November 30 2015 Salemtown Neighbors Neighborhood Association
Welcome and Introductions – Executive board members present: Lindsey, Mindy, Zea,
John. Councilman O’Connell is also present.
Approval of Oct 2015 minutes: Motion to approve, seconded, and unanimous yea.
Community Reports by Robert Kerpka (subbing in for Sgt. Kornberg)
Small increase in crime over the last two months – much of this has been property
stolen from cars. Violent crime, robberies, and burglaries are actually down (even
though they don’t feel that way). Due to the upcoming holidays, robberies and
burglaries will likely rise. Make sure not to leave ANYTHING in the car, that included
window mounted GPS, backpacks, purses, guns, large sums of cash…
At night, make sure to close your curtains or blinds closed after dark. If you are going
to be out of town, have a neighbor pick up your mail or have the post office hold your
mail until you return. Stuffed mailboxes are a favorite way for thieves to check to see if
someone is out of town. Make sure that if you see something suspicious, call it in!
Quick reminder 615-862-8600.
Regarding the recent robberies:
Taylor & 9th, man was robbed getting out of his car by an acquaintance. This could
have been a drug transaction or a set up.
7th and Hume, the woman who was robbed has been staying at the Mission (from
Indiana), claims she was robbed and laid in a puddle for over an hour. The officers
investigating have been unable to reach her. There are currently no other witnesses
and no leads.
Behind Kroger, gang initiation.
Lindsey: Will we see an increase in patrols during the holidays? How is this
determined, and how is this paid for?
Robert: There probably will be additional patrols with the Crime Reduction Initiative
CRI). Its done in 4 hour shifts where off-duty officers come back on duty for additional
patrols. Number and force are determined statistically based on longitudinal and real-
time data, and is broken down to individual streets. We are experiencing less crime
and less severe crime than other parts of the North Precinct.
Lindsey: Can we get SkyCop?
Robert: There are only 4 in the county, and they are allocated by need. Robert will
make a note that because we are in such close proximity to downtown, we should be
on the priority list for receiving time with SkyCop.
Lindsey: We are seeing an improvement, even though some of the newer residents
would disagree. We do recognize that when crime happens to an individual the threat
can feel very large and very immediate.
Robert: We will try to make sure that some of the CRIs are used for this part of the
precinct during the holiday season. When you are out holiday shopping, please try to
park in well-lit areas and be vigilant. If something seems fishy, don’t approach, call the
police. Retail and restaurant workers can also call for a police escort to have
employees walked safely to their cars.
Freddie: What about the aggregate response time increase since the move to North
Precinct?
Robert: Calls into the emergency center are all priorities based on severity. Code three
is used for possible lives in danger, code two is serious but no imminent danger is
occurring (boyfriend slapped his girlfriend, but is not actively threatening her life), code
one is for inactive crime events (like burglaries where the burglar is gone and no one is
in physical danger). North Precinct is a large area, and code one calls can often take
much longer than code two or three. Preservation of life is always going to be the top
priority. One of the ways to really boost the safety of a neighborhood is to have an
aware community – if everyone is looking out for each other and for suspicious activity,
criminals will be caught more often and as a result the area will become less desirable
for crime. Remember that for emergency calls, officers will be pulled from other
precincts to ensure the fastest possible response.
Freddie O’Connell
Freddie is our new District 19 Councilperson. Work has included minutia like where a
restaurant can hang its sign, to the surprise MDHA meeting that will affect city-wide
projects. Edgehill community planning is on the agenda, as well as the development on
Music Row. Zoning has been fairly quiet. Dist 19 has public hearings on Dec 1 for
zoning in Historic Buena Vista. Public safety issues in Salemtown/Capitol District will
be a continuing conversation, Freddie is pushing hard to move us back into the Central
Precinct. Re-bid will be in one-year, so that will be the soonest we can move back ino
the CP. The Cap Dist has been the most vocal about the problem of moving to the NP.
Moving to the NP so they can ignore us is not a way to solve the problem and it’s a
[sic] piss-poor excuse. There finally is some acknowledgement on the part of the police
department that the shift has been negative. In the NP, they are not as concerned
about dealing with property crime as CP was. NP is really far too flooded with violent
crime over a very large area. Salemtown and Freddie have been pushing for the return
to CP since the switch happened, and will continue to be a loud voice to move back to
CP. The more the community gets involved (in more ways than just complaining on
NextDoor) the easier it will be to get the complaints heard.
