Tag: News Blog

Categories
News News Blog

Protesters Expose MPD’s “Bad Apples”

Louis Goggans

A woman holds a sign displaying several Memphis Police officers who have been arrested since 2014 at the intersection of Lamar and Airways.

Cars driving through the intersection of Lamar and Airways during rush hour Wednesday were greeted by protesters holding signs that read “#Bad Apples,” “Demand Oversight of the Police,” “We Don’t Need Seedy Police,” and “Protect Us, Don’t Kill Us.”

The protesters were participants of “Bad Apples? FixTheBarrel,” a rally for stronger civilian oversight of police. If passed, an amended version of the city’s Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) ordinance would help accomplish this goal.

The amended ordinance would provide CLERB with the power to subpoena documents and police witnesses, investigate complaints concurrently with Memphis Internal Affairs, and make disciplinary recommendations to the Memphis Police director, among other authoritative acts. It’s slated to be heard by City Council’s Personnel Committee next Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.

LG

Memphis United, a coalition of local grassroots organizations and residents against structural and institutional racism, spearheaded the gathering Wednesday.The event’s theme was inspired by the 20 Memphis Police officers, referred to as “bad apples” by the protesters, who were reportedly arrested between March 2nd, 2014 and March 2nd, 2015.

Around a dozen protesters walked along the sidewalk in front of the Walgreens at 1489 Airways Blvd. while several others stood across the street under a Blue Crush SkyCop.

The diverse collective chanted, “What’s done in the dark will be brought to light! Memphis needs police oversight!” and “Up! Up! With accountability! Down! Down! With police brutality!”

A multitude of drivers honked their horns and lifted fist in support of the movement as they cruised by. 

LG

“If we’ve had 20 officers arrested in a year, that’s almost two a month,” said Paul Garner, organizing coordinator for the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, during the protest. “I think that points to a systemic problem. Because there’s such an outcry from the community, we need to look at systemic solutions. That’s kind of where our whole ‘fix the barrel’ theme comes from. If we want to have good apples in our barrel, we need to look at ways to improve the way we hold law enforcement accountable. There needs to be a system in place where when people file complaints, it’s tracked and available to the public, so that we catch these things before something serious happens.”

 Read next week’s issue of the Flyer for more information on Memphis Police officer arrests and CLERB.

Categories
News News Blog

New Database Reveals Alarming Clearance Rates for Memphis Crime

CREDIT: NPR

NPR

Violent crime stats and clearance rates for Memphis between 2011 and 2013.


A new database created by National Public Radio (NPR) allows people to view the percentage of crime that has been solved by local law enforcement from 2011 through 2013.

Compiled using statistics submitted to the FBI’s “Uniform Crime Report,” the tool allows a person to enter a city, county, agency, or state into a search bar and see both the violent crime and property crime that occurred in the requested area. By doing so, people are also able to view the amount of crimes that were cleared by law enforcement.

According to the FBI, a variety of instances can result in the clearance of a crime, including a person being arrested, charged, identified as a culprit, or when an alleged offender dies. 

When a person types Memphis into the NPR’s database search bar, they may be alarmed at the number of crimes committed that are actually not cleared. 

In 2011, there were 10,309 violent crimes (murder, manslaughter, robbery, and aggravated assault) committed in Memphis. Of that number, 40 percent were cleared.

The clearance for violent crime declined for the following two years. 

In 2012,  there were 11,390 violent crimes with a 32 percent clearance rate. And in 2013, there were 10,833 violent crimes; 28 percent were cleared. 

NPR

Property crime stats and clearance rates for Memphis.


For property crime (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson), the clearance rate was even more alarming. 

In 2011, there were 42,720 property crime offenses reported in Memphis. Only 13 percent were cleared. 

The following year, the number of property crimes decreased but so did the clearance rate. There were 41,965 acts of property crime; 12 percent were cleared by law enforcement. 

For 2013, however, property crime went down but the percentage of solved cases increased. There were 40,242 acts of property crime, of which 14 percent were cleared. 

An in-depth crime report of Memphis and any other jurisdiction in the nation can be viewed here.

Categories
News News Blog

7 Arrested in West Tennessee on Federal Drug Charges

After a year-long investigation, law enforcement arrested seven Dyer County residents on federal drug trafficking charges this morning.

The charges stem from the defendants’ alleged participation in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute ice and methamphetamine.

The seven individuals apprehended during the early morning round-up include: 

•Miracle Pounds, 36, of Dyer County (already in state custody)
•Brian Whitt, 37, of Dyer County
•Robert Troy Anderson, 48, of Dyer County
•Christopher Dean, 40, of Dyer County (already in state custody)
•Amy Junior, 42, of Dyer County
•Nicholas Patterson, 42, of Dyer County
•Jonathan Murphy, 37, of Dyer County (already in state custody)

During the year-long investigation, law enforcement seized illicit narcotics, U.S. currency, firearms, and drug paraphernalia.

