Weekly Update

Friends, 

Yesterday, District Attorney Mulroy held a meeting with multiple people involved in our collective attempt to reduce crime in our community. The meeting was held to help choose a few issues to prioritize over the next year. Chief Davis and I attended.

Most of the recommendations that came from the meeting yesterday dealt with helping our youth to avoid breaking the law in the first place and to keep those who have broken the law already from repeating those actions. All good ideas.  In fact, I not only support those efforts, but many of them are already currently underway and performed by city government. Over the last nearly eight years, we have greatly increased opportunities in those areas and support expansion of those activities by other entities.

There is, however, a fundamental difference of opinion on punishments for violent crime, theft of motor vehicle, and theft from motor vehicle. As I have said many times, city government has zero tolerance for violent crime, and we believe stronger punishment and interventions are needed for those stealing and breaking into cars. 

Here is another example of the Revolving Door. 

On April 4, 2019, with another person, MP tried to break into the front door of a home, both armed with guns. The family who lived in the house was home, barred the door, and prevented entry. After the attempt was not successful, they fired shots into the family’s car parked outside. The perpetrator was charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

On January 9, 2021, while on bond for the above crime 21 months earlier, MP used a Draco style rifle and carjacked a woman.

On January 9, 2023, MP pled guilty to the lesser offense of criminal attempt carjacking and was sentenced to eight years of probation—no prison. It appears that he would not have been eligible for probation had he been convicted of carjacking. In addition, his first charges from 2019 were dismissed by agreement.

On April 26, 2023, he broke out the rear windshield and shot the rear passenger door of a car parked in the driveway of a home. A warrant was issued for his arrest for vandalism and being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon. He was arrested after the incident in the next paragraph. His bond is set at $25,000.

On August 17, 2023, with four others, he broke into Buster’s Liquor Store by smashing a truck into the front doors and stealing liquor. He was caught nearby after a foot chase by responding officers and was carrying a handgun.  Bond is set at $10,000.

As you can see in the above examples, criminals understand there is too often little-to-no punishment. If we are going to make a meaningful reduction in these types of crimes, there must be change.

Special Session Wrap-up: As you may have heard, Governor Lee’s special called session of the legislature wrapped up earlier this week. While I am happy that millions were allocated across the state for mental health and enhanced safety funding for higher education institutions, I am disappointed that nothing was meaningfully done to address the proliferation of guns across our state.

Chase expands in Memphis: Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to participate in the ribbon cutting for Chase Bank. They have officially opened their doors to customers in Memphis at 557 S Highland St. and another in Germantown. They plan to have at least seven Chase branches in the Memphis region within the next two years.

These new branches will be staffed by 8-10 bankers who are from our community. Entry-level employees will be paid no less than $20 per hour. They will receive the firm’s full benefits package, which is valued at an average of $16,000 annually per employee in this pay range. It also includes health care coverage and retirement savings.

Thank you again to Chase for your investment and for choosing Memphis.

9.01 Day: If you didn’t know, today is 9.01 Day! For a full listing of fun ways to celebrate our city and our culture, go here.

Reminder: Tomorrow at Tom Lee Park, beginning at 11 a.m. don’t miss your first chance to experience the new park with a day (and weekend) full of fun, free, programs and activities. There will be great food and drinks, dancing, singing, cultural experiences and a full day of vibrant park life. For a full schedule and to RSVP, go here.

Enjoy your weekend!

Yours,