NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Nashville Police are cracking down on crime downtown for the holiday weekend.
This comes as areas near Lower Broadway and Printers Alley have seen a dramatic, 50% spike in thefts.
Metro Nashville Police said there will be an extra 17 officers on patrol in those areas this weekend. They'll be split into two shifts.
Starting Friday, one team will work from 6:00p.m. to 11:00p.m., then the next will take over from 11:00p.m. to 4:00a.m.
Officers will be walking around and riding on bicycles, making stops at several areas downtown. There will also be undercover officers working in those areas.
This is response to more recent thefts, including pickpocketing of items like cell phones and wallets in places where there are large crowds.
Metro Police said people can always do their own part by being vigilant about keeping an eye on their phones, purses and wallets at all times.
