Updated: Police helicopter searching West Nashville

UPDATE May 14: Don Aaron, Metro Police spokesperson, said in an email, "Aviation reports that the helicopter was assisting in the search for a missing suicidal person. The individual was located."

Original post follows ...

For at least a half hour, a Metro Police helicopter has been flying overhead, shining a spotlight onto parts of West Nashville. An operator who answered an 11 p.m. call to Metro's non-emergency phone number 615-862-8600 said, "They're looking for somebody." He said residents should stay inside and lock their doors.

When asked about the nature of the search, the operator said he could not provide additional details.

Neighborhood Association meeting tonight, not Thursday

The Charlotte Park Neighborhood Association meeting this month will be tonight, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Metro Police West Precinct Roll Call Building, according to Janice Lampley, association treasurer. The association is not meeting on Thursday, as it typically does, because of another group meeting at that time.

Meeting dates and times can be viewed here.

Bulk item, appliance collection Monday 6 a.m.

Fliers placed on Charlotte Park mailboxes Saturday informed neighbors about "Bulk Item Cleanup," scheduled for Monday morning.

The collection of bulk items and major appliances is sponsored by Metro Beautification and Metro Public Works in conjunction with the neighborhood association, according to the flier, which said:

District 20 Neighborhood Cleanup
Monday, May 12, 2008

Boundaries include: American Road/Charlotte Avenue to Richland Creek (From Briley Parkway to Cumberland River)

All items must be placed at the curb of the street by 6 a.m. on Monday. Please do not place items near mailboxes or underneath trees or phone/electrical lines.

Bulk items that WILL be picked up include: Old furniture, mattresses/box springs, sofas/couches, televisions, lawn furniture, lawn mowers, bicycles, baby furniture, exercise equipment, toilets, refrigerators, freezers, water heaters, air conditioners, ranges, washers, dryers, and automobile parts, including fenders, hoods, metal bumpers, motor frames, transmissions, starters, alternators, radiators, rear ends, drive shafts, and brake rotors.

Bulk items that WILL NOT be picked up include: Dirt and sand, rocks and concrete, lumber, landscaping timbers/crossties, tree limbs, batteries and motor oil, tires, paint or empty paint cans, commercial or household chemicals, household hazardous materials, chicken and fencing wire, storage sheds (wooden, tin or vinyl), roofing, carpets and carpet pads, and no remodeling, building or construction debris of any kind.

For further information, call Metro Beautification & Environment Commission 862-8418

Image from Metro Beautification website.

May 12: Final meeting on Charlotte Ave. design plan

Community members are invited to a May 12 meeting during which Metro Planners will discuss a Charlotte Avenue/Richland Park Detailed Corridor Design Plan (DCDP). The plan focuses on possible growth and development along Charlotte Pike between 42nd Avenue North and Richland Creek. (See area on a map.)


The Draft Plan Presentation Meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, May 12, at St. Ann Catholic Community, 5101 Charlotte Pike. It will be the last in a series of scheduled community meetings for a Design Plan process aimed at creating "a plan for future growth and development outlining appropriate land use and urban design that complements and enhances the character of the corridor," according to a Metro meeting schedule and map document.

The blog Charlotte Avenue is Shaping Up has been covering this Charlotte Avenue revitalization effort since February. A recent post about the upcoming meeting said:

... The community will have the opportunity to offer feedback on the draft plan. This is your chance to come and see what the future holds for Charlotte Avenue. All are encouraged to attend. Please get the word out!

According to information on Metro's "West Nashville Community Plan" website, a draft Charlotte Pike plan will be presented at the meeting. The Charlotte Avenue/Richland Park DCDP is a part of the West Nashville Community Plan that was adopted in 2000 by the Metro Planning Commission.

Image from Metro's Draft Corridor Design Plan.

16-year-old home burglar arrested on River Rouge Drive

May 6 press release from Metro Police, via email from Charlotte Park Neighborhood Association:

A 16-year-old burglar is in Juvenile Detention this afternoon after an alert citizen saw a strange car at her neighbor’s River Rouge Drive home and quickly called police.

West Precinct Sergeant Mike Swoner was in the area at 10:30 a.m. addressing traffic issues when he heard the call go out and immediately responded. He found the car with the trunk open backed up to the back door of the home. As Swoner approached the car with gun drawn, the 16-year-old came out of the residence carrying a 32-inch flat screen television. Swoner asked the teenager what he was doing. He replied, “Stealing.”

Swoner took the teenager into custody after having him gently put the television on the ground. He subsequently learned that the suspect is in state custody and was living in a Portland, Tennessee, foster home.

West Precinct detectives believe the 16-year-old is also responsible for a home burglary on Annex Avenue earlier in the day. South Precinct detectives are investigating his likely involvement in as many as six home burglaries earlier in the week.

“This teenage criminal is in custody now because an alert citizen saw a strange car in her neighborhood, called police, and kept and eye on it until Sergeant Swoner arrived,” Chief Ronal Serpas said. “The partnership between the citizen and Sergeant Swoner was simply outstanding.”

Thus far, the teen is charged with aggravated burglary, marijuana possession, and felony theft as a result of today’s arrest. His prior charges include domestic assault, assault, resisting police, evading arrest, and disorderly conduct.