(Memphis) When Jordan Davis goes for a walk or run in downtown Memphis, she says she is concerned about not only crime in this city, but the state as a whole.
“I feel kind of safe, but a lot has been going on with youth and a lot of violence has been going on,” Davis said.
But the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says some crimes are on the decline in the state.
The TBI’s Crime in Tennessee 2012 report shows overall crimes such as those committed against a person or property decreased last year by two-point-eight percent.
“Two-point-eight is not a lot, but if we’re at a 10 percent decrease, I’d understand,” Davis said.
Michelle Fowlkes is the executive director of the Memphis Crime Commission.
“Well basically in 2012, we did see some little spikes in crime for violent crime as well as property crime, but the good news in 2013, we are starting to see the trends go back down.”
For example, the number of murders in Tennessee increased by one-point-five percent, but Memphis has experienced fewer homicides this year.
“In 2013 there’s been a decrease as well. If you look back at the first three months we’re only looking at 26, which is good.” Fowlkes said.
But a challenge for Memphis and the rest of the state includes youth violence. Juveniles comprised eight-point-two percent of total arrests.
Statewide, there has been a decrease, but many people like Dare Estok and her husband, George, say problems like that one and other crimes can’t be solved by police alone.
“Like I said perception. Memphis seeing more police, more neighborhood watch kind of things, people coming together, being more neighborly and know who your neighbor is,” Estok said.
“Because if we don’t solve this issue, it impacts our quality of life, the companies that move to Memphis and more importantly our children,” Fowlkes said.
