The Department of Safety and Homeland Security announced the opening of the 2024-2025 Houses of Worship Security Grant to fund contract security personnel for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations which serve as houses of worship including churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques.

On June 18, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Matt Perry welcomed the newest graduating classes of Tennessee State Troopers.

TENNESSEE--- The Department of Safety and Homeland Security is offering free 15-inch cable locks that secure most shotguns, rifles, pistols, and revolvers. The cable lock works by running through the barrel or action of the firearm preventing it from being fired. The rubber coating on the cable helps to protect the firearm. The cable lock has a secure keyed deadbolt locking mechanism with a 4-pin cylinder. To date, 69,500 gunlocks have been distributed.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Fayetteville Driver Services Center, located at 4110 Thornton Taylor Parkway, which closed for a planned remodel in April, will reopen to the public on Monday, June, 17.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Tullahoma Driver Services Center, located at 307 Industrial Boulevard, will close for a planned remodel on Thursday, June 13, and will reopen in early August. Upon completion of the remodel, citizens can expect new furniture, fresh paint, new countertops, and an expanded parking lot!

The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) plans to increase patrols and utilize a variety of traffic safety enforcement tools to reduce the number of crashes across the state during this year’s Memorial Day holiday period. The THP will conduct saturation patrols, seatbelt, and sobriety checkpoints, as well as increased visibility on high-crash corridors throughout the summer to reduce serious injury and fatal crashes. The 2024 Memorial Day holiday period will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, May 24, and will conclude at 5:59 a.m. Tuesday, May 28.

On Friday, May 17, Governor Bill Lee, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long, and Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Deputy Commissioner Greg Mays presented badges to 26 new Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Special Agents in a graduation ceremony at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in Nashville.

Today, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) announced results from its annual roadside observational survey to determine the state’s average seat belt usage rate. This survey returned a statewide usage rate of 92 percent. The 2023 usage rate represents an increase of approximately 1.5 percent compared to Tennessee’s 2022 survey result of 90.5 percent. The 2023 survey result is Tennessee’s highest annual seat belt usage rate to date.

Beginning May 7, 2025, the REAL ID Act of 2005 will go into effect. Anyone 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID credential to access certain federal facilities, board commercial flights, nuclear power plants, and military bases in the U.S. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) began issuing REAL IDs on July 1, 2019. Of the 5.8 million valid credentials in Tennessee, 1.6 million citizens have yet to decide about obtaining a REAL ID. Tennesseans are encouraged to make their decision ahead of the May 7, 2025, implementation date to avoid the potential influx of customers at Driver Services Centers.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Oakland Driver Services Center, located at 160 Beau Tisdale Drive, is temporarily closed through May 10 for repairs to water pipes.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Franklin Driver Services Center, located at 3830 Carothers Parkway, which closed for a planned remodel in November, will reopen to the public on Monday, May, 13.

On April 5, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Matt Perry welcomed the newest graduating classes of Tennessee State Troopers.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Fayetteville Driver Services Center, located at 4110 Thornton Taylor Parkway, will close for a planned remodel on Monday, April 8, and reopen mid-June. Upon completion of the remodel, citizens can expect new flooring, new furniture, and fresh paint!

JACKSON– The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is seeking information that may aid in the investigation of a fatal hit-and-run crash in Madison County. Preliminary information indicates that a 2008 to 2012 Buick Enclave, having left side frontend damage was involved in a hit-and-run pedestrian crash on Tuesday, March 12th, in Madison County around 10:30 p.m. The location of the incident was I-40 eastbound around mile marker 68. The driver then continued eastbound on I-40 and did not notify law enforcement.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn– The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is seeking the public’s assistance in a fatal hit-and-run crash investigation in Marion County. Preliminary information indicates that a female was struck by a vehicle on Saturday, March 30th, possibly between 3:45 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. The incident occurred on I-24 East around mile marker 138 on Monteagle Mountain. The hit-and-run vehicle continued eastbound leaving the scene without notifying law enforcement. The deceased female was located by troopers on April 1, 2024.