NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Metro greenways are getting some dedicated police officers, city officials revealed.
At Wednesday's Greenways & Open Spaces Commission meeting, Cindy Harrison with the Metro Parks & Recreation Department said the department was actively working to hire more police for Nashville's parks.
"In the interim, they [Metro Parks] have taken the initiative to take two existing police officers — Parks police officers — and shift their focus solely to greenway safety and patrols," Harrison added.
The move comes after Middle Tennessee residents have expressed ongoing safety concerns in Nashville parks. Conversations about safety have been highlighted in the wake of an October murder on an Antioch greenway and a deadly December targeted shooting in another Nashville park.
Harrison expressed excitement about the staffing shift, explaining there has been investment in gear for the staff as well as transportation gear so greenways can be staffed in all weather conditions.
'[It's] just a first step towards increasing safety along our greenways," Harrison said.
In addition, greenways will also be a point of focus in the capital budget, with investment being made to greenway maintenance.