Weekly Update

Friends,

 

In the words of Yogi Berra, “it’s like déjà vu all over again”. I’m referring to our challenge with state laws governing sentencing for aggravated assaults. It’s a challenge because current law does not adequately punish gun crimes, and these aggravated assaults are the biggest drivers of our violent crime rate.

 

Here is just one (prominent) example of why this is so difficult to combat—the story of the man wanted for the murder of the recently slain Memphis rapper, Young Dolph.

 

In 2017, Justin Johnson was involved in an altercation at a bowling alley. He went out to a car in the parking lot, got a gun and fired several times inside the building. He injured four people and later plead guilty to aggravated assault. He only served six months. Fast-forward today, and he’s wanted for murder.

 

Over the last several months, I’ve written many times about the revolving door that has become our criminal justice system. As a reminder, current state law does not require any prison time for shooting a gun at another person, which is an aggravated assault. In fact, it is presumed the guilty person should get probation.

 

It’s heartbreaking for the families and friends involved and frustrating for the men and women of MPD who work tirelessly to keep us safe and solve crimes only to see the person they’ve recently apprehended shortly thereafter back out on the streets committing the same crimes, or worse—more severe offenses.

 

It’s time to put a stop to these types of stories, but in order to do that, we need reforms at the state level. One of our top legislative priorities has been and continues to be finding a workable solution to these laws so that, if a person commits a violent crime, they are not back out in a few weeks or months doing the same things again. Stay tuned for more details as we work this year’s legislative session.

 

“It ain’t over till it’s over”: The title says it all.

• Hospitalizations up 400% in 30 days
• ICUs up 250% in 30 days
• 163 deaths in December
• 1,795 deaths in 2021

Almost all of this is preventable with vaccines and a booster. If you need to get your vaccine, your booster or a test, please go here.

 

Vaccines work, and boosters work even better. Check out the current COVID-19 data from Baptist Hospital:

 

Hospitalizations

Not vaccinated                     84.75%

Vaccinated, no booster       14.35%

Boosted                                 0.90%

 

ICU

Not vaccinated                     88.57%

Vaccinated, no booster       11.43%

Boosted                                0.00%

 

Vote early and vote often: We already know he is, but now is the time to show your support for Ja Morant as an NBA All-Star.

 

Voting is open now until January 22, 2022 (midnight ET), and you can vote every day voting is live.

 

Go here to cast your vote and show your support.

 

“If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be”—

 

 

With so many other complicated things happening, it’s easy to miss the simplest things in life—taking a breath, getting out of bed in the morning, or taking the time to watch a beautiful sunset at the end of long day.

 

The photo above was taken earlier this week from my office on the 7^th floor of City Hall. I know we all lead busy and sometimes complicated lives, but take time to slow down, appreciate the small things, and remember, tomorrow is a new day.

 

Have great weekend!

 

Yours,