The Chattanooga Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office to increase impaired-driving enforcement through Jan. 1.
The collaboration is part of the THSO’s “Booze It and Lose It” holiday campaign, in which increased messaging about the dangers of drunken driving, coupled with increased sobriety checkpoints and high visibility enforcement, aim to reduce the number of drunken driving crashes, injuries and fatalities this year.
The consequences of a single DUI conviction for a first-time offender in Tennessee could include fines, court costs, legal fees, jail time and mandatory drug and alcohol treatment.
The THSO is providing grant funding to support the CPD’s increased enforcement efforts during the Booze It and Lose It holiday campaign.
County introduces vehicle renewal kiosk
Hamilton County residents have a new option for vehicle renewals.
The county has installed a decal renewal kiosk in the Food City lobby at 5604 Hixson Pike. The booth provides instant renewal access for current registrants.
The print-on-demand kiosk dispenses only renewal decals. It does not permit a change of address, dispense license plates or process a renewal beyond 90 days of the expiration date. The state requires those applications to be made in person at a tag office.
To process the renewal, a motorist must scan their mailed state renewal postcard or current registration receipt. The kiosk will provide touch screen instructions in English and Spanish. Motorists may use a credit card or debit card for payment. There are no additional fees when renewing through the kiosk.
HCS, Lee Uni. increase teaching opportunities
Lee University’s Helen DeVos College of Education has partnered with Hamilton County Schools (HCS), The Maclellan Foundation and The Tucker Foundation for the next three years to create the Licensing Excellent Educators program for Hamilton County Schools.
The post-baccalaureate pathway program seeks to train and equip individuals from a diverse range of career backgrounds who are looking to teach in Hamilton County. Scholarships provided by the Maclellan and Tucker foundations will help support participants in this program.
The program will welcome 20 L.E.E. Fellows per year, with the Helen DeVos College of Education providing coursework, university supervision and submission of licensure. HCS will place candidates in schools for four years. L.E.E. Fellows will leave the program with a Master of Arts in Teaching through Lee University and state licensure.
The three-year partnership aims to train and support 60 L.E.E. Fellows in high-need areas for schools within Hamilton County.
Through scholarships funded by The Maclellan Foundation and The Tucker Foundation, along with in-kind and direct support from Lee and HCS, L.E.E. Fellows will complete the 14-month education program at no cost.
Additionally, as job-embedded candidates, they will be earning a full-time teaching salary with benefits. The goal of this development is to create a sustained partnership that allows HCS to recruit candidates from the area to the public-school classroom.
Apply for the program at www.hcde.org/staff/human_resources/grow_your_own.
Contact Rachael Pitts at rpitts@leeuniversity.edu for more information.
CPD chief graduates crime lab academy
CPD Chief John Chambers graduated from the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Policing Leadership Academy (PLA), an education program dedicated to reducing violent crime and improving police effectiveness.
Chambers is one of 35 police leaders from the United States and Canada who graduated from the five-month program. He received hands-on training in data-driven management, violence reduction and building community trust.
The PLA initiative was informed by University of Chicago Crime Lab research that found management quality can significantly influence the productivity and effectiveness of policing.
“The PLA program provided an opportunity for professional growth and a reinforcement of motivation and commitment to continue to make policing in Chattanooga better,” says Chambers. “I’m honored to have been selected for this program and am already working with CPD personnel, other city units and community members to identify historically high violent crime areas and formulate a response plan that includes relationship building rather than solely enforcement.”
This third cohort of the PLA began in July and concluded with graduation Nov. 21 and was provided at no cost to the city or department. Chambers is the second CPD graduate of the prestigious program. Major Jayevan Montgomery graduated with the second PLA cohort earlier in 2024.