Councilman wants stimulus money for mall area police

WKRN Channel 2 News A Metro councilman hopes stimulus money the state will receive will help brighten the image of Antioch's Hickory Hollow Mall. Councilman Sam Coleman says $350,000 in stimulus money bring an increased police presence to the mall by adding four officers assigned to the mall area as part of a proposed safety plan. He feels it would help ease safety perceptions and in turn, attract new mall tenants. "I am hoping the General Assembly, the governor and the mayor will consider earmarking the federal stimulus dollars to be used here to implement the plan here in Hickory Hollow," he told News 2 Friday. Recent police statistics show a 26% crime decrease in the first six months of 2008 compared to the first six months of 2007. Coleman said, "I think that once people see there is a safety plan in place, and economy kick in, I think we are going to be in better shape, I really do." He said mall managers have told the neighborhood they have no plans to close the mall but said the use of the vacant space might change. Commercial realtors have promoted the mall for a variety of potential uses including an educational campus or medical facility.