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Memphis public safety leaders report crime reduction progress at forum
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Public safety leaders addressed crime in Memphis at a forum Tuesday night at the Hickory Hill Community Center.
The forum was hosted by tri-state defenders in hopes to inform the community and allow questions to be asked to public safety leaders.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, between 2023 to 2024, crime was down in Tennessee by 19% — despite 250 murders in Memphis.
But the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission said the city is still making progress.
TBI says TN crime down by 19% in 2023-2024, despite 250 murders in Memphis
'What it shows is that for the first half of this year crime had gone down pretty significantly in every major category,' said President and Public Safety Institute Executive Director Bill Gibbons of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission.
'For Memphis 22% of overall crimes means about 8,000 less victims than last year,' said Chief CJ Davis of the Memphis Police Department.
Police Chief Davis said major crime comes from domestic violence and gang-related activity.
The chief said in most crimes it's between people who know each other.
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'It's important to get to our young people when they are at that age of 10, 11, and 12 years age, so that you can get it in their heads the dangers and the risks when they're exposed to different types of nefarious activity and give them that power and that strength to say no,' said Chief CJ Davis.
The crime updates came up during a community forum Tuesday night.
'Our backup in intake, right now, of this morning, we had 165 intake,' said Sheriff Floyd Bonner of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office when asked how are they taking accountability.
Sheriff Bonner said his office is stretched thin because they are taking in about 60 to 70 inmates a day.
At 201 Poplar there are nearly 2,800 men which is overcapacity. The Jail East has 335 women and 84 people in juvenile detention.
'We try to help them get their GED, we partner with non-profits like 'The Final Escape', who also helps people with GEDs,' said Sheriff Bonner. 'In other words, ladies and gentlemen, we're trying to make a better person.'
'That means being willing to cooperate with law enforcement in a robust way, that means providing tips, it means reporting crimes, it means being able to serve as witnesses,' said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy.
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