Councilmember says there will be continued push for heightened safety measures on Mill Creek Greenway

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The deadly attack on a woman who was exercising at the Mill Creek Greenway has highlighted safety concerns in the area.

Alyssa Lokits, 34, was killed on October 15 was murdered by 29-year-old Paul Park , who is now in the custody of the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD). Dispatch logs show more than 160 records tied to the area within the last year. The majority of those logs were for thefts or routine policing. However, some calls also included reports of suspicious people and shots being fired.

Metro Councilmember John Rutherford told News 2 that he’s heard concerns from his constituents:

“For my entire time on Council I have been pushing for added lighting, cameras and a gate that closes at dusk at the entry points of the greenway, like the one at Radnor. This has been community driven as many of my constituents have been calling for the same thing since we often see drug activity and car break-ins. Obviously now the situation is elevated following the murder of Alyssa Lokits along the greenway. We also need to implement LPR’s, as that would have helped apprehend the suspect sooner, as Chief Drake stated. Metro needs to stop dragging its feet on these issues of public safety. As a city, we are doing many big things, but we are not keeping pace with keeping our people safe and providing law enforcement with the tools they need. I intend to continue the push make the greenway safer and hope fellow council members and the mayor will do the same. “

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said that the data could help shine a light on where resources could be better directed.

“I know the Metro Police Department works closely on the dispatching process. They work very closely with Metro Parks police,” O’Connell told News 2. “And of course, the goal is not only to have people feel safe not matter what they’re doing, no matter where they are in the city, but also to be safe.”

The news of Lokits’ death has shocked many in the running community . The trail where she died was nearly empty on Thursday afternoon when News 2 spoke with people exercising.

“Just have to protect yourself now,” Kamisha O’Neil, who was on the trail, said. “You have to be careful. You have to watch your surroundings and you can’t trust everyone.”

Muhammad Hamveh, who was also on the trail, said that his wife always carries pepper spray on the greenway to ensure her safety.

“It could have happened to anyone,” Hamveh added. “It’s just unfortunate that it happened.”

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