NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- The Metro Police Department is launching a program that will provide victims of hate crimes a safe place to wait until officers arrive.
Metro LGBTQ liaison officer Katie Poole announced Thursday that four downtown businesses have agreed to be designated shelters in the city’s Safe Space Program.
Officer Poole says it's an idea that MNPD borrowed from Seattle.
“It was created to address the lack of reporting of hate crimes. It’s one of the most underreported crimes in the country. There’s a lot of work there to be done to promote and encourage people to come out and report those hate crimes.”
The downtown businesses designated as Safe Place shelters include the Tribe and Play bars, Suzy Wong’s House of Yum -all in the 1500 block of Church Street- and the Oasis Center on Charlotte Ave.