9/15 Town Hall Recap
Town Hall Recap – September 15, 2025
Location: North Nashville Police Precinct | Time: 6:30pm
Thank you to everyone who joined our Town Hall last night. A BIG shout-out to our president, Cindy Edwards, for bringing the event together with Commander Bowers and Councilman Jacob Kupin, and to our Communications Team (Holly Ragsdale, Caley King, Glenn Edwards, and Crystal Day) for helping spread the word! What a turnout!
Resident Voices:
“I’ve had people peeing on my porch and knocking on my office window asking for money.”
“Ambulance lights are flashing into our bedrooms nonstop.”
Neighborhood Concerns Raised:
Over 100 incidents documented by neighbors, including videos reported to MNPD.
Frequent police calls (60–70 from one residence alone) related to disturbances across from The Mission.
Ongoing issues: public urination on private porches, public defecation on private property, sleeping on private property, vandalism, soliciting prostitution, loitering, and hiding items on private property (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.), harassment, theft, drug dealing, trespassing, voyeurism, etc.
Ambulance and emergency lights disrupting residents’ homes late at night. Ambulance and fire trucks blocking private driveways during all hours of the day and night.
People sleeping in cars on 7th Ave. and public urination
Parking strain expected with Inspiritus (89 units, 35 parking spaces).
Questions raised about where guests go if asked to leave facilities and why abandoned vehicles remain on the streets.
Key Updates from Organizations:
Rescue Mission: Serving ~400 women daily. Guests can stay during the day, and staff remind them not to loiter. Leadership expressed desire to be good neighbors but they cannot control what happens when guests leave their property.
Inspiritus: Leasing begins next spring, with ribbon cutting set for Nov/Dec 2026.
MNPD and Councilman Kupin Efforts: 240 extra patrols in Salemtown in recent months; implementing 2-hour parking on 7th Ave; crosswalk improvements planned for Rosa Parks; new REACH mental health program will be 24/7 within 3 months.
Next Steps & Solutions:
The Mission will reconsider a private security proposal.
Howard Jones offered help in finding placements for some Mission guests.
Salemtown Committee Formation: We’re forming a dedicated neighborhood committee to work on solutions. Interested? Email vpsnna@gmail.com to get involved.
In Attendance:
Cindy Edwards, President, Salemtown Neighbors
Joe, President, Germantown
Commander Bowers & MNPD officers, North Nashville Precinct
Jacob Kupin, Councilman, District 19
Joy Flores, Vice President of Ministries, Nashville Rescue Mission
Glenn Cranfield, President & CEO, Nashville Rescue Mission
April Kalvin, Director, Office of Homeless Services
Joseph Parker, Outreach Manager, Office of Homeless Services
Sergeant Auguste, MNPD
Matt Purvis, NDOT
Rachel Hester, Room in the Inn
Brandon Boatswain, Laz Parking
Michael Randolph, Mental Health Cooperative
With YOUR help, we’ll keep pushing for practical solutions to make Salemtown safer and stronger!
