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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the results of four weekends of extra patrols in downtown Johnson City.
Sheriff Keith Sexton deployed deputies downtown at the request of residents and business owners.
The extra patrols focused on the hours between 11 a.m. and 4 a.m. and were in addition to the county’s standard platoon that patrols the county.
“We’ve patrolled downtown on foot for four weekends and have yet to receive one report of a violent crime within the areas we patrolled,” Sexton said in a news release. “Each patrol was always in addition to the presence of Johnson City Police.”

The sheriff’s office released the following statistics:
Weekend 1 – August 8 and 9
- 30 deputies, reserves and detention officers signed up for the first weekend
- 24 patrolled Friday and 21 patrolled Saturday
- Total Cost: $10,772.25 – all THSO grant funds
- 102 extra patrols, bar and business checks
- Seven arrested for Public Intoxication
- Three cited for Open Containers
- Three cited for Underage Consumption
- Two arrested for outstanding warrants
- One arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest
Weekend 2 – August 15 and 16
- 13 deputies patrolled each night
- Total Cost: $5,395.62 ($2,583.49 THSO, $2,812.13 WCSO budget)
- 24 bar and business checks
- One arrested for Simple Assault
Weekend 3 – August 22 and 23
- 10 deputies patrolled Friday, and nine deputies patrolled Saturday
- Total Cost: $4,165.65 – All THSO grant funds
- 28 bar and business checks
- One arrested for Public Intoxication
Weekend 4 – August 29 and 30 (Labor Day Weekend)
- 10 deputies patrolled each night
- Total Cost: $4,557.10 – All THSO grant funds
- 19 bar and business checks
- Two arrested for Public Intoxication
- Three arrested for Disorderly Conduct
- One arrested for Underage Consumption and Public Intoxication
“While the directed downtown patrols ended on Labor Day Weekend, the Sheriff’s Strike Team will continue to conduct operations in the downtown area as part of its routine patrols,” Sexton said. “Should the City of Johnson City need help for any reason, we are a phone call away.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the total cost of paying 50 deputies to work 635 hours during the four weekends was $24,890. All but $2,583 of that was paid for with Tennessee Highway Safety Office grant funds.
“Community policing is the key that develops strong community relationships through shared responsibility for public safety,” Sexton said. “Policing was never meant to be a one sided endeavor.”