Citizen tells Jacksboro leaders more police officers needed

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- On Friday afternoon, the Jacksboro Board of Mayor and Aldermen met with Aldermen Mark Lay, Aldermen Jimmy Snodgrass and Mayor Shayne Green present. Aldermen Greg Cross and Aldermen Roy Green were absent.

The first item discussed on the agenda was a water issue on Hilltop Drive. A representative from Irtec of Caryville was present and explained there was a pipe issue which was letting water into a yard. The issue can be corrected with another pipe that will be connected to a junction box for correct drainage. The second water issue discussed was at Mountain Meadow. During the construction process an 18-inch drainage pipe was covered over, and now it’s draining into a nearby garage. Mayor Green explained that the subdivision has never been accepted by the town for services. He continued that the developer should have come before the board when the subdivision was completed to be accepted. Since this did not happen the town cannot address the issue.

The board approved for Clerk Elaine Morton and Police Chief Daniel Smith to attend the Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System’s (TIBR) training in Pigeon Forge on Sept. 14-16. Next was approval of Smith and Assistant Police Chief Joe Hopson to attend a law enforcement management class in Nashville in Sept., and then approval was granted for Morton to attend the ABC conference in Nashville.

A payroll policy/wage agreement letter to all employees was approved. This was suggested by the town’s attorney. The letter details the wage for employees, how often they are paid, benefits, and a hire date.

The final item approved was the purchase of a fully equipped Dodge with low miles from the county. The cost of the vehicle is $15,000 fully equipped.

Jacksboro citizen Mike Copeland questioned the board as to whether the police department is receiving the funding for its needs. Copeland stated that he felt the department needs eight officers versus the five officers it currently has. He feels that the department is not functioning the way it needs to.  According to Mayor Green the department has always had five officers. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED–8/03/2026-6AM)