Metro has been charged with coming up with an affordable housing plan – stay tuned
for meeting notices on this.
Social
Final numbers from the HBP are not back yet, but we are hoping to come out in the
black. There were over 600 children trick-or-treating in a safe and fun environment.
This was a wonderful community engagement event, and we’re going to do it again for
2016!
Christmas party is Dec 12 at Rochell’s. There will be a dirty santa (wrapped, ). Please
bring an appetizer or desert.
Membership
57 total homes for 2015! We exceeded goal. 26 are new neighbors. Dues are due in
January, but you can always pre-pay!
Short Term Rentals
Lindsey met with the Short Term Rentals zoning guy. The landlords must be
registered. If they are registered and they are being irresponsible, you can file a
complaint. You will need data/evidence! If there is a loud drunken party, and you call
the cops, make sure to get a copy of the report. If they screw up your yard/car/property
take pictures. Repeat offenders are dealt with fairly seriously. Only 3% of Short-Term
Rental homes in Davidson County can be 24-7 operated (not owner occupied). The
rest must be partially owner-occupied. Lindsey can answer specific questions and
direct people to the person at zoning who handles STRs directly. Salemtown is on the
forefront of the whole STR, we have multiple lawsuits filed both by individuals and by
the city.
Parking Street Signs
Working on NO Parking on Coffee between 3rd and 4th
We would like a mapping of the neighborhood to determine where the hot-zones for
parking issues are
We would also like to consider adding “Drive like your kids/pet/grandma lives here” to
strategic areas where speeding is a prevalent issue
This is the last formal meeting for the year!
Elections!
Mindy Quinn: Secretary
Darrin Bradford: At-Large
Rochell Pierce: Treasurer
Lindsey Cox: President
Nick Kimberlin: VP
All were motioned, seconded, and elected.
We also have several committees that need excited motivated Chairs! Please get
involved if you have time and passion!
Welcome and Introductions – Executive board members present: Lindsey, Mindy, Zea,
John. Councilman O’Connell is also present.
Approval of Oct 2015 minutes: Motion to approve, seconded, and unanimous yea.
Community Reports by Robert Kerpka (subbing in for Sgt. Kornberg)
Small increase in crime over the last two months – much of this has been property
stolen from cars. Violent crime, robberies, and burglaries are actually down (even
though they don’t feel that way). Due to the upcoming holidays, robberies and
burglaries will likely rise. Make sure not to leave ANYTHING in the car, that included
window mounted GPS, backpacks, purses, guns, large sums of cash…
At night, make sure to close your curtains or blinds closed after dark. If you are going
to be out of town, have a neighbor pick up your mail or have the post office hold your
mail until you return. Stuffed mailboxes are a favorite way for thieves to check to see if
someone is out of town. Make sure that if you see something suspicious, call it in!
Quick reminder 615-862-8600.
Regarding the recent robberies:
Taylor & 9th, man was robbed getting out of his car by an acquaintance. This could
have been a drug transaction or a set up.
7th and Hume, the woman who was robbed has been staying at the Mission (from
Indiana), claims she was robbed and laid in a puddle for over an hour. The officers
investigating have been unable to reach her. There are currently no other witnesses
and no leads.
Behind Kroger, gang initiation.
Lindsey: Will we see an increase in patrols during the holidays? How is this
determined, and how is this paid for?
Robert: There probably will be additional patrols with the Crime Reduction Initiative
CRI). Its done in 4 hour shifts where off-duty officers come back on duty for additional
patrols. Number and force are determined statistically based on longitudinal and real-
time data, and is broken down to individual streets. We are experiencing less crime
and less severe crime than other parts of the North Precinct.
Lindsey: Can we get SkyCop?
Robert: There are only 4 in the county, and they are allocated by need. Robert will
make a note that because we are in such close proximity to downtown, we should be
on the priority list for receiving time with SkyCop.
Lindsey: We are seeing an improvement, even though some of the newer residents
would disagree. We do recognize that when crime happens to an individual the threat
can feel very large and very immediate.
