Crime data from MNPD show home break-ins on the rise

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Home break-ins are on the rise across Davidson County, according to new statistics from the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD).

In a year-to-date analysis by the MNPD, home break-ins have risen in nearly all of Nashville, none more than in North Nashville, where home break-ins jumped 75% in just one year, going from 124 reported incidents to 217.

The only police precinct that saw a decrease in home burglaries was the East Precinct, although that area has seen a massive uptick in vehicle theft (64.3%). In North Nashville, total burglaries – residential and commercial combined – rose 84% from 2023, also the biggest increase in Davidson County.

“The most important thing is to be able to feel safe in your home, and when a home is burglarized, it shakes the core of your safety,” said Rev. Frank Stevenson, dean of students at Tennessee State University and a known figure in the North Nashville community. “ This is not just a police issue, this is about the police and the community working together, neighbors being neighbors.”

Stevenson said these rising numbers “disturbed” him. He believes more effort must be placed on the issue, with an emphasis on helping local youth find positive outlets.

“(We have to be) intentional about making sure that we have our young people busy and doing something with jobs and opportunities in the summer,” Stevenson told News 2 on Wednesday, July 3. “We know that there is a need for attention, particularly in this community, and resources, more resources have to be put into this community. Nashville can and should do better.”

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In the case for North Nashville, Stevenson attributes crimes like burglary to an imbalance of wealth.

“What’s happening is gentrification, that has plagued this particular area, is having individuals with the haves and have-nots living right next door to each other…I think our council, I think our mayor, I think our leaders get it and they’re carving out to make sure that North Nashville is not left out, that there’s attention that is paid to this part of the city, and that we are creating opportunities for all families to be in this space,” Stevenson said.

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