With the holidays approaching, I wanted to take a little time to send everyone some helpful tips and contacts. Metro Nashville Police Department is the law enforcement agency for the City of Forest Hills. It is important to know that our city is broken up into two police precincts and the dividing line is Hillsboro Road. Anything to the west of Hillsboro Road is covered by Metro Police West Precinct, and anything to the east of Hillsboro Road is covered by Midtown Hills Precinct.
Below are some important contacts and helpful tips for the holiday season.
Non-Emergency - (615) 862-8600
Emergency - 911
Nashville hub: Nashville Hub
West Precinct
If your residence is west of Hillsboro Road
Sgt. Amanda Kozen / Community Coordinator
Email: Amanda.Hane@nashville.gov
615-880-1760
Midtown Hills Precinct
If your residence is east of Hillsboro Road
Sgt. Cecilia Gomez / Community Coordinator
Email: Cecilia.Gomez@nashville.gov
615-880-1411
Community Coordinators for each precinct can help with requests that are not in progress like traffic enforcement, solicitors, extra patrol, etc. Please use the contacts below for if you have any requests or concerns.
TIPS FOR THE APPROACHING HOLIDAY SEASON
At Home
Make sure all doors and windows have secondary locks (window pins, deadbolts, dowels, etc.) and use them!
Don't hide spare keys in mailboxes or planters, or under doormats.
Ensure that dark areas and entrances have outdoor lights that are turned on after dark or are activated by sensors.
Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed so they do not conceal doors and windows. Remember, overgrown foliage can provide a hiding place for criminals.
Place gifts where they can't be seen from the outside.
Consider safe deposit boxes for coin and stamp collections, seldom-worn jewelry, stock bonds, etc.
Be sure to mail cards, checks or gift certificates from the Post Office or at a blue U.S. Postal Service collection box.
Lock your vehicle and remove all the valuables. Yes, even in your driveway.
Vehicles
1. Park in well-lighted areas or attended lots to avoid detection.
2. Don't leave personal documents in your car to prevent identity fraud. 3.
Never leave your car running while unattended, even for a short time.
4. Lock your vehicle and remove valuables, even in your driveway. 5. DO NOT leave any firearms in your vehicle!
Strangers at your Door
Use caution anytime there is a stranger at your door.
Be suspicious of unexpected sales calls or deliveries. Ask for identification.
Be aware of scams that criminals commit to take advantage of people's generosity during the holidays.
Investigate charities before making donations. Ask how the funds will be used.
Homeless Person in the Area
If you notice anyone that appears homeless in the area, please contact Metro Police non-emergency number to make contact with them. Police can possibly assist them in locating proper shelter and other resources.
Leaving for the Holidays
Ask a trusted friend, neighbor or Neighborhood Watch member to watch your home.
Use timers for lights and radios while you're away.
Remember to make arrangements for mail and newspapers.
After the Holidays
Don't advertise expensive toys, electronics, or other gifts received by the boxes left for garbage collections. Compress large boxes and place them in black garbage bags for pick-up.
Add new items to your home inventory. Take photos or video of all items of value in your home and list each item's make, model, serial number and other information.
Engrave new items to help identify them in the event they are stolen.
5 Tips to protect your packages
Network with Neighbors
Have Packages Delivered to Work
Leave Specific Drop-off Instructions
Use a Smart Lock
Install Security Cameras
Tips to avoid package thefts
Get a P.O. Box as Your Local Post Office
Use Lockers
Set Up Notifications to Track Your Packages
Install a Security Camera
Get Your Packages Delivered to Your Office
Require a Signature on Delivery
Reschedule Delivery or Ask for a Package Hold When on Vacation
Try Smart Locks
Get a Package Guard
Insure Your Packages
Ask Your Neighbors to Grab Your Packages
What to do if you become a victim of a package theft
Check with your delivery company to make sure your package was actually delivered.
Know exactly what’s in the missing box.
If you see the thief, pay attention to what his or her vehicle looks like and its license plate number. Second to that, get the thief’s physical description – gender, approximate height and weight and what they’re wearing – so you can tell an officer.
Call police and ask for an officer to come to your home.
If you have a security camera on your home, get a copy of the video to police. Ask your neighbors if their cameras captured the thief in action.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday season!
Mark Hill
City Manager / City of Forest Hills