Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson has requested funding to hire 22 officers that would be dedicated to neighborhood foot patrols.
In the past, police have patrolled the downtown core on foot, but only during times when the area is expected to be busy. If Anderson's request is approved, residential areas could see regular foot patrols for the first time.
"It’s great to see all these new businesses come up, but with that people need to feel protected and feel safe to be out and about at night,' said East Nashville resident Amos Heller. "I think walking officers would be a great thing to see."
A Metro spokesperson said walking officers is an idea Chief Anderson has heard citizens ask for at several community meetings.
It was unclear exactly how much the foot patrols would cost, but the 22 officers are part of a larger request to hire 128 new officers over the next several years.
Anderson has not said which neighborhoods would be given foot patrols if the funding is approved.
