FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 12/3/2009) Mayor A C Wharton heard from another Memphis neighborhood about fighting crime Thursday night. But instead of just complaining about it, these neighbors in Midtown say they have solutions that are working.
The Union Avenue precinct has seen a double digit drop in crime stats.
Dozens packed the Midtown Church of Christ Thursday night for the monthly Midtown Security Community Meeting. Mayor Wharton was the guest speaker.
Greer and Carol Richardson attended the meeting with something they haven't had in awhile: Hope.
"We had jewelry and electronics, this that and the other stolen," said Greer Richardson.
He hopes that the new mayor's plan to fight crime works.
"We have let a few, hold us all hostage," said Mayor Wharton.
He says he'll go before the city council to ask for more officers on the streets.
"It does matter, visiblity pays off, you ask anybody that, they did it that way in New York," he said.
Mayor Wharton also wants to add more security cameras across the city and he urges neighbors to keep doing what's working in Midtown. To be nosy, involved and organized.
"If you park in my neighborhood, and you're there more than 15 minutes and I don't see you, theres going to be a call that goes in, it just makes sense," he said.
Just last week, he says a major employer told him it's ready to pack up and leave. Not because of the workforce, lack of resources, or high taxes, but because of the crime.
"You talk about jobs, you gotta talk about safety first," he said.
But he credits the Midtown Security Community, its blog, precinct updates and monthly meetings as part of the solution.
"Everyone owns this problem , and we can make it better," said Peggy Williamson, Chair of the Midtown Security Community.
"The other areas in Midtown are trying so hard to help," said Richardson.
They say it's an uphill battle, but they're optimistic.
Mayor Wharton also promsied to tackle blight, that includes cleaning up thousands of vacant lots owned by both the county and the city.
If you'd like to attend the next Midtown Security Community meeting, go to: http://midtownsecurity.blogspot.com/
- Mayor A C Wharton lays out his crime plan
- Union Precinct shows double digit percentage drop in crime
- Home burglaries, auto break-ins biggest problem in Midtown
(Memphis 12/3/2009) Mayor A C Wharton heard from another Memphis neighborhood about fighting crime Thursday night. But instead of just complaining about it, these neighbors in Midtown say they have solutions that are working.
The Union Avenue precinct has seen a double digit drop in crime stats.
Dozens packed the Midtown Church of Christ Thursday night for the monthly Midtown Security Community Meeting. Mayor Wharton was the guest speaker.
Greer and Carol Richardson attended the meeting with something they haven't had in awhile: Hope.
"We had jewelry and electronics, this that and the other stolen," said Greer Richardson.
He hopes that the new mayor's plan to fight crime works.
"We have let a few, hold us all hostage," said Mayor Wharton.
He says he'll go before the city council to ask for more officers on the streets.
"It does matter, visiblity pays off, you ask anybody that, they did it that way in New York," he said.
Mayor Wharton also wants to add more security cameras across the city and he urges neighbors to keep doing what's working in Midtown. To be nosy, involved and organized.
"If you park in my neighborhood, and you're there more than 15 minutes and I don't see you, theres going to be a call that goes in, it just makes sense," he said.
Just last week, he says a major employer told him it's ready to pack up and leave. Not because of the workforce, lack of resources, or high taxes, but because of the crime.
"You talk about jobs, you gotta talk about safety first," he said.
But he credits the Midtown Security Community, its blog, precinct updates and monthly meetings as part of the solution.
"Everyone owns this problem , and we can make it better," said Peggy Williamson, Chair of the Midtown Security Community.
"The other areas in Midtown are trying so hard to help," said Richardson.
They say it's an uphill battle, but they're optimistic.
Mayor Wharton also promsied to tackle blight, that includes cleaning up thousands of vacant lots owned by both the county and the city.
If you'd like to attend the next Midtown Security Community meeting, go to: http://midtownsecurity.blogspot.com/
