After a Memorial Day weekend block party in the Scarboro neighborhood turned violent, leaving nine people with gunshot wounds and one with stab injuries, the Oak Ridge Police Department has ramped up patrols within the community. As reported by WVLT, all victims of the incident, which occurred on S. Benedict Avenue in the early hours of May 25, have survived. Oak Ridge Police Chief Robin Smith described the violence as "unacceptable" and detailed increased police efforts, including foot patrols, aimed at engaging with residents and fortifying community trust.
In a move responding to the chaos that ensued at the gathering, which disrupted the peace of hundreds, Chief Smith emphasized the need for shared public safety responsibility. "Officers are conducting regular drive-throughs and walk-throughs to provide a more visible presence, engage with community members, and offer reassurance during this time," Smith said, as told to WBIR.
The heightened patrol strategy includes regular drive-throughs and walking beat assignments to act as a physical deterrent to further incidents and is part of a deeper strategy of community engagement. "We take this incident seriously and are actively working to ensure the safety and well-being of all Scarboro, and Oak Ridge, residents," Smith asserted, in a statement acquired by WATE. Earlier this week, the ORPD command staff met with local faith and community leaders, including members of the NAACP, to deliberate on steps moving forward and ongoing efforts to safeguard the locality.
While the Oak Ridge Police Department has not named a suspect, they are not alone in their investigation into the violence, having teamed up with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, and other agencies. Smith encouraged residents to engage openly with patrolling officers, "Public safety is a shared responsibility, and we are here to reduce the incidence and fear of crime in Oak Ridge," according to a statement obtained by WVLT.
