Gatlinburg city manager announces police reaccreditation, safe‑haven baby box and New Year’s Eve plans

City Manager Greg told the Gatlinburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen that the city’s police department recently achieved reaccreditation through the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police, saying the accomplishment “reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to professionalism, standards, and to providing a high quality police service for our residents, visitors, and business community.”

Greg also said the city held a blessing and dedication ceremony for a safe‑haven baby box installed at Gatlinburg Fire Department Station No. 2 and thanked Horner Building Company for donating construction services and time. “I’d like to thank everyone who attended the ceremony as well as the community members who supported this important project,” he said.

The city manager announced municipal offices, including City Hall and the customer service center, will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Thursday, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday and will reopen Friday, Dec. 26 at 8 a.m. He also noted offices will observe New Year’s Day with reopening on Friday, Jan. 2 at 8 a.m.

Greg outlined the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration: an event beginning at 9:30 p.m. at the Shade Tree parking lot off Airport Road with live music, a drone show beginning at 11:50 p.m., a ball drop at midnight and a fireworks finale. He said road closures will begin at 10:30 p.m., including segments of the Parkway and Airport Road.

He closed his report by noting the city’s 2026 meeting schedule will be published later in the week and congratulating the Gatlinburg‑Pittman Highlanders football team on a 14–1 season and a state runner‑up finish.

The commission did not debate or amend the announcements; the session continued to routine business after the report.