What do I do about the stray animals?
What happens to those animals that are caught by the department?
What about squirrels, skunks, and opossums and like animals?
Why don’t you adjust the traffic so I can get to work, or home easier?
Why do I have to wait at the lights so long?
What should I do if I need to talk with a Police Officer?
When I dialed 911 the dispatcher asked a lot of questions about my address.  I thought the enhanced 911 system has my location?
I need to find out about my address.  Who do I call?
I have a civil problem (i.e. landlord - tenant problems, vehicle re-possession, property questions) who should I call?
What should I do about something suspicious in my neighborhood?
If I have questions who do I contact?
 

What do I do about the stray animals?

The Sevierville Police Department has an animal control officer who can usually assist with most domestic animal problems.  We most often catch dogs and cats, and have also caught other more exotic animals.  Call or come by the department and talk with the animal control officer about any problems you are having.

Back to top

What happens to those animals that are caught by the department?

All domestic animals are taken to the Sevier County Animal Shelter for adoption.

Back to top

What about squirrels, skunks, and opossums and like animals?

 The Department does not control wild animals.  If left alone most wild animals will move along.  If you are having a constant problem with wild animals check to see if there may be food left out or some other reason that the animals are returning.  If the animals cause continuing problems the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Officers are contacted to handle the situation.

Back to top

Why don’t you adjust the traffic so I can get to work, or home easier?

That does not sound like such a big problem to adjust the light but when you consider that there are about 10,000 residents plus daily visitors who all have the same question.  The problem is that most are going in different directions at the same time.  The traffic flow has to be divided into reasonable parts so that one street does not have all the cycle time or none of it.  Since there are constantly changing traffic patterns it is difficult to constantly adjust the lights to accommodate everyone all the time.  This is especially true due to the construction that has damaged the traffic sensors.

Back to top

Why do I have to wait at the lights so long?

This is probably one of the complaints we hear the most.  Let me start with a little background information on the light system to better understand why they are not working as well as they could right now.  This light system is one of the most advanced systems in the area.  The central controller monitors all the traffic and adjusts the cycles so that the traffic that is the heaviest (i.e. flowing into town on Friday afternoon on Highway 66 or other directions depending on the time of day and day of week).  This central computer constantly monitors each individual intersection to best control the flow of traffic all around the City although at times it may not seem that way.  It may be that the traffic needs to go East and West on one street, and two streets down it needs to go North and South.  Then this may change completely in an hour.  With the lights functioning correctly this is not a problem.  The major factor to be considered here is that the lights need input from the street to monitor the traffic.  This is done through sensors in the roadway.  The sensors tell the central computer what direction the traffic need to flow in and adjusts patterns (within certain parameters) so that all the traffic can flow in the best possible manner.  Due to the road construction on the parkway the sensors were damaged and will be replaced.  Most of the construction had to be completed before the sensors could be placed back in the roadway.  The lights are still controlled by the computer but there is no input from the street.  They are now on a Time of Day pattern.  This pattern is an average of what flow pattern that might be applicable for different times of day and days of the week.  Due to the dynamics of traffic and the fact that this pattern is not dynamic it sometimes causes traffic in one direction or another to back up.  I realize that sometimes the traffic backs up and wait times can be somewhat extensive, but, I would like to point out though that the average time to travel through town is less than 20 minutes.  The light system is being upgraded and the sensors are being re-installed so the light system will function correctly.  Often these problems can be overcome by simply leaving a little early or practicing a little patience.

Back to top

What should I do if I need to talk with a Police Officer?

If it is an emergency then dial 911, otherwise contact the department on one of our other lines and you can talk with an officer on the phone or ask that one be sent to your location.

Back to top

When I dialed 911 the dispatcher asked a lot of questions about my address.  I thought the enhanced 911 system has my location?

You are correct, the Enhanced 911 system does have addresses and shows then on the screen to the dispatcher when 911 is dialed.  The problem is that sometimes the addresses are not updated when persons move in or out.  When you call 911 the dispatcher will ask what your emergency is, send the appropriate response agency and verify the address so that your situation is handled correctly.

Back to top