Martha O'Bryan Center

A new Metro Police patrol unit will partner with the Martha O'Bryan Center, located in the heart of lower east Nashville and Cayce Homes. East precinct commander Robert Nash said a four man unit and sergeant will work exclusively in the James Cayce Homes housing project.

"It's so big that we've always had a little difficulty getting our arms around it," said Nash of the complex housing more than 2,500 people. "Our goal is to make it as safe a place to live as any apartment complex in Nashville."  

The Center provides educational resources for residents, and police will refer residents there, sometimes even working with them there.

"Just like you know your neighbors, you have to know the police department the exact same way," said Sandra Avent, the center's director of community outreach. "It's sort of like creating a crime watch. If you actually know who they are then you can feel comfortable going to them." 

The move came after careful review of 2010 goals, citing Cayce as a high density hot spot for drug and gang crimes, along with other violence.