Chattanoogans sound off on public safety concerns

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Many are on edge after a string of recent shootings. We asked local residents if they feel safe in Chattanooga after recent incidents.

One resident, Kristy, said, “I feel like these things can happen anywhere. I don’t think it makes Chattanooga more unsafe than any other cities, being from Texas where this kind of thing is normal.”

According to releases sent to us by Chattanooga Police, there have been 13 different shootings since March 26th.

These shootings have claimed six lives and injured 11 others.

However, some residents we talked to say combatting gunfire should not be our sole focus.

One resident, Diana Davies, said, “I do feel unsafe at times. Both the gun issue, because I feel like it is the Wild West right now, and also just pedestrian and bike safety in the city. It seems like people are just wild. There’s no traffic calming, people are starting to try to after several other incidents. So yeah, there are times where I do not feel safe in Chattanooga.”

The residents say they have considered a change in behavior when out and about.

Kristie said, “It has, but that’s why I go downtown during the daytime and not the nighttime… (I have) personal protection, not a gun but other things like pepper spray and stuff like that.”

Davies said, “I watch where I go carefully in both walking and biking and I stay out of being here at certain times of the day.”

Some wonder if legislative change is needed.

Davies said, “I think we need some better laws, and some of these laws are going in the opposite direction especially with the gun issues.”

Chattanooga Police are still looking for suspects in multiple of these incidents.

If you know anything that could help them solve one of these cases, please contact CPD.