Murfreesboro Vice Mayor Ron Washington wants to make State Street and inner city a safer neighborhood.

In an e-mail, he said, "I heard the lady’s comments (call-in to the Wednesday morning WGNS' Action Line radio program) about not feeling safe on her porch and the prevalence of gangs and Chief Chrisman’s response.

Note: this e-mail is printed verbatim, with the exception of one phrase that was omitted to protect certain individuals who were specifically named. They were leaders in area religious groups, and not elected officials. 

I work closely with the Chief in various ways to try to curtail some of this and the image that that area and others seem to have and have had at various times for years. Even before I became a city councilmember, this city has had issues off and on in that area.

Involved Residents Are The Solution

We have asked the residents to form Neighborhood Watch Associations, and tried to get them to assist law enforcement. Much of this includes intelligence provided by the very property owners and residents that live in the affected area.

If they are not cooperating and just complaining then they are part of the problem.

Some of us are trying to get the Adopt-A-Street process going in collaboration with the immediate area churches. With the exception of Key Methodist, it has been almost impossible. I have challenged pastors...to either participate or be quiet and still stay part of the problem.

Until the current residents and the area impacted institutions become openly active and become a deterrent for behavior not conducive to a adequate quality of life these issues will always be prevalent from time to time.

There is a lot of money spent over in that area but the precinct officer and law enforcement need for these groups to do their part. Also the lady needs to work with the police department and employ others to do so.

There is a  former resident of that area that had a interest meeting in May for a Neighborhood Watch Association but she has not met since. Why haven’t any of the residents that reside in the area attempted like collaborations and placed pressure on the area churches?

Anyone that addresses the situation in the future ask them that. They want somebody else to fix a problem that some of the residents perpetrate with their kinfolks or kids they know.

What about enforcing the existing curfew ordinance. I’ll bet that will get you a quick call to me or the NAACP. Don’t forget some cultures are strong NO SNITCH communities and have a strong anti-law enforcement attitude.

Don't Be A Hostage...Be Part Of Solution

These families and children need more assistance than almost anywhere in the this town when it comes to discipline and academic performance. I feel so sorry for those elderly property owners that feel like hostages in their own owns certain times of the day/night.

Thank God for Habitat for Humanity and our Community Development program the Murfreesboro Housing Authority and my fellow mayor’s and councilmember’s for their strategic investment in families in this area over the years.

There’s also a Patterson Coalition that collaborates coordinated services that meet every fourth Tuesday Patterson at 10:00AM. The residents need to become more part of the solution."