Robert: We will try to make sure that some of the CRIs are used for this part of the
precinct during the holiday season. When you are out holiday shopping, please try to
park in well-lit areas and be vigilant. If something seems fishy, don’t approach, call the
police. Retail and restaurant workers can also call for a police escort to have
employees walked safely to their cars.
Freddie: What about the aggregate response time increase since the move to North
Precinct?
Robert: Calls into the emergency center are all priorities based on severity. Code three
is used for possible lives in danger, code two is serious but no imminent danger is
occurring (boyfriend slapped his girlfriend, but is not actively threatening her life), code
one is for inactive crime events (like burglaries where the burglar is gone and no one is
in physical danger). North Precinct is a large area, and code one calls can often take
much longer than code two or three. Preservation of life is always going to be the top
priority. One of the ways to really boost the safety of a neighborhood is to have an
aware community – if everyone is looking out for each other and for suspicious activity,
criminals will be caught more often and as a result the area will become less desirable
for crime. Remember that for emergency calls, officers will be pulled from other
precincts to ensure the fastest possible response.
Freddie O’Connell
Freddie is our new District 19 Councilperson. Work has included minutia like where a
restaurant can hang its sign, to the surprise MDHA meeting that will affect city-wide
projects. Edgehill community planning is on the agenda, as well as the development on
Music Row. Zoning has been fairly quiet. Dist 19 has public hearings on Dec 1 for
zoning in Historic Buena Vista. Public safety issues in Salemtown/Capitol District will
be a continuing conversation, Freddie is pushing hard to move us back into the Central
Precinct. Re-bid will be in one-year, so that will be the soonest we can move back ino
the CP. The Cap Dist has been the most vocal about the problem of moving to the NP.
Moving to the NP so they can ignore us is not a way to solve the problem and it’s a
[sic] piss-poor excuse. There finally is some acknowledgement on the part of the police
department that the shift has been negative. In the NP, they are not as concerned
about dealing with property crime as CP was. NP is really far too flooded with violent
crime over a very large area. Salemtown and Freddie have been pushing for the return
to CP since the switch happened, and will continue to be a loud voice to move back to
CP. The more the community gets involved (in more ways than just complaining on
NextDoor) the easier it will be to get the complaints heard.
Metro has been charged with coming up with an affordable housing plan – stay tuned
for meeting notices on this.
Social
Final numbers from the HBP are not back yet, but we are hoping to come out in the
black. There were over 600 children trick-or-treating in a safe and fun environment.
This was a wonderful community engagement event, and we’re going to do it again for
2016!
Christmas party is Dec 12 at Rochell’s. There will be a dirty santa (wrapped, ). Please
bring an appetizer or desert.
Membership
57 total homes for 2015! We exceeded goal. 26 are new neighbors. Dues are due in
January, but you can always pre-pay!
Short Term Rentals
Lindsey met with the Short Term Rentals zoning guy. The landlords must be
registered. If they are registered and they are being irresponsible, you can file a
complaint. You will need data/evidence! If there is a loud drunken party, and you call
the cops, make sure to get a copy of the report. If they screw up your yard/car/property
take pictures. Repeat offenders are dealt with fairly seriously. Only 3% of Short-Term
Rental homes in Davidson County can be 24-7 operated (not owner occupied). The
rest must be partially owner-occupied. Lindsey can answer specific questions and
direct people to the person at zoning who handles STRs directly. Salemtown is on the
forefront of the whole STR, we have multiple lawsuits filed both by individuals and by
the city.
Parking Street Signs
Working on NO Parking on Coffee between 3rd and 4th
We would like a mapping of the neighborhood to determine where the hot-zones for
parking issues are
We would also like to consider adding “Drive like your kids/pet/grandma lives here” to
strategic areas where speeding is a prevalent issue
This is the last formal meeting for the year!
Elections!
Mindy Quinn: Secretary
Darrin Bradford: At-Large
Rochell Pierce: Treasurer
Lindsey Cox: President
Nick Kimberlin: VP
All were motioned, seconded, and elected.
We also have several committees that need excited motivated Chairs! Please get
involved if you have time and passion!
