The Knoxville Police Department’s patrol of this year’s major racing events was an overwhelming success. While it wasn’t the usual Knoxville Nationals, the city still saw a large influx of visitors. Chief Aaron Fuller tells KNIA/KRLS News that the Department was able to provide extra patrol around the raceway, and received positive feedback for their efforts.

“We directed traffic during the 410 Nationals across the street, because it can get a little bit like frogger when nobody’s directing that traffic. In the past, we haven’t had enough staff to effectively do that. A lot of pedestrians aren’t worried about whether the light is green or red, it says walk or don’t walk. They’re just in a hurry to get across the street, to get to their cars, to get home, to get to Dingus, whatever that is. We received a lot of positive compliments while we were directing traffic.”

Fuller adds that the increased number of officers on duty helped to keep everyone safe by providing services they’ve been unable to in the past, and that the number of traffic stops was up this year from previous years.