NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After a series of crimes, a Donelson neighborhood association said enough is enough and installed its own license plate reader cameras.

That was eight months ago. Since then, neighbors said crime has gone down significantly.

The Harborview neighborhood is cleaning up its act after last summer there were gunshots at the community pool and a long list of car break-ins.

"Last summer, we had 12 vehicle break-ins and a theft," Bart Smith with the homeowners association said. "We had people brazenly coming down driveways and scoping cars."

Now, Smith said there's more peace and quiet thanks to the homeowners association installing license plate readers.

"It's been so quiet," Smith said. "People are really pleased with the result. People feel more at peace on their property."

The community voted last year to get them, and it passed with 70% voting in favor of the LPRs.

Residents against the LPRs said it's a privacy concern, an argument that Metro leaders haven't been able to agree on either.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said he's waiting on Metro Council, but councilmembers said they've done their part and it's up to him.

"I'm glad this neighborhood is seeing such positive results from this important and effective technology," Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnson said. "It continues to be a source of frustration that the mayor's office refuses to bring the LPR vendor contracts to the council for approval. Full implementation was approved well over two years ago. The metro government is failing this city by refusing to provide this safety tool for our police department."

Metro police said the idea of HOAs funding their own LPRs isn't new, but they're glad to see it cutting down on crime in this neighborhood.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/donelson-neighborhood-sees-crime-drop-after-installing-license-plate-reader-cameras/