FAST FACTS:
Downtown one of safest areas of Memphis
Major complaints include aggressive panhandling and assaults
Police will walk beats, use scooters and bicycles to be more of a "street" presence
(MEMPHIS 7/22/2010) This is the city. Memphis, Tennessee. A medium sized city that sits smack in the middle of U.S.A. There are all sorts of people here. And most of them go to work, raise a family, and simply try to make ends meet. But there are some who, for one reason or another, decide that what's yours ought to be theirs. And they feel they have the right to take it. That's where I come in. I carry a microphone. I'm the Dog. The Watchdog.
It was Thursday, July 22, 2010. I was working the dayshift. We were told that Memphis Mayor A C Wharton had a major announcement concerning Downtown crime and how he was going to try and fight it. He was speaking at the Peabody Hotel. It was 11:52 a.m.
11:58a.m. My partner, Bobby Hayes drives us down Front Street, we take a right on Union Avenue and stop in front of the Peabody Hotel. A hotel that at one time was closed, and vacant. It sort of set the mood for Memphis in the 1970's. But once renovated and reopened, it showed that there still can be life in Downtown. Since it's reopening, Downtown has grown and improved.
We met Memphis Mayor A C Wharton in a hallway outside of the hotel's Grand Ballroom. "Mayor, can we talk for a minute? Just the facts please, Mayor, just the facts," I said. "Ok Dog," the Mayor responded. "I'm ready.
The Mayor talked about how Downtown isn't just an area for tourists now, as more and more people are living in the city. "Studies have been done," he said, "that show people feel safer with officers walking a beat. They like officers on the street level with the people. So that's what I want to do." "Do you mean to tell me that you think police walking around certain areas of downtown will help," I asked. "Yes," he replied. "Yes I do."
12:44p.m. Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin stepped in front of our camera. Again I told him I just want the facts. He agreed. "Look, our crime rate is dropping," the Director said. "We know that there is still a perception that Downtown is dangerous. We think this plan will help change things." "Now let me ask you something Director," I asked. "What about those people in East Memphis and Frayser, who say they need help fighting crime in their neighborhoods. What about them," I asked.
He didn't bat an eye. "Neighborhoods are different. Downtown is a smaller district, so it would be effective to use police officers on the streets. In areas of East Memphis and other places, neighborhoods are more spread out so patrol cars are still needed." We left. My work was done.
The plan will probably go into effect in the next few weeks. Officials are developing a schedule to determine when police need to be out walking the beat. I'll be watching. That's my job.
Downtown one of safest areas of Memphis
Major complaints include aggressive panhandling and assaults
Police will walk beats, use scooters and bicycles to be more of a "street" presence
(MEMPHIS 7/22/2010) This is the city. Memphis, Tennessee. A medium sized city that sits smack in the middle of U.S.A. There are all sorts of people here. And most of them go to work, raise a family, and simply try to make ends meet. But there are some who, for one reason or another, decide that what's yours ought to be theirs. And they feel they have the right to take it. That's where I come in. I carry a microphone. I'm the Dog. The Watchdog.
It was Thursday, July 22, 2010. I was working the dayshift. We were told that Memphis Mayor A C Wharton had a major announcement concerning Downtown crime and how he was going to try and fight it. He was speaking at the Peabody Hotel. It was 11:52 a.m.
11:58a.m. My partner, Bobby Hayes drives us down Front Street, we take a right on Union Avenue and stop in front of the Peabody Hotel. A hotel that at one time was closed, and vacant. It sort of set the mood for Memphis in the 1970's. But once renovated and reopened, it showed that there still can be life in Downtown. Since it's reopening, Downtown has grown and improved.
We met Memphis Mayor A C Wharton in a hallway outside of the hotel's Grand Ballroom. "Mayor, can we talk for a minute? Just the facts please, Mayor, just the facts," I said. "Ok Dog," the Mayor responded. "I'm ready.
The Mayor talked about how Downtown isn't just an area for tourists now, as more and more people are living in the city. "Studies have been done," he said, "that show people feel safer with officers walking a beat. They like officers on the street level with the people. So that's what I want to do." "Do you mean to tell me that you think police walking around certain areas of downtown will help," I asked. "Yes," he replied. "Yes I do."
12:44p.m. Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin stepped in front of our camera. Again I told him I just want the facts. He agreed. "Look, our crime rate is dropping," the Director said. "We know that there is still a perception that Downtown is dangerous. We think this plan will help change things." "Now let me ask you something Director," I asked. "What about those people in East Memphis and Frayser, who say they need help fighting crime in their neighborhoods. What about them," I asked.
He didn't bat an eye. "Neighborhoods are different. Downtown is a smaller district, so it would be effective to use police officers on the streets. In areas of East Memphis and other places, neighborhoods are more spread out so patrol cars are still needed." We left. My work was done.
The plan will probably go into effect in the next few weeks. Officials are developing a schedule to determine when police need to be out walking the beat. I'll be watching. That's my job.
