FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 8/25/2009) A crowd of residents with the Midtown Security Community gathered Tuesday night and discovered crime is down in their neighborhood by 12 percent.
Memphis Police revealed the year-to-date statistic at the group's monthly meeting. They say that figure means 589 fewer crime victims in their neighborhood this year compared to last year.
"Our number one crime in Midtown is Larceny from vehicles," said Major Terry Landrum of the Memphis Police Department.
He says the double digit drop in his precinct has a lot do with the residents.
"We have strong neighborhood associations, they don't hesitate to call us," he said.
In fact, the success is inspiring other neighborhoods to join Midtowners tonight to learn about what's working.
"We get to exchange ideas, we get to see what crimes are in their neighborhoods so we can know what to expect coming toward ours," said Carol Collinsworth, President of the Joffre Neighborhood Association.
Major Landrum says police are pinpointing crime hotspots and running details. He even put a few faces on display of recent arrests. Jeremy Thomas, Desmond Parker and Eric Ragland are all accused of running a robbery ring, hitting businesses like Radio Shack and Mapco.
Proof that winning the battle against crime is possible, he says, if people are willing to do their part.
"We're excited, if we can just just keep them in jail, we're doing our part calling the police, they're doing their part catching them," said Collinsworth.
- Crime in Midtown is down 12 percent this year, compared to last year
- Comparing August 2008 to August 2009, it's down 17 percent so far
- Police say neighborhood watch groups play a big role
(Memphis 8/25/2009) A crowd of residents with the Midtown Security Community gathered Tuesday night and discovered crime is down in their neighborhood by 12 percent.
Memphis Police revealed the year-to-date statistic at the group's monthly meeting. They say that figure means 589 fewer crime victims in their neighborhood this year compared to last year.
"Our number one crime in Midtown is Larceny from vehicles," said Major Terry Landrum of the Memphis Police Department.
He says the double digit drop in his precinct has a lot do with the residents.
"We have strong neighborhood associations, they don't hesitate to call us," he said.
In fact, the success is inspiring other neighborhoods to join Midtowners tonight to learn about what's working.
"We get to exchange ideas, we get to see what crimes are in their neighborhoods so we can know what to expect coming toward ours," said Carol Collinsworth, President of the Joffre Neighborhood Association.
Major Landrum says police are pinpointing crime hotspots and running details. He even put a few faces on display of recent arrests. Jeremy Thomas, Desmond Parker and Eric Ragland are all accused of running a robbery ring, hitting businesses like Radio Shack and Mapco.
Proof that winning the battle against crime is possible, he says, if people are willing to do their part.
"We're excited, if we can just just keep them in jail, we're doing our part calling the police, they're doing their part catching them," said Collinsworth.