“Over the last several years, we have seen an increase in the number of cases involving ice, a highly toxic and dangerous substance,” said U.S. Attorney Edward Stanton in a statement. “Ingestion of ice, which is methamphetamine with at least 80% purity, and crystal meth causes profound and almost immediate physical, mental and emotional consequences, while the production process can also be deadly. This case demonstrates our commitment to ridding West Tennessee of this menace.”

A task force composed of agents from the DEA, FBI, and U.S. Marshals Service, and law enforcement officials with the Dyer County Sheriff’s Department, Dyersburg Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Highway Patrol made the arrests. 

Illegal drug distribution appears to be a growing issue in Dyer County. 

In January, 13 Dyer County residents were indicted on federal drug trafficking violations. The indictments stem from the selling, manufacturing, and distributing of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, as well as the unlawful possession of ammunition by convicted felons.

Categories
News News Blog

U of M Has Lowest Crime Rate of Large Schools in Tennessee

New Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) data reveals that the University of Memphis (U of M) has the lowest crime rate of state schools boasting more than 5,000 students.

According to the TBI’s 2014 “Crime on Campus” report, the U of M had an incident rate of 14.6 offenses per 1,000 people. However, the average for Tennessee’s 10 largest institutions was 24.7 incidents per 1,000 people.

East Tennessee State University is the only other large institution that had a crime rate lower than 20 offenses per 1,000 people.

This the second consecutive year the U of M has had the lowest crime rate of the state’s largest colleges and universities.

Larceny/theft was the most common offense committed on U of M’s campus. According to the TBI’s report, there were 160 occurrences of larceny/theft last year. Only 13 people accused of committing an offense within the category were cleared of their alleged illegal act.

Shoplifting, pocket-picking, and theft of building, motor vehicle, or motor vehicle parts are all offenses categorized as larceny/theft in the report.

U of M isn’t the only school impacted by larceny/theft. Thirty-two percent of all 2014 offenses reported by Tennessee colleges and universities were categorized as larceny/theft. 

Crime reported by Tennessee colleges and universities collectively decreased by 6.3 percent in 2014. There were 6,329 offenses reported last year. But in 2013, there were 6,752 offenses reported.

The Crime on Campus report was compiled using data submitted to TBI’s Tennessee Incident Based Reporting System (TIBRS) program.

Categories
News News Blog

Four Shelby County Jailers Face 20 Years for Smuggling OxyContin

CREDIT: Louis Goggans

Four Shelby County Corrections Deputies are facing up to 20 years in federal prison for attempting to smuggle OxyContin into the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar.

Louis Goggans

U.S. Attorney Edward Stanton discusses federal indictment of four jailers.

The four defendants are Anthony Thomas, 27; Marcus Green, 33; Brian Grammer, 35; and Torriano Vaughn, 28.

All four men were indicted last week.

A press conference was held at the U.S. Attorney’s office Monday regarding the federal indictments. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Edward Stanton, Shelby County Sheriff Bill Oldham, Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Todd McCall were all in attendance to discuss the jailers’ illicit endeavors.

During the press conference, it was disclosed that an undercover operation was arranged by the FBI’s Tarnished Badge Task Force in July 2014. The effort involved “cooperating” inmates who requested for the defendants to smuggle OxyContin, a narcotic pain reliever, in exchange for cash payments from a third party outside of the jail.

Cooperators would give the defendants the name of an individual, who they would meet up with at various locations throughout Memphis. The individual would provide presumed OxyContin pills (actually placebos) and cash to the defendants. Subsequently, the prescription pills would be smuggled into the county jail and provided to the cooperating inmates.

After transactions were completed, the cooperators would turn the pills over to law enforcement.

When asked if there were potentially more jailers smuggling contraband for inmates, Shelby County Sheriff Oldham said, ‘You always have that possibility.’

“One of the things we’re going to continue to do is be as vigilant as we can, using all of the resources that we have to prevent that from occurring,” Oldham said. “And when it does occur, to make sure that those individuals are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

U.S. Attorney Stanton said the investigation is another example of the uptick law enforcement has seen with the demand for and addiction of prescription drugs.

“These four individuals, they were sworn to uphold the law and protect contraband from coming in,” Stanton said. “And, as the indictment alleges, they were simply drug dealers looking to make extra cash by bringing drugs into 201 Poplar — the same place they took an oath to protect contraband from coming in.”

If convicted, all four defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole. 

