After experiencing an unsettling uptick in neighborhood crime, a group of neighbors and community activists in Haynes Park, outside of Nashville, decided to do something about it. The Haynes Park Neighborhood Association, led by President Andrew Ward, were interested in exploring new methods. such as technology, that could help them contend with the increasing and often-violent crime. 

“Haynes Park was in the news four times last year with violence, with shootings and drug busts,” shared Gina Coleman, a Neighborhood Association Board Member. “The neighbors said, we’ve got to do something; we can’t take this anymore.”

Haynes Park is a tight-knit neighborhood in Northwest Nashville. Many of its residents, including many of the Board members, have lived there for decades or even half a century, and have been organizing on behalf of the neighborhood for years.

The Haynes Park Neighborhood Association’s vision is both simple and aspirational: “a community that is vibrant, beautiful, and safe where all families can flourish economically, educationally, and in harmony. We exist to address community concerns and enhance the quality of life for all residents by promoting community awareness/alertness, unity, and safety.”

The Association discovered Flock Safety, an affordable and accessible solution purpose-built to help keep neighborhoods safe. They knew that installing just a few Flock Safety license plate reading cameras in Haynes Park could go a long way toward not just solving crime, but deterring it.

To raise the money to purchase Flock Safety cameras, the Association pursued the tactics that served them in the past: they organized. By presenting the proposal and sharing the benefits of the Flock Safety system to each household, the neighbors raised $4,500 for two LPR cameras. 

“This was all neighbor-driven, us working for six months,” said Gina. “If we did not come together to help ourselves, we wouldn’t have these cameras. This was life or death.”

The Association did request additional patrols from the local police, and encouraged the Metro Council to help support the project. Gloria Ward, Andrew’s wife and a board member herself, explained that Haynes Park neighbors welcome the opportunity to build relationships with local law enforcement. 

“I don’t hear any complaints about the police department — I think it’s a good thing that they are patrolling the neighborhood a little bit more.”

After the security cameras were installed, a shooting occurred in Haynes Park. The Association was able to pull details about the suspect’s vehicle from
the Flock camera footage and give it to the Precinct Commander. 

While at first some residents were concerned about privacy, the Association has been able to allay much of those concerns by sharing the Flock Safelist feature. Gina is actively working to help all her neighbors register their license plates on the system so they can easily identify and filter out residents. 

The Association also actively supports local legislation, sponsored by City Councilmember Courtney Johnston, to allow license plate cameras to be placed on public roads, in addition to private property.

“My goal is to make Nashville safer. An LPR can’t [detect race]. It actually removes that bias,” Courtney told a local reporter. “If this is the only thing I get done in my term I know it will have a lasting effect on public safety.”

All photos by John Partipilo of the Tennessee Lookout