MEMPHIS, Tenn. — City leaders announced additional security measures along with a cover charge to keep Beale Street and the Downtown Entertainment District safe.
Thursday morning the President of the Downtown Memphis Comission, Mayor Jim Strickland, Interim Police Director Mike Rallings and the President of the Beale Street Merchants Association stood shoulder to shoulder, laying out an multi faceted plan.
They’re trying to fight back after three straight weekends of violent crime in the heart of Memphis’ so called safest neighborhood.
“This is a place for vibrancy, hanging out and having a good time but we also have to make sure we balance that with public safety,” said Terence Patterson, President of the Downtown Memphis Commission.
The plan has five points:
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The Shelby County Sheriff’s office will send 10-20 Deputies to the Beale Street area to supplement Memphis Police
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Create better visibility for MPD in key areas along the street that would allow better sight lines to see the crowds
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Station security teams along the fences and alleys where entrance points are currently being breached areas to reduce the number of underage individuals who are typically loitering on the street after their set curfew time
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Deploy security teams after 10 p.m. to check IDs, to enforce the existing curfew and to remove underage individuals from the street, who in particular are causing the overcrowding
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Initiate a “Beale Street Bucks” program starting at 10 p.m. on Saturday nights where guests to Beale Street would pay $10 to to receive a $7 merchant credit to be used for merchandise, food, beverage in any of the businesses along the street that night
Interim Police Director Mike Rallings then announced additional recommendations, including electronic scanning of the gates, issuing wristbands, strictly enforcing all laws and ordinances, implementing a strict gate count, no bottles on balconies and patios, stopping alcohol sales at 3 a.m., purchasing jersey-type barriers at traffic control points and purchasing crowd-counting technology.
“We are committed to make sure that our visitors and citizens can come and enjoy Downtown, enjoy Beale Street and be safe,” Rallings said.
As currently planned, the “Beale Street Bucks” program will run through August.
It is just on Saturdays for now but could potentially expand to other nights.
The $10 charge is cash only.
The $7 merchant credit, given in the form of a ticket, can be used to buy anything on Beale Street, from food to drinks to souvenirs, but it must be used that night.
Not everyone is welcoming the changes the Beale Street Development Corporation said only security needs to be beefed up.
They’re upset about Beale Street bucks paying and $10 to get on the street then getting a $7 voucher.
The executive director is threatening to sue the city because she’s concerned about losing business.
Officials said for now the fee is only set to be in place until the end of summer which is peak tourist time.