The case was investigated by the Tarnished Badge Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Memphis Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Categories
News News Blog

Rape Kit Backlog Continues to Decline

The amount of untested rape kits in Memphis continues to decline.

During the Memphis City Council’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee meeting Tuesday, it was revealed that 300 additional rape kits have been tested since last month.

Presently, 5,686 rape kits have received analysis or are at the forensic laboratory awaiting analysis. But another 5,846 kits remain untested. An additional 1,142 have been processed for serology (evidence of bodily fluids), but haven’t been sent off to a laboratory for DNA analysis. 

The Memphis Police Department (MPD) discovered 12,374 untested rape kits in late 2013 and early 2014. The sexual assault kits were reportedly taken as far back as 1975. 

The latest rape kit stats are below:

• 12,374 total rape kits discovered untested in 2013/2014

• 5,546 kits untested by end of February 2015

• 2,275 kits at forensic laboratories now

• 1,142 processed for at least serology

• 2,122 negative for serology

• 1,289 processed for DNA

• 375 investigations have been initiated

• 108 investigations remain active

• 267 investigations have been closed

• 36 individuals identified as being previously convicted

• 72 indictments issued

• 35 named suspects (20 multi-case suspects)

• 37 John Does (unidentified)

• 33 victims/suspects are deceased

• 39 victims declined to participate in an investigation

• 6 victims were unable to be located by law enforcement

• 54 cases were past the statute of limitations

• 23 cases had insufficient/degraded DNA

• 3 cases investigated did not meet the statute definitions of a crime

• 2 cases involved consensual partners

Categories
News News Blog

New Plan Seeks to Ensure 80 Percent of SCS Students Graduate College- or Career-Ready

CREDIT: Louis Goggans

Louis Goggans

Superintendent Dorsey Hopson talks about ‘Destination 2025’ at Cummings School.

If a new strategic plan is successfully implemented, 80 percent of Shelby County Schools (SCS) students will graduate prepared for college and careers by 2025. 

A celebration for “Destination 2025” took place this morning in the auditorium of Cummings School in South Memphis. The Overton High School show choir, Whitehaven High School marching band, along with Grizz, the Memphis Grizzlies mascot, kept the crowd entertained with performances. 

In addition to making sure 80 percent of current students are college- or career-ready, Destination 2025 seeks to ensure 90 percent of SCS students will graduate on time, and 100 percent of college- or career-ready graduates will enroll in a post-secondary opportunity.

SCS has identified five priorities that will help accomplish its 2025 goal: strengthen early literacy; improve post-secondary readiness; develop teachers, leaders and central office support to drive student success; expand high quality school options; and mobilize family and community partners.

“This work is so important to me because I believe that education is a great equalizer,” said SCS Superintendent Dorsey Hopson. “It’s a game-changer. Nelson Mandela said, ‘Education is the greatest weapon you can use to change the world.’ We’re going to change the lives and trajectory of folks in Memphis when we get this done. I have no doubt. It’s also important to me because I have a daughter who is [in the] class of 2025, so when she walks across the stage with these beautiful babies out here, we’re going to be able to say, ‘We got this done. We changed lives, and we changed the community.’”

For more information on Destination 2025, read next week’s issue of the Memphis Flyer.

Categories
News News Blog

25 Historically Black Colleges and Universities to Participate in Mobile College Fair

Tennessee State, Florida A&M, Tuskegee, and Grambling State are only a handful of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) traveling to Memphis in March to recruit local high school students.

From March 3rd through the 6th, representatives from 25 HBCUs within the Southern region will meet with Shelby County Schools (SCS) juniors and seniors during a four-day mobile college fair. The HBCU Awareness Foundation, along with SchoolSeed, is presenting the fair.

Ten high schools are being targeted for the fair. Students who are interested in post-secondary education will have the chance to meet with various HBCUs and potentially be admitted on-site to their institution.

Traditional college fairs require students to travel to a particular venue to receive assistance from college representatives. But with the mobile tour, students will enjoy the comfort of HBCUs coming to them.

Things will kick off on March 3rd at both Central and Booker T. Washington. Students will get a chance to sit down and talk with HBCU representatives about college, share any questions or concerns, have their transcript reviewed, and be potentially recruited.

The following day (March 4th), students from Douglas, Craigmont, and Kingsbury High Schools will get their  chance to speak with the college representatives. High schoolers at both Kirby and Southwind will talk with representatives from the various HBCUs on March 5th. 

On the evening of March 5th, a college fair open to the public will take place at Oak Court Mall. From 5:30 to 8 p.m., HBCU recruiters will meet and talk to Memphians about college and assist them with any inquiries.

The four-day college fair will culminate on March 6th. Students interested in higher education at Whitehaven, Oakhaven, and East High will get the opportunity to speak with college representatives and possibly be admitted to a HBCU.

