Brownsville adds new police precinct in high-crime area
BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. — The Mayor announced during Tuesday night’s city board meeting that a precinct should be open in the Northern part of town by the end of the month. North Brownsville was the scene of several shootings over the past several months. Police department officials said they have increased patrols in the aftermath of those shootings. Now this precinct, which is located in the former headquarters of the city’s housing authority, will be staffed to increase safety. “This is where we’ve seen our concentration of crimes and the shootings that plagued our neighborhood for the last several months in our community,” Mayor Bill Rawls said. “They have been right there.” He said no new police officers will be hired, because the department already has sufficient numbers to staff the building. Residents said they already felt safer. “I feel very confident and safe that they are next door to us now because of all the violence and stuff going on next door and behind our apartments,” resident Shenita Brantley said. She said she can now breathe easier knowing her children will be in a safer environment. The mayor said the target date for the precinct’s opening is March 26 and that they plan to add on a basketball court to encourage the community to get to know the officers who watch over them.
