Publisher’s Note: Many thanks to Governor Bill Lee on his announcement regarding the launch of the Violent Crime Intervention Fund Tuesday morning. The one-time, $100 million addition to the 2022-2023 state budget is designed to support local law enforcement’s work to reduce violent crime.
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented support,” Lee said. “Tennessee is equipping law enforcement with the tools needed to keep every community safe.”
Rutherford County is slated to receive over $2.2 million in crime prevention funding. Below is the breakdown per municipality and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department.
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office $ 372,970
Eagleville Police Department $ 76,701
LaVergne Police Department $ 239,927
Murfreesboro Police Department $ 1,161,228
Smyrna Police Department $ 366,216
Why You Should Care…
Last Friday evening I met a 2005 La Verge High School graduate. I ran across an old edition of the Rutherford Courier — now known as the Daily News Journal newspaper. With the help of Smyrna resident and local craftsman Justin Beshearse on Facebook we located the Matthew O’Bryant the brother of Joel O’Bryant. Joel was a standout football player and was featured on the 2001 August edition front cover of the sports column. 
As we were standing along with his 1-year-old son we started hearing what sounded like gunshots. He thought the shots were from a paintball gun.
A few minutes later about three La Vergne Police Department units started to roll into the high school parking lot. The officer pulls up to us and asked “did you all hear any gun shots?” He then goes on to tell us that is has become way to commonplace when young 12 and 13-year-old boys are riding around in cars firing gun shots in the air. 
Those barrage of bullets are raining down on homes, businesses and even the high school football field—not just in la Vergne, but Smyrna as well.
If you’re a police officer, former officer or simply ‘Joe Q citizen’ that is concerned let me know your thoughts on this issue. It pains me to say this, but this problem will continue to get worse with the rise of mental health, drug addiction and the breakdown of the nuclear family and growing fatherless epidemic.
Feel free to call me personally at 615-525-3198 or email my office Rep.Mike.Sparks@capitol.tn.gov.
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By Adam Mintzer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The rate of homicides in Nashville is ticking up faster than the metropolitan area is growing. Criminal homicides are up 78% compared to the same time a decade ago, according to Metro police data.
As of Tuesday, there have been 89 killings in Davidson County in 2022, and while the number has gone up and down some in the past decade, the new data shows a spike since 50 homicides. Dwight Simmon’s brother was one of those 50. He said all these years later, losing his big brother and role model when he was 10 years old still haunts him.
RELATED: Nashville and Memphis Named in Top 20 for Most Violent US Cities
To read…the rest of the story visit: https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/78-spike-in-nashville-homicide-cases-over-past-decade/
