Crime has reduced in the city this year compared to last year as city officials reported that crime in Downtown Memphis is down by a total of 26.4 percent, while citywide crime is down by 13.8 percent.
“The work is working,” they said.
The city released key metrics to understanding public safety Downtown. The report highlighted a reduction in crime on multiple fronts including both citywide and Downtown violent crime and motor vehicle theft.
Officials made special note of incidents around the FedExForum, specifically during certain “crime periods.” For October 2024, 306 incidents occurred in the area; 121 of these incidents were within half a mile of the venue. Of the incidents, 103 were assaults and 90 were thefts. Law enforcement was able to make 31 arrests.
Compared to September, there were 296 incidents reported in total, with 132 happening within half a mile of the vicinity. Once again, assaults accounted for a majority of these crimes (105), with thefts making up the second largest category (95). Officials reported 25 arrests.
The city reported that there were a total of 4,728 incidents at the FedExForum in total for full year metrics, which resulted in 525 arrests. Eleven percent of the incidents reported led to arrests. For comparison, only two other markets saw higher arrest rates: Orlando (28 percent) and Dallas (23 percent).
Officials noted that there were eight markets reporting higher crime metrics, including Nashville, New Orleans, Detroit, and Orlando.
These numbers also showed there were 56 shootings Downtown. Markets such as Milwaukee, Atlanta, Nashville, and New Orleans also reported higher numbers in this area.
To explain these numbers, officials said that more people contribute to less crime, while less blight also plays a factor. They cited the “eyes on the street effect” as a way to explain this.
“High foot traffic can also deter crime by creating a sense of visibility and making it harder for criminals to operate without being noticed by potential witnesses,” the report said.
They added that “violent crime and property crime drop in areas where blight is remediated.”
One of the ways that the city has been able to improve in crime tracking and prevention is by Smart City Plan recommendations from 2021, which included artificial intelligence for video, increased of staffing capacity for technology, converting streetlights to LED, and more.
Officials are currently in the process of enacting “equitable digital access” which is a “public-private partnership” between Blue Suede Networks and the city of Memphis to become a model for “future readiness and inclusive connectivity.” This initiative will enhance internet connectivity, support AI camera footage transmission, and provide 10,000 fiber outlets across the city of Memphis for Smart City-related projects.
The report also provided updates on the Downtown command center with a phase timeline from October 31st to April 2025. They added that this is a tentative schedule.
“The goal is to tackle violence reduction and improve the communities most disproportionately affected by crime,” the report explained.
The 25,000-square-foot building will be located at 250 Peabody Place with four monitoring stations, a restroom, conference room, situation room, and front information desk.
One Memphis Police Department (MPD) liaison will be assigned for each shift to coordinate responses to “Downtown specific issues.” There will also be a “special event section” for MPD staff to be deployed to for events such as games, races, and festivals.
As a result of this, the city plans to increase staffing by 24 people to a total of 54. They also plan to have assigned motorcycle units while also expanding MPD’s patrol radius.
Gun detection canines will also be assigned to the area during its “most populated times.”
“This initiative will serve as a deterrent to guns entering the ‘no-firearms areas’ of Downtown,” the report said.