NASHVILLE, TN - Property crime has decreased in Music City over the past year, but officials said they are still concerned about certain crimes that continue to be a problem.
WKRN News 2 spoke with Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell about the year-end crime trends and what remains a concern. "We want to continue to drive down those crime rates, and I know it's a challenge in a growing city," the mayor said. He said that property crime is one of the notable categories that trended down this year.
According to data from the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), as of December 13, Davidson County has seen an 11% drop in property crime compared to 2024 year-to-date. However, even with those improvements, there remains a concern over guns being stolen from cars.
"Any kind of scenario where you're a victim of crime — that's the moment when you feel least safe, and it feels like an incredible violation," O'Connell said. "It is not something that goes away the next day."
According to the MNPD's stolen firearms map, 998 firearms were reported stolen from vehicles so far this year. That represents about 76% of all guns stolen countywide this year. Law enforcement authorities said stolen cars and guns often end up fueling even more dangerous crimes, like carjackings and robberies.
"If you are going to store a firearm in your vehicle, please do so in a way that makes it less likely that someone could even steal it," O'Connell said. While the mayor said he is proud of the progress, public safety will remain a top priority heading into the new year. He hopes to keep numbers down and residents safe by increasing resources in the community.
"Hopefully, people have access to Nashville's pretty extraordinary economy and that no one ever needs to feel like they're in a position where committing a crime of any kind would be a realistic option," O'Connell said. The MNPD offers free gun locks. Residents can pick them up at their nearest precinct.
WKRN News 2 spoke with Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell about the year-end crime trends and what remains a concern. "We want to continue to drive down those crime rates, and I know it's a challenge in a growing city," the mayor said. He said that property crime is one of the notable categories that trended down this year.
According to data from the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), as of December 13, Davidson County has seen an 11% drop in property crime compared to 2024 year-to-date. However, even with those improvements, there remains a concern over guns being stolen from cars.
"Any kind of scenario where you're a victim of crime — that's the moment when you feel least safe, and it feels like an incredible violation," O'Connell said. "It is not something that goes away the next day."
According to the MNPD's stolen firearms map, 998 firearms were reported stolen from vehicles so far this year. That represents about 76% of all guns stolen countywide this year. Law enforcement authorities said stolen cars and guns often end up fueling even more dangerous crimes, like carjackings and robberies.
"If you are going to store a firearm in your vehicle, please do so in a way that makes it less likely that someone could even steal it," O'Connell said. While the mayor said he is proud of the progress, public safety will remain a top priority heading into the new year. He hopes to keep numbers down and residents safe by increasing resources in the community.
"Hopefully, people have access to Nashville's pretty extraordinary economy and that no one ever needs to feel like they're in a position where committing a crime of any kind would be a realistic option," O'Connell said. The MNPD offers free gun locks. Residents can pick them up at their nearest precinct.
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