Saint Joseph Police Dept

06/05/2026

It's moving day in St. Joe today....

05/28/2026

Earlier this week, the St. Joseph Police Department received a complaint regarding chickens being attacked by a dog described as a pit bull mix in the Davis Street area.

After investigating, officers determined the dog belonged to a resident on North Main Street. On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, SJPD officers located the adult female dog on the porch of a residence at 202 North Main Street and contacted Lawrence County Animal Control for assistance.

While awaiting Animal Control, officers learned the dog had recently given birth to puppies. Officers later located the owner at another North Main Street residence and escorted him back to the scene. The owner cooperated fully with officers and Animal Control personnel as the adult dog was safely secured.

The owner also led officers and Animal Control inside the residence, where 11 puppies, believed to be only a few weeks old, were located. The adult dog and the puppies were transported to Lawrenceburg and turned over to the Lawrence County Animal Shelter for care and rehoming.

The homeowner was cited for multiple ordinance violations, including dogs roaming at large. The owner will also be responsible for reimbursing the victim for the loss of the birds.

SJPD recently handled a similar case in the Depot Street and Bluff Road area involving quail that were killed by another dog. In that case, officers located the dog, and with the owner’s assistance, safely captured the animal and turned it over to Lawrence County Animal Control. That dog had puppies as well, including one that was transported with the adult female to FOLCA. The owner had previously surrendered three other puppies to the animal shelter in Florence, Alabama.

In both cases, the dog owners were cited and will be responsible for reimbursing the victims for the loss of their fowl.

The City of St. Joseph and the St. Joseph Police Department sincerely thank Lawrence County Animal Control Officer Jerrod Curtis and the Lawrence County Animal Shelter for their assistance. Their cooperation helped ensure these animals were safely handled, properly cared for, and given the opportunity to be rehomed.

These situations are a reminder that keeping St. Joseph clean, safe, and responsible takes all of us. Animals should be properly cared for, properly confined, and not allowed to roam onto neighboring properties. When animals run loose, they can harm livestock, damage property, create safety concerns, and place the animals themselves at risk.

The City is asking every resident to do their part. Take care of your animals. Keep your property clean. Secure your dogs. Respect your neighbors. Help us protect the quality of life in St. Joseph.

The City of St. Joseph will continue enforcing local ordinances fairly and consistently. Our goal is simple: a cleaner, safer community where residents are protected, animals are cared for, and everyone does their part.

05/20/2026

The Saint Joseph Police Department would like to remind everyone to help us protect the natural beauty of our city park.

Our park is home to important native plants, wildlife, trees, streams, birds, fish, insects, and other natural resources that help keep the area healthy and enjoyable for everyone.

Recently, large amounts of watercress were removed from the freshwater stream near the water plant and left scattered along the banks. While this may have been done with good intentions, we ask the public not to remove, destroy, or disturb plants, vegetation, or wildlife within the park without authorization.

Watercress is not just a “w**d.” It is a naturally occurring aquatic plant that plays an important role in the stream ecosystem. It helps stabilize stream banks, improve water quality, provide habitat for small aquatic life, and serve as a food source for wildlife. Historically, watercress has also been used by people as an edible plant when harvested safely and responsibly.

Our park ecosystem depends on balance. When vegetation is removed or damaged, it can harm wildlife habitats, increase erosion, affect water quality, and take away from the natural beauty of the park.

We encourage everyone to enjoy the park responsibly:

* Observe wildlife and native plants without
disturbing them

* Do not remove or destroy vegetation

* Leave natural areas as you found them

* Report vandalism or suspicious activity to local authorities

The City of Saint Joseph takes great pride in preserving our natural resources for future generations. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping protect and respect the wildlife, streams, and natural beauty of our city park.

05/12/2026

Please read:

City of St. Joseph Issues Warning on Unauthorized Fire Hydrant Use

ST. JOSEPH, TENNESSEE – The City of St. Joseph is putting companies, contractors, organizations, and individuals on notice: taking water from a city fire hydrant without authorization is theft, and it will not be tolerated.

Today, City officials discovered an out of town lawn care company illegally hooking up to a city fire hydrant and taking water without permission. This conduct is unlawful, unacceptable, and especially serious during the current drought conditions affecting our community.

Fire hydrants are part of the City’s public safety infrastructure. Unauthorized use can damage hydrants, affect water pressure, interfere with fire protection, and place an unfair burden on law-abiding taxpayers and utility customers.

Any company, contractor, organization, or individual needing access to city water must contact City Hall and receive approval before using any city hydrant or other city water source.

