
Date of Birth: 06/03/1994
1140 Poole Road
Chapmansboro, TN 37035

Garrison, who is free on a $500 bond, was charged with Indecent Exposure. He is due in court on 04/24/2014 at 1:00pm.

Updated Scam Information by Suspects Seeking Green Dot MoneyPaks

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Don't fall victim: Hang up. Call PoliceOn March 26, the Franklin PD warned residents about a phone scam centering on a MoneyPak card scheme by someone claiming to be the electric company, threatening to turn off the victim’s power. Now, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about a similar scam by someone claiming to be one of their deputies, and threatening to arrest victims for missing jury duty unless they render payment via MoneyPak. Don’t fall victim: Hang up. Call police.

Below, see the Sheriff’s warning issued today, and the FPD warning of a similar phone scam last month:

-WCSO Warns Citizens About Jury Duty Scams-

Rebroadcast of information released by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office earlier today: The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is alerting county residents about a jury duty scam that has made its way into this county. Brentwood Police are investigating at least five reports of the scam. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating similar scams in the Murfreesboro area.

These latest scammers are making telephone calls to residents claiming to be representing the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office warrant division. Men, using the names Sgt. Kevin Taylor and Lt. Chris Cook, ask for residents by name. They say an arrest warrant will be issued for missing jury duty unless money is paid using a MoneyPak, which is a prepaid card. The callers told them to go to Rite Aid or CVS to purchase the cards and take them to 408 Century Court in Franklin.

These calls are not coming from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. The WCSO never calls anyone and asks for payment for missing jury duty. If you receive a phone call that you believe is a jury scam, report it to the Sheriff’s Office at 790-5550 or call your local police department.

For more information, contact Sharon Puckett, Public Information Administrator, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at (615) 440-3310.

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Released by Franklin Police on 03/26/2014:

Franklin Family Falls Victim to MoneyPak Card Scam
Suspect who pretended to be electric company, threatened disconnection

Franklin, TN – Scams used to swindle unsuspecting Middle Tennesseans out of their money through a popular cash-loadable card is on the rise, and Franklin residents are not immune. Just yesterday, a felon used the phone to call on a Franklin family, pretending to be the electric company. The female caller told the victim that her electricity would be turned off unless she immediately paid $300 using a MoneyPak card. With below-freezing Tuesday night lows forecasted, the victim acted quickly to satisfy the fee to avoid having her power cut off. With a trip to a local drugstore, the victim purchased a Green Dot MoneyPak, loading it with $300, providing the scam-artist with the PIN on the back of the card. The suspect then demanded another $300 MoneyPak transaction; the victim complied. Both cards had been emptied before the resident realized that she had fallen victim to fraud.

Franklin Police recommend never transferring funds through third-party wire or card services before first calling an official, listed telephone number for the company you are doing business with. Franklin Police have also confirmed that Middle Tennessee Electric never accepts payment over the telephone unless the call is initiated by the customer.

On the main page of its website, MoneyPak lists information on “How to Stop a Scam,” telling consumers to use their MoneyPak number only with businesses on their approved list. The site states, “If anyone else asks for your MoneyPak number or information from your receipt, it’s probably a scam.”

To send an anonymous tip to Franklin Police, text the keyword 615FPD, along with your message to 847411 (Tip411), or call Franklin Police at (615) 794-2513
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Police Investigating Franklin Big Lots Robbery Attempt

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Franklin, TN – The Franklin Police Department is investigating an attempted robbery that occurred at 12:36 this afternoon, at the Big Lots, 209 S. Royal Oaks Boulevard.

The suspect, a white male, 5’6” tall, in his late 50’s, wearing a tan hat, pull-over jacket, and blue jeans, approached a clerk and demanded money. The suspect did not display a weapon, and left after the clerk told him that she was unable to open the register. The suspect fled in a small silver vehicle, and remains at large.

Anyone with information can cash in on a reward of up to $1,000 with a call to Crime Stoppers:
(615) 794-4000.

To send an anonymous tip to Franklin Police, text the keyword 615FPD, along with your message to 847411 (Tip411),
or call Franklin Police at (615) 794-2513

Woman Arrested for DUI, Driving on Revoked-3 Following Weekend Crash; Drive Drunk, Get Nailed

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Franklin, TN – A Lewisburg woman remains in custody today after a weekend DUI crash. Franklin Police were summoned to I65 S near mile marker 68 at 12:52 am Sunday, for a reported crash. Arriving officers determined that 26-year-old Jessica Raines was impaired when she hit a concrete barrier along the Interstate.

Raines was arrested, charged with DUI and Driving on a Revoked License, 3rd Offense. She is being held in the Williamson County Jail on an $8,500 bond. Her preliminary court appearance is currently scheduled for 04/24/2014 at 1:00 pm.

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, impaired driving related crashes constitute one of the nation’s leading health problems. Impairment is a factor in 33% of all crashes in the United States, and these events result in more deaths each year than all homicides.

Jessica B. Raines Date of Birth: 03/24/1988 1058 Cornersville Rd. Lewisburg, TN 37091

Jessica B. Raines
Date of Birth: 03/24/1988
1058 Cornersville Rd.
Lewisburg, TN 37091

Drive Drunk, Get Nailed
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FPD Celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week; Honor those who answer the call by talking to your kids about how to make it

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Franklin, TN – For 46 years, people have called 9-1-1 to get the help they need at some of the worst, and most frightening moments of their lives. Thankfully, there are highly-trained, committed professionals on the other end of the line.

April 13-19 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a time to recognize our emergency dispatch professionals for the behind-the-scenes work they do to get us help when we need it most. “The 9-1-1 Center is where every call for help begins,” said Franklin Police Chief David Rahinsky. “Every resident, every police officer, every firefighter, and every paramedic depends on our emergency dispatchers. This week, we say thank you.”

In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators week, Franklin families are encouraged to talk to their children about how and when to dial 9-1-1. With the evolution of cordless and cellular phones, children need to be taught how to dial out on traditional landline phones that have a dial-tone, as well as how to call 911 and then press ‘talk’ or ‘send’ to connect when using non-traditional phones.

2013 stats at-a-glance

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Display on Police Headquarters Lawn Provides Perspective; Cutouts Represent the 409 Child Victims Served in 2013

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IMG_3196Franklin, TN – Child abuse and neglect affects more than three million of our nation’s children annually. In 2013, the Davis House Child Advocacy Center in Franklin provided services for 409 area children who were physically or sexually abused. Partnering with police to help investigate and resolve sensitive cases involving children is why the center exists, providing invaluable resources to young victims and their families.

April is Child Abuse Prevention month. In cooperation with the Franklin Police Department, the Davis House has placed 41 child cutouts on the front lawn of Police Headquarters – one for every 10 area children served just last year. The display, created by a local Eagle Scout in 2011, will be featured there for the remainder of the month. “This display helps to provide a real visual that shows what so many kids and their families in our community face,” said Davis House Executive Director Marcus Stamps.

Franklin Police Chief David Rahinsky said, “Our partnership with the Davis House is a critical component to the incredible responsibility that we all share to protect this community’s children. Having that partnership represented on the front lawn at Headquarters is an honor.”

IMG_3198A candlelight service honoring abused children, and the agencies that partner to protect them, will be held at the Franklin Police Department on April 29th at 5:30 p.m. Details about the event are forthcoming.

For more information about the Davis House Child Advocacy Center, contact Marcus Stamps at (615) 790-5900, or visit www.davishousecac.org.

 Franklin Police Department
Professional, Progressive, Responsive
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