Weekly Update:

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Friends,

 

We talked last week about the residents of the Cottonwood Apartments and the havoc Mother Nature unleashed on many of their homes. As this email goes out to you this afternoon, know that we are continuing to do all we can to help ease the burden thrust upon our neighbors through no fault of their own.

 

Over the last twelve days, the City, the Red Cross, Shelby County, Latino Memphis, MLGW, Shelby County Schools and many others have met daily to give status updates and provide solutions to the problems of the day. Issues ranged from providing short and long-term housing solutions, transportation, moving assistance, counseling sessions, meals, and simply just lending a helping hand to a person in need.

 

The overwhelming generosity of our people never ceases to amaze me. The property owner and property managers of the Cottonwood Apartments, as well as the construction company performing the work, have been nothing short of amazing through this terrible situation. They’ve been at every meeting, and have been caring and compassionate toward the residents that live in their complex.

 

At our evening briefing this past Friday, the property owner said (and I’m paraphrasing here) “As a life-long Memphian, I’m extremely moved and proud of the response from the City and every other organization that is involved with us to help get this resolved as quickly as possible.” The project manager from the construction company also commented saying “we’ve done work all over the country in disaster situations, and we’ve have never witnessed anything like this type of community response”.

 

I’m telling you about this not to pat ourselves on the back or because our work is complete. I’m telling you because I think it’s important you know it.

 

We are not perfect. We have our flaws just like every other community across the country. But when it truly matters, Memphians step up. We answer that call and come together to get the job done.

 

I’m proud every day to have the opportunity to serve as mayor of Memphis, and working through this over the last two weeks, has made me even more so.

 

It’s all about the numbers: When we came into office in 2016, I said we were going to run a government based on data, and we would be extremely transparent with you about that data. We’ve done that. We’ve even be recognized for it nationally, and now we’re doing even more.

 

Earlier this week, we rolled out the new and improved Memphis Data Hub. You can see how we’re doing across all areas of City government, check on code violations, view crime data, capital projects, and much, much more. It’s a living, breathing site and more data will be added over time. If you get chance, check it out and let us know your thoughts.

 

Let your voice be heard:  This is something most of you are probably unaware of, but the City of Memphis has been under a court-ordered Consent Decree since 1978. 

 

Under this decree, MPD’s ability to use modern technology to fight crime can be severely restricted. The Consent Decree was signed long before the Internet, social media, and other modern technology became a routine part of our daily lives. 

 

In addition to limiting MPD’s use of technology in fighting crime, it also may restrict MPD’s ability to coordinate with other agencies in providing public safety, like the Multiagency Gang Unit. To put it in more every day terms—it may restrict the use of Sky Cops, traffic cameras, interstate cameras and publicly available social media post which may provide a warning of a public safety threat.

 

Next week, on Nov. 7, there will be a community meeting related to the 1978 Consent Decree. The meeting will be held at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

 

The purpose for this meeting is for you to give your thoughts about the decree and its impact on our community. If you are concerned about your neighborhood receiving a Sky Cop or your child’s school having traffic camera and license plate readers, please don’t miss this meeting.

 

Visions of Lee Corso wearing a Pouncer head: Tomorrow is the big day, and let me tell you, I’m pretty pumped for it.

 

Why is it a big deal?

 

Memphis (our city and the university) will have the chance to shine in front of the roughly four million people who tune in to watch ESPN’s College GameDay each Saturday during college football season.

 

Think about it from a tourism standpoint—people who are not from Memphis watching Memphis in their homes and all the great things our city has to offer.

 

For the Tigers—we all know they’re great and love the team, but think about all the future recruits who watch the show and might be on the fence about coming to Memphis. It further promotes the program and shows the viewers what a great “college city” we are.

 

Finally, a ton of behind-the-scenes work has been happening this week to make sure the show goes off without a hitch. Many thanks to everyone with the U of M, MPD, MLGW, Downtown Memphis Commission, Beale Street Merchants Association, Memphis and Shelby County Film Commission, the Grizzlies, FedEx Forum, the City’s Division of Engineering, and our COO’s office for working so hard to make this happen.

 

gameday

 

Go Tigers Go!!!

 

Yours,

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