A University of Memphis student whose car was vandalized at the Memphis Central Library parking lot on Poplar Avenue on Nov. 9 said that he is just the latest victim of a wave of youth violence that has overtaken the city.
Ross Nagler said his brand new car was parked in the lot next to the library when he saw two youngsters jumping on his car causing more than $1,000 worth of damage.
“I was pissed,” he said. “I had a knife and pulled it out because they were threatening me. I was not going to let someone just destroy my car right in front of me. ”
The incident follows several other high profile acts of violence blamed on gangs of unruly youths in the city. On Sept. 6, a mob of youngsters caused a disturbance at CiCi’s Pizza at Poplar Plaza and then attacked two Kroger employees. Ten youths were charged in the attack.
Later in September, a mob of youths attacked vehicles and property near Central High School after a football game. Mayor A C Wharton has proposed a curfew in Memphis in hopes of stemming the tide of youth violence. Others have proposed moving high school athletic events to the daytime hours.
“I told them this was not going to be another Kroger incident,” Nagler said. “These recent events have really prepared me in a way to be diligent about what could really happen.”
Just eight months earlier, Nagler had his rims and tires stolen off of his car in his driveway.
“I’m just kind of paranoid, like what is going to happen next,” he said.
The police report classified the incident as a “Felony/Vandalism,” but the teens will not face criminal offense unless video surveillance shows a clear picture of them and they are identified.
But unfortunately for Nagler, the chance that the library has footage of the incident is slim.
“Even though they probably don’t have footage of it, the library has been the best part of it,” he said. “They have gone above and beyond and have been so understanding.”
Nagler has only been back to the library once since the incident, but says the staff plans to install more cameras and set up more lights in the parking lot to prevent future incidents such as his.
“A younger person might not have done what I did and take out a knife, but I grew up in Memphis so I know what goes on,” he said.
Knife laws in the state of Tennessee say it is legal to have a switchblade on your person if it only used for defense purposes.
“It would have been different if I didn’t have that knife on me because that is the only thing that scared them off,” he said.
Nagler suggests to park in a well-lit area close to wherever one is going and always be armed to prevent situations such as his.
