By Tony Jones
MEMPHIS, TN — “Crash and grab” has become the latest headline grabber driving the exploding crime rate in Memphis. Highlighted by brazen back to back commando-type raids at popular clothier City Gear, the latest phenomenon further tarnishes the city’s unfortunately escalating reputation as an out of control hell hole.
But perhaps even more shocking, before the latest criminal escapade footage hits the news, reports and video from the infamous Shelby County Jail often tops it. With the overhanging pall of the Tyre Nichols and Young Dolph murder trials underway, the schizophrenic nature of public safety and law enforcement in Memphis is driving an outcry wondering when and if they will return as a positive factor in the city’s life. The first response on the ubiquitous Google search engine states, “The most dangerous city in America is Memphis, Tennessee.” It may not be an inaccurate statement as the city searches for answers. Several statistical models all paint a bleak picture.
Preliminary data from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released by the University of Memphis Public Safety Institute and the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, reports a 6.4 percent increase in violent crime in Memphis and 5 percent increase in the county.
The Memphis and Shelby County Crime Commission’s landing page reports that from 2022 to 2023 the overall Shelby County crime rate has risen 13.8 percent, major violent crimes 4.9 percent, major property crime up 35.1 percent.
When you hit the View All Stats button, it reports, Overall Crime Rate at 17.4 percent, Violent Crime Rate 5.4 percent, Major Property Crime Rate 42.1 percent. A call for clarification was placed to the commission office, but no response was received by press time.
Stats from the Memphis Police Department’s Public Information Office reported in the Tribune’s Sept. 28, 2023 edition stated there have been 290 homicides as of Sept. 25th as compared to 213 at the same time last year.
The numbers may be confusing, but Mayor Paul Young says the message is clear and pledges a real crime abatement issue will be his number one priority.
Hit six times in one month, City Gear is owned by Hibbet Sports. According to Memphis Police, City Gear stores in Memphis were hit in 16 separate burglaries, 42 thefts, and one robbery in 2023.
Exasperated after thieves broke through concrete walls in broad daylight as they were under repair, VP Robby Bullington commented, “This is absolutely not sustainable for our stores in the Memphis area. We are desperate for help from local leaders and other outlets that can help us,”
But as sickening as many business owners woes have become, alleged taxpayer funded crime hurts worse. “Black America’s Attorney General” Ben Crump is representing the family of Gershun Freeman after video exposed a mob of deputies gang beating him, resulting in his death. Two weeks after an inmate was stabbed to death while in a holding facility waiting to go to court, Sheriff Floyd Bonner blamed labor shortage. “We have to make do with what we have,” he said.
