The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security said it saw significant achievements in 2024.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol hired and trained more than 150 new State Troopers, made more than 950 drug-related arrests, removed more than 300 illegally possessed firearms and recovered nearly 100 stolen firearms.
THP also said 29% of the drug arrests involved methamphetamine and fentanyl.
鈥淓very day, our troopers work to make Tennessee鈥檚 roads safer and remove dangerous substances and weapons from our communities,鈥 THP Colonel Matt Perry said. 鈥淭heir commitment saves lives and ensures a safer environment for everyone.鈥
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office awarded 373 grants to 326 agencies to support safety incentives and said seat belt usage increased to a record 92 percent.
After Hurricane Helene struck the eastern U.S., State Troopers and Homeland Security Agents spent 20,000 hours assisting in the disaster response. The Tennessee Advanced Communications Network said its communication support during the hurricane helped ensure seamless coordination among first responders.
鈥淓ffective communication is the backbone of emergency response,鈥 TACN Director Jeff Gray said. 鈥淓xpanding TACN鈥檚 reach ensures first responders have the tools they need to protect lives during both daily operations and crises.鈥
State grants to fund School Resource Officers in Tennessee public and charter schools were provided by the Tennessee鈥檚 Office of Homeland Security. Sixty-three new special agents were trained and assigned to work with schools across the state.
鈥淏y investing in school safety and community security, we鈥檝e taken meaningful steps to protect Tennesseans where they live, learn and worship,鈥 Special Agent Greg Mays, Deputy Commissioner and Director of the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security said.
Officials said $750,000 was allocated to upgrade the security of places of worship across the state.
鈥淲e鈥檙e working each day to make Tennessee a safer place to work, live and eat,鈥 Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long said.
鈥淲hether it鈥檚 reducing fatal 性视界APPes, protecting our schools or improving customer service, we鈥檙e delivering tangible results that make a real difference in the lives of Tennesseans.鈥
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