Nashville, Tennessee — The Tennessee Highway Patrol wants to remind
Tennesseans that it does not ask for charitable donations and is warning
residents about reports of recent phone solicitations. This month,
several residents in East Tennessee have reported receiving phone calls
from a person allegedly representing himself as a State Trooper. In at
least one report, the caller claimed to be raising money to buy bullet
resistant vests for members of the Highway Patrol.

?We want residents to know that we are a state agency and do not
solicit charitable donations,? stated THP Colonel Mike Walker. ?Every
State Trooper has been issued a bullet resistant vest purchased through
funds provided by the State Legislature.?

There is a legitimate fundraiser currently being conducted by the
Tennessee State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police. The organization
recently hired a company to help it solicit funds for a program that
would buy new bullet resistant vests to replace worn or outdated ones.
Those vests, however, will be distributed to city and county law
enforcement officials, and not members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs is investigating the
situation and says before consumers make any charitable contribution
they should:

? Check to see that the charity is registered with the
Tennessee Charitable Solicitations Division.
? Check with the local Better Business Bureau and with Consumer
Affairs.
? Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion but short on what
the charity will do to address the needs of recipients.
? Ask how much of your gift or contribution would be used for
the purpose mentioned in the appeal.
? Never give out your credit card or bank account number to
someone who calls you.

The Tennessee Department of Safety (www.tennessee.gov/safety) is
responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling
public. The department?s general areas of responsibility encompass law
enforcement, safety education and motorist services, including the
issuance of driver licenses. The department and its highly trained
staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles
of state and federal highways.