COVID-19 city updates; Oak Ridge Library re-opens June 1
Posted at
The Oak Ridge Public Library is pictured above.
City government facilities are returning to normal operations after more than a year of trying to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and the Oak Ridge Public Library will return to normal operating hours on Tuesday, June 1.
However, not all Oak Ridge municipal departments and services have returned to full capacity, a press release said.
Here is a COVID-19 update provided by the City of Oak Ridge on Friday:
Departmental services are continuing. City officials strongly urge citizens to conduct their business electronically, over the phone, and by mail whenever possible. Financial transactions can be handled electronically and via mail. If you need to reach a department, call the number listed below for each department or click here for a list of all departments. You can also reach a department by email or social media.
COVID-19: Update on city of Oak Ridge services, departments; openings and mask requirements
Special to The Oak Ridger
After more than a year of active efforts to suppress COVID-19, city of Oak Ridge facilities are returning to normal operations. A review of all city departments and services has been conducted and although not at full capability, the following is a summary of various services, a city news release issued last Friday stated.
Departmental services are continuing. City officials strongly urge citizens to conduct their business electronically, over the phone, and by mail whenever possible. Financial transactions can be handled electronically and via mail. If you need to reach a department, call the number listed below for each department. You can also reach a department by email or social media.
ORPD force policies are online; no changes since August
Oakridger
The city of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Police Department has not changed its use of force policies this year in response to national controversies pertaining to the use of police force, but it has posted a list of its policies online.
The ORPD s use of force policy is available online as one of many policies available online. It can be found at http://www.oakridgetn.gov/Policepolicies/police-policy.php. The city has not updated this policy since Aug. 19, 2020, which was after the national controversy and protests surrounding Minneapolis Police Department Officer Derek Chauvin s killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. After that incident, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson encouraged the ORPD to make updates to some of its policies. Also, some Oak Ridge City Council members encouraged the police department to start posting its policies to its website, which it has since done.
Oak Ridge Today
Posted at
The City of Oak Ridge wants to buy three drones for the Oak Ridge Police Department and Oak Ridge Fire Department.
The drones could minimize risks to emergency responders, according to a city memo. Drones could help officers and firefighters perform dangerous tasks such as responding to reports of armed people and other imminent threats, and evaluating fires and hazardous material incidents, the city said. Drones could also help with searches for lost people, which are often impeded by dense vegetation or delayed while waiting for all-terrain vehicles or boats.
“A drone can perform these tasks without delay and without placing responders at risk,” the memo said.