If you are caught taking water from a city fire hydrant without authorization, you will be required to pay for the water taken, and the City will pursue prosecution when appropriate.

Residents are encouraged to remain alert. If you believe you see someone unlawfully taking water from a fire hydrant, please report it immediately by calling 845-4141.

The City of St. Joseph will continue protecting its water system, public safety resources, and taxpayers from unauthorized use and abuse.

04/24/2026

It's time to clean up our city, folks.

04/24/2026

10-4

Just an FYI on this Friday:

04/17/2026

The St. Joseph Police Department is proud to recognize Captain Colton Steadman for stepping up to help a local citizen in need.

We also want to thank the David Crockett VFW Post 1618 for their kindness and service. When people come together to help take care of a neighbor, it says a lot about the kind of community St. Joseph is.

We are grateful for Captain Steadman’s willingness to jump in and help, and we appreciate the VFW for their part in making a difference.

Earlier this week, the David Crockett VFW Post 1618 was contacted about an older Navy veteran named Sue who needed help cutting her grass.

Today, one of our members stepped up and took care of it. While the work was being done, Captain Colton Steadman of the St. Joseph Police Department, also an Army veteran, stopped by and jumped in to help by w**d eating.

After finishing the job, we had the honor of learning more about Sue’s service. She is a Navy veteran who served from 1969 to 1976 and worked as a Military Police Officer in Quantico, Virginia.

This is what it’s all about, veterans and community coming together to take care of one another.

A big thank you to the Saint Joseph Police Dept, and especially Captain Colton Steadman, for stepping in and helping. Your support does not go unnoticed.

04/10/2026

As we head into the weekend, we encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy all that St. Joseph City Park has to offer. From walking trails and disc golf to ballfields, courts, and the scenic creek, the park is one of the true gathering places in our community and in the entire county.

With beautiful weather in the forecast, this is a great time to spend time with family, enjoy the outdoors, and make use of this special community asset. We also ask everyone to help us keep the park clean, safe, and welcoming for all who visit.

We hope you have a great weekend in St. Joseph!

04/09/2026

04/08/2026

We encourage everyone to help us clean up St. Joseph!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY OF ST. JOSEPH LAUNCHES OPERATION FIRST IMPRESSION TO HELP CLEAN UP TOWN

The City of St. Joseph is launching Operation First Impression, a citywide ordinance enforcement initiative focused on protecting the cleanliness, safety, and quality of life of our community.

“Every day, a community is judged by how it presents itself,” said City Manager Chris D. Jackson. “If we want St. Joseph to be successful economically and maintain a strong quality of life for our citizens, it is vital that we have a community that is clean and safe.”

Operation First Impression is about protecting neighborhoods, supporting property values, and making sure St. Joseph remains a place our citizens can be proud to call home. The initiative will be applied fairly and consistently across the city, with the goal of encouraging voluntary compliance whenever possible.

The City is willing to listen and work with residents who are making a genuine effort to correct problems. At the same time, ongoing neglect and repeated violations will not be ignored.

Enforcement will focus on common issues such as overgrown lots, trash and debris, stagnant water, junk vehicles, unsafe or unsanitary property conditions, animal-related violations, and unlawful use of temporary structures.

“This is about enforcing the ordinances already on the books and addressing violations that affect the safety, appearance, and livability of our community,” said Police Chief Adam Brewer. “We want voluntary compliance, but when necessary, citations will be issued and fines pursued through the court process.”

Residents and property owners are encouraged to address issues now before further action becomes necessary. Those with questions or who need guidance on how to come into compliance are encouraged to contact St. Joseph City Hall.

Operation First Impression is about taking pride in St. Joseph and making sure our community remains a clean, safe, and welcoming place to live.

KEY VIOLATIONS SUBJECT TO ENFORCEMENT

• Overgrown grass, w**ds, brush, and excessive vegetation
• Trash, garbage, debris, and other unsanitary property conditions
• Stagnant water and conditions that attract mosquitoes, rodents, or vermin
• Dense smoke, soot, fumes, dust, or gases that may endanger health or damage property
• Junk or inoperable vehicles stored on private property or left on public streets beyond allowable limits
• Junkyards that are not properly maintained or enclosed as required by ordinance
• Livestock or domestic fowl running at large within city limits
• Dogs running at large or dangerous animals not being properly restrained
• Failure to provide animals with adequate food, water, shelter, ventilation, or sanitary conditions
• Excessive barking, howling, or other animal noise disturbances
• Occupied or used temporary structures that do not meet code requirements or lack proper permitting

ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES

Violations may result in citations, court action, fines of up to $50 per day until corrected, and other penalties allowed by law.