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Resident asks Collierville leaders about adults and children gathering near Simmons Bank; police say they have checked the site repeatedly
Summary
A Collierville resident on Sept. 8 asked the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for clarification about adults and children who regularly gather at the corner of Simmons Bank and Pep Boys; the police chief said officers have checked the group more than 60 times since January and that DCS found no immediate safety concerns on four visits.
Resident Melissa Heisey told the Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Sept. 8 she wanted clarification about a group of adults and children who regularly gather at the corner of Simmons Bank and Pep Boys and whether the town regards their situation as duress.
“Heisey said she had not spoken to the board before and that she wanted clarification ‘straight from the horse’s mouth, rather than from social media,’” the resident told the board. Heisey said she was concerned about children present at the location and asked what the town and community can do to assist.
Chief Lane of the Collierville Police Department responded that the department “share[s] your concern as well” and described outreach. “Since January, the Collierville Police Department has checked or stopped, made calls over 60 times,” Chief Lane said. He added officers had contacted the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services four times; each time DCS checked the children and told officers that “everything is okay.”
Chief Lane said officers offered assistance, including help finding work or other support, and that some offers were refused. He said officers verified that the children were homeschooled and properly registered and that the department aims to act compassionately while remaining constrained by law. “We can only do what the law allows us to do,” Chief Lane said, and added that if officers saw children in danger they would act.
Assistant Chief Townsend joined the outreach effort, Chief Lane said, and the chief offered Heisey his contact information for follow‑up. Chief Lane also said the department placed a social‑media post about state law and their actions roughly a month earlier, which generated debate in the community.
The mayor thanked Chief Lane and Heisey; no formal board action was taken on the matter during the meeting. Chief Lane said the department will continue checks and will intervene if it observes danger.
The exchange recorded at the meeting documents the number of department contacts, DCS referrals and staff offers to help; officials noted DCS had not found immediate safety concerns during the checks recorded in the meeting.
