A novel idea: Fighting crime where it happens

The Metro Police Department says their new precinct in Madison is allowing officers in north Nashville to spend more time in problem areas, and that has cut down on crime.

Haynes Manor has been known as one of Nashville's high-crime neighborhoods, but resident Job Bond said things have been different lately.

"It's been quiet since the police have been around here. It's been quiet," he said.

Police say it is not by chance crime is down in several north-side communities.

"I think the message that has been sent to Haynes Manor is, 'Hey, every time we look around the police is all in here, so we need to go someplace else, or we need to quit,'" said Commander Anthony Carter.

In January, with the addition of the Madison Precinct, officers' coverage for the North Precinct shrank by about 70 square miles. Police said that has allowed officers to better focus on problem areas and arrest more criminals.

As a result, Carter said serious crimes in areas such as Bordeaux are down 9 percent and in Joelton, 25 percent. That includes offenses like homicide, robbery and aggravated assault.

"The Madison Precinct opening up has allowed us to be more visible and spend more time in the neighborhoods. And spending more time in the neighborhoods allows us to be more visible," Carter said.

But the news isn't great across the board. Carter said overall crime in north Nashville is up by about 2 percent. That's in part, he said, because of significant burglary issues in the Whites Creek and Scottsboro areas.