The presents have arrived early for some people in Knoxville, as the City rolled out several new programs and initiatives last month aimed at increasing the health and safety of residents.


Fire Truck Donation

Perhaps one of the biggest presents arrived mid-November when Mayor Kincannon and the Knoxville Fire Department officially handed over the keys to a “retired” fire truck to the students at Fulton High School.

The truck is now a part of their Fire Service Education Program. During the event, Mayor Kincannon said, “The fire truck being donated today has served the City of Knoxville for years and will now go on to help in a different but equally important way—educating the next generation of first responders!”

This donation helped further the partnership between the City of Knoxville’s new Public Safety Complex in North Knoxville and Knox County Schools. 




Safe Exchange Zone

Also in November, the Knoxville Police Department established a designated safe exchange zone at the Public Safety Complex. This zone provides a monitored environment for people to complete online sales or purchases throughout the holidays—and all year long.

The safe exchange zone includes two parking spaces located in prominent spots in the front lot of the Public Safety Complex at 1650 Huron Street.  

The well-lit area is under 24-hour video surveillance to protect Knoxville residents swapping, trading, buying or selling items, or during child custody exchanges.  KPD encourages residents to make exchanges during daylight hours, if at all possible.  

Residents wanting to utilize the space will not need to notify the KPD. Residents simply need to park in one of the designated spaces and complete their exchange.   


Take Me Home

And just last month, the City officially launched the Take Me Home program, a new service designed to improve safety for individuals with developmental or cognitive disabilities.

Take Me Home is a completely free and voluntary registry that allows parents or guardians to enroll individuals in their care with cognitive or developmental disabilities. 

The registry will be managed by the KPD Special Crimes Unit to assist first responders in cases when those individuals are found wandering alone or go missing.

Any individual with a cognitive or developmental disability who lives, works or goes to school within Knoxville city limits is eligible for the Take Me Home registry. 

Information submitted to the registry, which includes emergency contact information, a detailed description of the individual, and an updated photo, is voluntary, confidential and only accessible to first responders and public safety personnel.

Any parent, caretaker or guardian wanting to register a loved one with the Take Me Home program, or learn more information about the program, can visit www.KnoxvilleTN.gov/TakeMeHome.