In the wake of a tragic shooting that claimed two lives at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, local officials, law enforcement, and marina ownership came together on February 12 to address growing concerns about safety and security at the lakeside property. The incident marked the third deadly shooting at the marina in the past four years, bringing the total number of lives lost to five - a troubling trend that has left residents in the surrounding community shaken.
The meeting, which lasted about 90 minutes, was spearheaded by Mt. Juliet Police Chief Tyler Chandler and held at the department’s headquarters.
It brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including leadership from the Mt. Juliet Police Department, the Mt.
Juliet Fire Department, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, elected officials, and representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - the federal agency that oversees lake access through lease agreements.
At the center of the discussion was the question of accountability. According to Chandler, it was made clear that under the terms of the lease with the Army Corps, the responsibility for ensuring safety and security at the privately owned marina rests squarely with its ownership - Southern Marinas.
And to their credit, representatives from Southern Marinas didn’t shy away from that responsibility. They acknowledged the need for change and laid out a plan for how they intend to make the area safer moving forward.
Among the immediate steps being implemented: nightly security patrols, upgraded entry gates with photo-capturing technology, improved lighting throughout the property, and a full review of the marina’s existing camera system. Importantly, the marina’s leadership also confirmed they will enforce federal regulations that prohibit using boats as permanent residences. Any slip holder found violating that rule will have their lease terminated.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which had representatives present at the meeting, echoed their support for the marina’s efforts. In a statement, the Corps emphasized that they’re on board with the proposed security enhancements - including mechanical gate installations and stricter enforcement of habitation rules - and are committed to helping the marina comply with all federal regulations.
Wilson County Commissioner Lauren Breeze, who represents the district where the marina is located, didn’t mince words about the urgency of the situation. She acknowledged that while Southern Marinas has already taken some steps to improve safety, more work is needed to restore the sense of peace the community once enjoyed.
“My district is primarily residential, quiet, and safe,” Breeze said. “We rarely have issues that require law enforcement involvement.
However, as we are all aware, there have been three separate shooting incidents involving five losses of life in the past four years on the private property at the marina. Residents I represent do not feel safe in their neighborhoods and homes.”
Breeze called for additional security measures, including better lighting and surveillance in the marina’s parking areas, stricter enforcement of local ordinances, and a crackdown on the use of boats as full-time residences - a practice that not only violates federal law but also complicates security and oversight efforts.
One key takeaway from the meeting was a shared commitment to transparency. Chandler noted that attendees encouraged marina ownership to host a public forum where residents can hear directly about the planned improvements, timelines, and expectations going forward. Southern Marinas reportedly agreed to organize such a meeting in the near future.
“Today’s meeting showed what strong collaboration looks like when everyone is focused on solutions,” Chandler said. “Marina ownership has been responsive and very open to the advice and input provided by each agency at the table. They understand their responsibility under their lease agreement and are taking steps to create a safer environment.”
While the road ahead won’t be easy, especially in a community still grappling with the emotional toll of repeated violence, the meeting marked a significant step toward rebuilding trust and restoring safety at Cedar Creek Marina. If the promises made in that room translate into real, sustained action on the ground, it could be the beginning of a much-needed turnaround for one of Mt. Juliet’s most troubled properties.