Only a month ago, McMinnville Police Chief Bryan Denton said, “It has been eerily quiet. Call volume is down here and in Middle Tennessee. There is a different attitude and respect toward life.”
At that time, 911 calls were 60% less. In March 2019, there were 1,890 calls for law enforcement compared to 814 calls in March 2020.
In April 2019, the 911 call amount was 1,786 and this April there were 1,064 calls for officers. It shows that calls decreased from the previous year, but it also shows there were 250 more calls than last month.
“All calls are gradually increasing,” said Denton. “My guess is the initial tenseness and uncertainty has subsided as more information has been shared and precautions are better accepted.”
It has been reported that domestic calls were increasing across the state and worldwide. Families in lockdown, isolation and financial stress are considered factors for the increased volume.
Existing powder-keg situations escalate with the addition of stress from business and school closings, leaving many people out of work and financially strained.
Traffic slowed down substantially for a bit, but cabin fever, pretty weather, stocking up on necessities and the low number of positive COVID-19 cases in Warren County may have given people a false sense of security.
“As business and commerce return to normal it drives up all calls, including traffic related,” said Denton. “Arrests, like everything else, have seen a gradual increase. We got comfortable being in slow-down mode and drove carefully. Lately there are more incidents of reckless driving, traffic violations and accidents.”
Gov. Bill Lee has announced that numerous businesses could re-open with specific guidelines. The hope is getting back to “normal” and keeping businesses from closing permanently.
Denton said arrests have seen a gradual increase. His advice is, “Continue being cautious and make decisions from facts relayed by trusted sources.”
McMinnville Police Department continues to increase its visibility to maintain safety and reassure the public that officers are still on patrol. If you need assistance they are a phone call away.
