Nashville council members call for community safety plan and independent investigation

A heated discussion on community safety and public trust erupted during the Special Called Metro Council Committee meeting in Nashville on May 7, 2025. Council members voiced strong concerns over recent law enforcement actions, labeling them as "state-sponsored terrorism" and calling for a comprehensive community safety plan.

Council Member Ewing emphasized the need for innovative approaches to safety, arguing that recent traffic stops were not merely routine but rather intimidation tactics aimed at deporting citizens. "We need to come up with that community safety plan, which will involve having other parties out in the community partner with Metro," Ewing stated, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing public safety.

Council Member Bradford echoed these sentiments, expressing outrage over the weekend's events that he described as reminiscent of the very conditions many residents fled from. He criticized the absence of Police Chief Drake from the meeting, suggesting a lack of respect for taxpayers and public safety concerns. Bradford called for a third-party investigation into the police's involvement in recent incidents, insisting that Nashville must not be complicit in actions that undermine community trust.

The discussions underscored a growing demand for accountability and transparency in law enforcement practices, with council members urging the city to take a stand against perceived injustices. As Nashville grapples with these pressing issues, the call for a robust community safety plan and independent oversight of police actions may shape the city's approach to public safety in the future.