Metro Police, East Nashville residents discuss solution to string of car break-ins

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - More than 80 cars were broken into in a matter of days.

The incident sparked a meeting between the Metro Nashville Police Department and East Nashville residents.

On Tuesday, around 6 p.m. dozens of people piled into the conference room in the East Nashville Precinct where they told officers what they wanted to see.

Several people said they’re tired of replacing car windows.

On Dec. 30, around 83 people woke up to small piles of glass outside their vehicles in East Nashville.

“All of a sudden our car had been broken into and it’s very disorienting,” said Shayna Hipson.

Cars were shattered along Hayden Drive, Welcome Lane, Chickasaw Avenue and more.

In Hipson’s case, she said they got in through her open window.

“Luckily nothing was taken,” Hipson said. “We don’t keep anything important in the car.”

The majority of Hipson’s neighbors weren’t so lucky. As a response to the break-ins, Metro Police said they increased patrols in the area, but four days after those increased patrols, even more cars were broken into.

“I wonder who is doing this,” Hipson said. “Why are they doing it and how can we stop it?”

A commander at the meeting said one thing they’ve seen over the past two weeks is seeing an increase in these types of crimes when school is out.

“Honestly, I’ve been at this precinct for three years,” Commander Harold Burke said. “This is the most vehicle break-ins that have ever occurred.”

During the meeting, detectives on the case showed videos of the recent car break-ins. They said the suspects are harder to catch and stop than people think.

On Tuesday, Metro Police shared the surveillance video with WSMV4. An official for MNPD said they believe the two young suspects in the video are believed to have been involved in several East Nashville car break-ins.

When asked how what is being done to stop the break-ins, Burke listed off a few things.

“We do extra patrols and we do overtime patrols targeting specific areas where we know these crimes are occurring,” Burke said. “We can’t say exactly where these juveniles are going to be.”

Officers said the goal of the meeting was to answer questions and hear people out. However, Hipson suggests drivers take a page out of her book to try and avoid property damage.

“I would suggest keeping your car door open to not have anything smashed and keep your cars without any valuables in it,” she said.

People living in East Nashville said they just hope the meeting makes a difference.

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