The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) is set to enhance its presence at various shopping centers in Nashville starting Friday and continuing through the Thanksgiving weekend. This initiative aims to heighten public safety and deter retail theft at key locations such as Tanger Outlets, Nashville West shopping center, Opry Mills Mall, and Green Hills Mall. The MNPD has announced that individuals caught stealing from stores or breaking into vehicles will face arrest and prosecution.
At Opry Mills Mall, officers on horseback will join Hermitage Precinct officers and private security staff to patrol parking areas. In addition, 18 officers will be deployed to manage traffic from this weekend until the weekend before Christmas. Visitors to Opryland Hotel and those attending events like ICE! or the Grand Ole Opry are advised to use the McGavock Pike exit off Briley Parkway (exit 12), while mall-goers should exit at Opry Mills Drive (exit 11). Officers will also monitor retail areas on Lebanon Pike and Old Hickory Boulevard.
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At Tanger Outlets in South Nashville, MNPD’s Secondary Employment Unit officers will be joined by bicycle patrols and detectives from the Organized Retail Crimes Unit to combat shoplifting. Tanger security personnel will also assist in managing traffic.
Green Hills Mall and Nashville West will see School Resource Officers working alongside mounted and West Precinct officers to ensure visibility and safety.
The MNPD Aviation Unit will conduct aerial surveillance over these shopping hubs throughout the weekend to identify and report any suspicious activities to ground units immediately.
Traffic Division officers, along with those funded by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) grant, will monitor Briley Parkway near Opry Mills, I-24 near Tanger Outlets, and I-40 near Nashville West. Their primary focus will be on curbing speeding and aggressive driving, which have been significant factors in more than a quarter of this year’s fatal crashes, resulting in 104 deaths thus far in 2024.
Additionally, traffic officers will participate in THSO’s Thanksgiving Buckle Up, Tennessee campaign, emphasizing seat belt use, as over half of the year’s fatal crashes involved unbelted occupants.
Drivers are urged to slow down, wear seat belts, and use phones hands-free this weekend. As part of the holiday shopping season, the public is reminded to Park Smart by locking vehicle doors and securing valuables, particularly firearms.
Related News:
– Teen Charged with Carjacking (November 26, 2024)
– This Holiday Shopping Season Please Park Smart! (November 26, 2024)
– Driver Killed After Striking Downed Tree on Closed Portion of Briley Parkway (November 26, 2024)
– Homicide Detectives Pursue Leads in Fatal Shooting of Restaurant Owner (November 25, 2024)
Source: Read Original Release
Driver Fleeing Crash Critically Injured
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