Nashville’s top police leader John Drake minced no words in a recent interview with Channel 5 about repeat offender crimes.
Chief Drake has become increasingly frustrated the last 10 days from three different violent crimes in April where the accused suspects were out on bond for other crimes. The overarching picture from Drake is that he wants the criminal justice agencies to communicate better, especially when it comes to suspected offenders’ threats to public safety.
Recently, a musician was shot and killed, an Amazon delivery driver was raped and kidnapped and a high school student ran from a man trying to kidnap her.
The state legislature is moving forward with putting a referendum on the ballot to ask voters if those suspected of violent crimes should have their bond privileges revoked. That measure could be seen on the ballot as early as 2026.
However, Drake is more concerned about the now. He wants the entire criminal justice system from public defenders, judges and the Nashville District Attorney’s Office to have a conversation. Drake said he knows those suspected of crimes have their Constitutional right to bond. However, he said it should be a discussion of what to do with those who continue to commit crimes over and over.
