‘The Memphis mayor says he’s been meeting with gang leaders and they pinky swore to stop killing and stealing if they are provided good jobs and more activities at the community center. Who knew the answer to our crime wave was a job at Popeyes and a knitting class?’ Todd Starnes
Memphis, a city experiencing a significant rise in violent crime, has seen its mayor, Democrat Paul Young, take an unusual approach to tackling the issue. Instead of meeting with law enforcement or prosecutors, Mayor Young decided to speak directly with some of the top gang leaders in the city. His goal was to negotiate a ceasefire, asking the gang members for just seven days without any shootings or killings.
During a panel discussion focused on youth development, Mayor Young shared that he had asked the gang leaders for a week of peace, and they agreed. However, they had some conditions, such as ensuring their rivals also respected the ceasefire and getting assistance to find good jobs and the necessary training.
‘I’m fighting to Make Memphis Matter and pass legislation to tackle our crime problem. Outlined below are several bills I have in committee this week that will help make our community a safer place.’ ….Senator Brent Taylor
This approach by the mayor has sparked quite a bit of discussion. Instead of pursuing long-term solutions to reduce crime, Mayor Young opted to negotiate with the criminals, offering them incentives to stop committing crimes for a short period.
As the ceasefire week has ended, many are questioning the effectiveness of this strategy. Mayor Young mentioned that the gang members justified their criminal activities, like stealing cars, as a way to pass time and earn money due to a lack of job opportunities and activities in their communities.
The meeting between Mayor Young and the gang leaders was facilitated by HEAL 901, a nonprofit organization. Durell Cowan, the executive director of HEAL 901, emphasized the importance of including those involved in criminal activities in conversations about reducing crime. The meeting included discussions on how to address the root causes of crime and provide better opportunities for those involved in gangs.
While some may see this approach as unconventional or even controversial, it highlights the complexities of addressing crime and the need for innovative strategies that consider the underlying issues contributing to criminal behavior.
Crime in Memphis
Crime rates in Memphis have been a significant concern, with the city experiencing fluctuations over the years. In 2023, certain crime statistics indicated changes compared to the previous year. For instance, there was a 15.9% increase in serious juvenile charges and a 3% increase in domestic violence incidents. Additionally, the city saw a 19.6% increase in robberies, a 2% increase in aggravated assaults, and a notable increase in the recidivism rate by 36%.
Memphis has consistently ranked high in terms of crime rates among major U.S. cities. In 2022, Memphis had a crime rate of 98 per one thousand residents, positioning it as one of the cities with the highest crime rates when compared to other communities of all sizes in America. Specifically, the chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Memphis was one in 10. This high crime rate has placed Memphis among the top 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S.A. According to NeighborhoodScout’s analysis, the violent crime rate in Memphis was one of the highest across communities of all sizes, with a person’s chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime being one in 41.
Historically, Memphis has struggled with high crime rates. In the early 2000s, the city was frequently ranked as one of the most dangerous in the nation, leading in violent crimes among cities with significant populations. The trend of violent crimes had seen some decrease by 2009, with serious crimes dropping by over 10% from the previous year. However, crime in Memphis saw an uptick again in 2005 and the first half of 2006, with significant increases in business robberies, individual robberies, and homicides. The Memphis Police Department responded with initiatives like Operation Blue C.R.U.S.H. (Crime Reduction Using Statistical History) to target crime hotspots and repeat offenders. Despite these efforts, Memphis recorded the highest number of homicides in its history in 2023, with 397 homicides.
These statistics highlight the ongoing challenge Memphis faces in combating crime and ensuring the safety of its residents.
Democrat Run Cities Have This Same Problem Nation-wide
A study finds the 5 most dangerous cities due to violent crime in the US are: 1. Detroit 2. Baltimore 3. St. Louis 4. Oakland 5. Memphis Each of these cities has long been ran by Democrats, with them having been ran on average for 54 straight years by Democrats. Since Democrats can’t get a handle on crime, in many cases promoting it, radical leftist Ben Crump is suggesting the term “crime” be redefined to ignore actual crime. It’s the same concept as The Purge movie, where even though murders skyrocket during the purge, there’s technically 0 murders by definition. Democrats aren’t a serious party. – Truth Tsar