MEMPHIS, Tenn. — People who live and work downtown near Riverside Drive want the city to shut it down.
Last Saturday, it opened up for the first time in about a year.
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Park Ranger Gregory Allen said there are drivers who drag race on the road almost every day.
He was also working when a 13-year-old girl was shot while riding her scooter on Riverside drive.
“The longer we keep it open it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt,” said Allen.
Allen is a park ranger for the Memphis River Parks Partnership.
Every day, he makes sure the parks are safe and people are following the rules.
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One thing he can’t control is drag racing.
“The most we can do is just get people to get out of the way and wave people down,” said Allen.
“There is only so much we can do, we aren’t made of metal we cant jump in front of a car and make them slow down.”
He’s also concerned about the recent violence.
Two Sundays ago, a 13-year-old girl was shot while riding her scooter on Riverside drive.
Officers said it happened when gunfire was exchanged between two cars.
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Allen was there when it happened.
“We want the parks to be a safe place for people to come back to and make memories,” said Allen.
“When you see everyone running towards the river garden you are like crap let me go the opposite way and make sure everything is okay,” said Allen.
Allen isn’t the only person who wants to see Riverside drive shut down.
South Main Association President Eric Bourgeois said he received several complaints from downtown residents.
He released a statement saying the reopening of the street put people at risk.
Allen said he hopes something is done soon before things get out of hand.
“People are going above the speed limit, they are drag racing, partying and speeding and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt,” said Allen.
FOX13 reached out to the city and MPD.
An MPD spokesperson said they increased police presence in the area.
Meanwhile, a city spokesperson said there is no plan to close Riverside drive at this time.
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