Police chief attacks truancy in Metro schools

WKRN (Channel 2 News) Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas is calling on the Metro School District to keep track of its students and Tuesday night, vented his frustrations to board members. He said Tuesday morning police checked on a 17-year-old Antioch High School student arrested in February for aggravated burglary. While a check of the attendance system showed the student was present at Antioch, he was nowhere to be found. "As it turns out, his first period teacher did not bother to enter his absence in the system," he explained, blaming the school district for failing to keep track of students. "If we're out there investigating crimes and calling the system and we're told the student we're looking for is present and accounted for like we found out in Antioch [Tuesday] morning, and it's not the case, what does that do?" he asked. In just one week, between September 30 and October 6, Metro police arrested 19 students for truancy. On average, the students have missed 10 days of school but one student was listed as having 23 unexcused absences. "It not optional whether or not we have reliable attendance data," Metro School Board Chair David Fox reiterated, adding new attendance software has been part of the problem. "There have been some problems using the software and also making sure its functioning the way it's expected to," he said. Fox expects much more reliable attendance data in the upcoming weeks. Chief Serpas said that is long overdue. "We're not trying to tell the school board what to do, we're making it very clear to them crime goes up in a certain part of town, and its daytime burglaries, they've got some responsibility for this," he said. In a statement Mayor Karl Dean said, "With the new Metro student attendance center, it is my hope and expectation that Metro police, Metro schools and juvenile court will continue to work in partnership to best resolve the issues facing our truant students and to provide positive early interventions so that the students are reengaged in school life as quickly as possible."

Metro police department is reaccredited

The Metro Nashville Police Department was reaccredited Saturday by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The agency sent three inspectors to review the department for four days in April. The inspectors found no noncompliance issues in Metro's policies or procedures and renewed accreditation through 2011. "Achieving and maintaining accreditation is a commitment not all law enforcement agencies chose to make," Chief Ronal Serpas said in a statement. "Today's reaccreditation action is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our officers, professional support staff and community partners to make a real difference in Nashville's safety and quality of life." Metro's police department first received accreditation in 1994. — LACEY LYONSllyons@tennessean.com

District 29 Crime Update Meeting Minutes

District 29 Crime Update Meeting Minutes Hermitage Police Precinct Thursday February 7, 2008 A very big thank you to the members of the Priest Lake Presbyterian Church for the opportunity to conduct the Crime Update Meeting at their church. Council Lady Vivian Wilhoite, presiding Opening of the Meeting –Prayer by Reverend Paul Burns Introduction of the of the Guest Speaker-Council Lady Vivian Wilhoite Discussed the continuous meetings to keep everyone abreast of the crime situation I District “29” and through the entire Nashville area. Thanked everyone from the community for attending the meeting. Introduced Chief Ronal Serpas Metropolitan Nashville Davidson Police Department- Chief Ronal Serpas 1) He states that they are only notified of about ½ the crimes that have been committed. • The department has stopped reading fiction about how to police people • Have a professional police attitude- every person should be helped by a police person no matter what the problem • The police have started to do things to help people better 2) Auto theft has not been lower then it is now (2007 reports) 3) Burglaries are lower now then they were in 1965 4) People that are releases from prisons are the ones causing most of the crimes 5) January 1, 2008 “Crooks with Guns” law is passed. Repeat offenders that are affected the most by this law. 6) Out of 70% of armed robberies, 40% of the crimes committed are by criminals that have been convicted on a felony charge. 30% have committed some type of crime. This is an ongoing, uphill battle. 7) Narcotic arrests higher now then ever before. Dealers are running a business and they are only concerned about making money. A drug arrest that takes place in a car where there is also a gun found carries a stiffer penalty. 8) Gangs- the idea of gangs has been going on for a long time. The differences with the gangs we have now are that members change to other gangs and they are not looking to make a lifetime commit to any one gang. 9) Some kids might dress like they are in gangs but they are not. The new dress code has helped this situation. 10) From August 2007 through October 2208 three days a week time are spent to monitor gangs and their activities. Extra money spent on overtime has been used to control gang problems. What is needed for the next four years have a stronger police department and be able to obtain more officers 1) Need to be able to offer better pay and benefits to be able to obtain more police 2) Better education for the community 3) More Precincts in Nashville 4) More Precinct Staffing 5) Need to have DNA lab- being able to use DNA samples would solve more crimes 6) Trying to get some Police Officers to patrol neighborhoods 7) Crimes against you are usually by some one you know Questions for Chief Ronal Serpas Q) What about the safety at Bicentennial Mall? A) Perhaps better lighting and different policing methods In general, Nashville has a higher % of crime reduction than other cities. Q) What does a Sheriff do? A) Not a law official, maintance of prisons and prisoners, serving warrants. The Police department has the criminal responsibility. Introduction of Commander Michelle Richter - Hermitage Precinct If you see a criminal try and get a good description of person, car, anything you can get to help. There was a 3% decrease in the crime rate in 2007. Questions of Michelle Richter Q) Man and woman that are homeless keep coming into Cablegate, what can we do? A) Nothing unless they are committing a crime or panhandling. Q) Nashboro Village – What about the high crime rate? A) Nashboro Village has been a roller coaster ride. Management has been working hard to correct issues. They have changed the Section 8 status. Met with management to try and get better lighting. Q) Are there many gangs around here? A) Not really, just a few. At one point there was a gang issue when they were living in vacant apartments. Q) In Cane Ridge there is a new High School is being built, have the police evaluated what will happen with the gangs between Antioch High School and the new one? A) They will have support there. The new dress code is making a large difference. Q) Vivian Wilhoite asked how we can obtain truancy reports? A) Looking to have a link added to this blog Q) Are the Police around when blasting is happen? A) NO, but if people think the vibrations are too much, make the police department aware and they can find someone to measure the blasting. If blasting is going to happen and you are within 300 feet you should be notified by the city. Q) The speeding around Antioch has gotten worse. Can you post a speed limit? A) It is a societal problem and is very difficult to change Q) I have been living in the condos in the Nashboro Village area for 7 years and feel the crime rate has drastically increased. A) Setup a Neighborhood Watch Closing by Vivian Wilhoite That is the crime update. These meetings are for the public to voice their concerns. We need to strengthen our relationship with the Police Department. Further updates will be posted, to keep the district up-to-date on all important issues. It is very important that more people start getting involved and attend the Crime Update Meetings. If you know people in your neighborhood that might not have access to a Computer please make them aware of the meetings. Spread the word and let’s strengthen “District 29” and make our neighborhoods a great place to live. Posted on the side of the blog are important phone numbers to keep on hand to report a crime or information concerning possible drug activity. Do not be afraid to use them. Crime Stoppers 74-CRIME (742-7463) Drug Activity 244-DOPE (244-3673) You do not have to give your name! Just make the call! Start a Neighborhood Watch Group. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch Group in your neighborhood please send an email to fullcircle148@aol and leave name, area you live and contact information. Have a great Weekend! Posted by MS