Metro Parks Board looks to increase safety measures at Davidson County parks

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Metro Parks Board is looking to enhance safety measures at public parks in Davidson County after 34-year-old Alyssa Lokits was murdered while running along the Mill Creek Greenway in Antioch.

Parks police also say there has been a string of recent car break-ins, prompting them to consider ramping up recruitment efforts to hire more officers.

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"We're having the same struggles everyone else is having hiring people, just our process takes that much longer," said Parks Lieutenant Bryan Irvin.

Irvin said currently Parks Police has 17 fulltime officers, including himself. Two officers are still in training at the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Academy, and MNPD has 13 open parks positions. He says the hiring process can take around six months, which may contribute to the challenge in bringing on more officers. In the latest hiring cycle, 464 candidates applied and only 25 are still in consideration, according to Irvin.

MNPD Deputy Chief Tommy Widener said adding surveillance cameras and parking lot gates can make parks safer while the department works to fill open positions.

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"You have to get the right employee. That's a key part. Technology is a key part; messaging is a key part; internal and external communication, social media, lighting... I mean we can keep going," Widener said.

The Metro Parks Board suggested potentially adding surveillance cameras at remote trailheads.

Board members also said they will likely continue safety discussions at future meetings.