The Tennessee Bureaus of Investigation reported recently an overall decrease in crime across the state in 2013, mirroring statistics in Loudon County.

But prescription pain pills and theft remain a local problem.

The 2013 “Crime in Tennessee” report noted a 5.4 percent decline statewide in serious crimes, such as murder, statutory rape, theft and narcotic violations, and a 7.6 percent drop in less serious offenses like liquor law violations and driving under the influence.


Meanwhile, methamphetamine labs increased by 11.6 percent over 2012.

All three local police departments in Loudon County said methamphetamine issues seem to be on a decline locally but prescription pain pill abuse continues to be a struggle.

With a county population just under 50,000, 206 drug and narcotic violations were reported in Loudon County in 2013, according to the report.

More than likely most other crimes, such as robbery and theft, are related to drug violations, said Loudon Police Det. Brian Jenkins, who has been with the department for 18 years.

“Probably 85-90 percent of everything we deal with in one way or another is drug related,” Jenkins said. “Maybe not on its face, but all the thefts and burglaries they are all going to support people’s drug habits. Historically, that has always been the case. You start talking (to) local law enforcement, your main three problems other than domestic relation type stuff, which everyone deals with, we really don’t have a whole lot of crime that’s not drug related.”

He said today’s meth labs use the “shake and bake” method utilizing two-liter soft drink bottles, making the process much simpler to conceal.

Thefts common

Crime in 2013 was “average” for the city of Loudon, Jenkins said, but property crime — theft, burglary, shoplifting and credit and debit card fraud — was a common occurrence. In 2013, the department reported 21 cases of theft from buildings, eight thefts from motor vehicles and 33 cases of destruction or vandalism.

“Especially in Loudon, people for years and years have bragged about the fact that we live in a community where they don’t even feel like they need to lock their doors at night,” Jenkins said. “... I wish that we really did live in a community where you didn’t have to worry about things like that, but with all the drug-related stuff now it’s best to take what steps you can take to secure your property.”

Jenkins recommended recording serial numbers and protecting credit and debit card pin numbers.

With the bustling Interstate 75 and 40 interchange in its patrol zone, Lenoir City Police Department also reported an overall decline in crime last year, but the city had a “bit of an increase” in theft, Police Chief Don White said.

The report also noted an increase in simple assaults in Lenoir City in terms of domestic violence victims. Across the state, domestic violence offenses made up more than 50 percent of all crimes against persons.

“Of course, with us being so close to the interstate we’re always going to have in our business district some level of theft, but again having that visibility out on the street and having our officers out there not just being a reactive police department ... I feel that’s what it takes to deter that criminal activity,” White said.

Community relations

Jenkins said LPD usually has three officers working each shift.

“Of course, every other agency that I know of has two detectives. We have one, so we are extremely limited resource size, but we do the best we can,” Jenkins said.

Three officer positions have still yet to be filled four years later, and the city still faces funding challenges as property tax appeals from industry giants Tate & Lyle and Kimberly-Clark continue, but Jenkins said community relations is key to combating local crime. The department hopes to start an Explorers program similar to one established in Lenoir City, which shines light on the life of a police officer and all other aspects of law enforcement to those ages 15-20 years old with a career interest in criminal justice or law enforcement.

Loudon County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tony Aikens agreed that community relations is key to local law enforcement. LCSO runs a citizen’s academy twice a year to educate the public and improve community awareness. LCSO also uses a citizen’s patrol program in communities across the county.

“We had one particular incident happen not too long ago,” Aikens said. “A person had seen a strange vehicle at a residence, but didn’t call in, and, of course, they were breaking into the house we found out after the fact. We always want people to call us. They are certainly not hindering us in any way. ... We don’t mind a bit coming out and looking, and if there’s nothing to it then no harm done, but we will certainly encourage people to call us if there is any suspicious activity.”

According to TBI reports, LCSO reported a small decline in offenses. For instance, the number of reported burglaries in 2012 was 168, but in 2013 the department reported 135 burglaries. Thirty-nine motor vehicle thefts were reported in 2012 and 25 reported in 2013. One hundred thirty-eight thefts occurred at residences or businesses in 2012, and 80 were logged in 2013.

Lt. Paul Curtis said the number of meth labs have stayed consistent during the past couple years, with five cases reported last year and two have already been found in January this year.

“One of the main issues is if we arrest somebody, for instance for DUI, we’re taking that officer off the street for a couple hours which leaves a short,” Aikens said. “It’s hard to actually get out and patrol the way we need to patrol because of a lack of manpower.”

Overall, the county saw a decline in most personal offenses like assault. Theft and fraud crimes stayed consistent from 2012 to 2013, while driving under the influence saw a 7 percent increase. In 2012, 236 cases of DUI were reported, and in 2013, 253 were reported. Officials saw a decline in drunkenness, with 183 reported cases in 2012 versus 121 in 2013.

Combatting Sudafed

While the number of meth labs has also declined in Lenoir City, pharmaceutical diversion is still on the increase, White said.

“Last year, we had an increase in Sudafed purchasing, which working with the pharmacies and making traffic stops we had a few mobile labs where the cooks were sending out individuals to come and buy Sudafed inside the city, but for the last 12 months I feel like we’ve had a decrease in that as well based on arrests,” White said, attributing a decrease to being proactive on the streets and working with local pharmacies to cut down on Sudafed purchases.

Sudafed and similar products sold at pharmacies to treat allergies contain pseudoephedrine, a key component of methamphetamine production.

“We were very proactive on the streets last year,” White said. “We were working in conjunction with the pharmacies. We were monitoring the meth registries. We were being contacted by the different local pharmacies if they were having individuals who had large purchases in their background. I feel like that is the No. 1 reason we saw that decrease.

“The individuals who are trying to purchase Sudafed to manufacture methamphetamine, they’re going to take the path of least resistance to make that purchase,” he said.

White said when those on the meth registry contacted local pharmacies, the city’s officers would respond and attempt to complete on-site interviews.

“And quite a few times it either led to arrests for outstanding warrants or possibly because we discovered a meth lab in their vehicle or remnants of one,” he added. “I feel like that by us taking that approach and we worked as well with the sheriff’s department and the Ninth Judicial Drug Task Force, so all of the agencies were working together to deter those individuals from coming into our city and purchase Sudafed. I think just that approach worked.”