“HBCUs have produced some stellar individuals,” said Corey Allen, founder of the HBCU Awareness Foundation, in a statement. “Common, who recently won an Academy Award, is a graduate of Florida A&M. Oprah Winfrey is a graduate of Tennessee State. The next Thurgood Marshall could emerge from this opportunity. My overall goal is to increase awareness of HBCUs and to also provide additional options for selecting a college.”

Aside from Tennessee State, Tuskegee, Florida A&M, and Grambling State, other HBCUs participating in the college fair include: Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Claflin State University, Dillard University, Fort Valley State University, Jackson State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Lincoln (MO) University, Mississippi Valley State University, Philander Smith University, Rust College, Southern University, Tennessee State University, Tougaloo College, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Wilberforce University.

Additional sponsors of the college fair are Leadership Memphis, SCS, and Streets Ministries. 

Categories
News News Blog

South Memphis “Safe House” to Serve as Alternative to Gang Activity

CREDIT: Louis Goggans

Louis Goggans

Clark ‘Preacha’ Chambers details forthcoming ‘Safe House’ in South Memphis.

An area of South Memphis identified as territory of the Riverside Rollin’ 90’s Crips will soon boast a facility that provides at-risk youth with alternatives to gang activity. 

During a press conference held at the Riverview Community Center today, establishment of the city’s first-ever “Safe House” was announced. 

The nearly 3,000 square-foot building will serve as a resource center for youth. It will boast computer workstations, a music room, reading area, along with meeting and office space. Youth will also be able to receive mentorship and apply for scholarship programs. It’ll reportedly operate 24 hours a day. 

The Safe House will be located on Florida Street, one of the areas included in a “Safety Zone” declared by the Multi-Agency Gang Unit within South Memphis’ Riverside community in September 2013. It’s the first of several safe houses that the Bikers and Social Clubs 4 Change (BSC4C) hope to establish in disadvantaged communities throughout the city. 

“We’re tired of our people dying before they get a chance [to live] and not thinking outside of the box,” said Clark “Preacha” Chambers of BSC4C. “[They’re] thinking they’re bound to the cycles that exist in our communities. With these safe houses, they’ll have the opportunity to think more outside the box and turn away from crime.”

Construction of the Safe House on Florida Street is projected to cost $560,000. BSC4C plans to raise the bulk of that money through private donations, along with its upcoming Memphis Bike Fest. The five-day event takes place July 22nd-26th at Tiger Lane and areas surrounding the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. 

The organization plans to establish additional Safe Houses in the Frayser, New Chicago, Smokey City and Lauderdale Courts communities. 

Read the Memphis Flyer next week for more information on the forthcoming Safe House in South Memphis.

Categories
News News Blog

Blueprint for Safety Initiative Seeks to Combat Domestic Violence

CREDIT: Louis Goggans

Louis Goggans

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell discusses the Blueprint for Safety initiative.


The city’s frigid temperature didn’t hinder a medium-sized crowd from attending the launch of a new comprehensive response to domestic violence at the Urban Child Institute (UCI) today.

After a three-year planning stage, Shelby County’s “Blueprint for Safety” initiative was introduced during a Thursday morning news conference. The initiative seeks to enhance services provided by 911 dispatchers, law enforcement, and victim/witness services to domestic violence victims. The Blueprint for Safety will also strengthen the rehabilitative efforts provided to offenders by the city’s domestic violence court, pretrial services, and probation.

Stakeholders for the initiative include city and county governments, local law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District’s office, the Shelby County District Attorney General’s office, General Sessions Division 10, the Family Safety Center, and other non-profit agencies.

Representatives from several of the aforementioned entities took turns speaking at a podium about their role in the initiative and the adverse circumstances of domestic violence.

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell said one of Blueprint for Safety’s main goals is to enlighten the public on the frequency of domestic violence cases locally.

“We have some 8,000 domestic violence cases here in the local area annually,” Luttrell said. “This blueprint helps us to differentiate the cases and the elevated risk and work collectively with all of the service providers as we try to focus on the plight of the victim. What I particularly appreciate about this plan is how it pulls together the dispatchers, law enforcement officers, the firefighters, and correctional officers in our jails and prisons. It brings all of the players that are involved in touching the elements of crime together for kind purpose.”

The Blueprint for Safety initiative is being funded by a $300,000 federal grant administered through the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women.

Memphis is the fourth city to adopt the DOJ’s Blueprint for Safety model. The initiative is already being implemented in both St. Paul and Duluth, Minnesota as well as New Orleans, Louisiana.

For more information on the Blueprint for Safety initiative, read next week’s issue of the Memphis Flyer.