MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After five murders over the weekend, Mayor A C Wharton and Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong addressed the violence.
“Perception is not always reality, and you guys [media] play a big part in that,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong had words for news crews when we asked about an especially violent weekend. Four people were shot to death while another was fatally stabbed.
Still, Armstrong was adamant that Memphis is a safe place to live.
“The reality of it is we’re almost looking at a 6 percent reduction in crime in the city as compared to last year,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong claimed that percentage is updated daily.
MPD sent WREG these numbers — the city’s year to date homicide total is 97, with 81 of those identified as criminal. At this same time last year, Memphis had 113 homicides, with 95 of those identified as criminal.
Still, after Hilvar Lopez, 26, was shot and killed at the Patterson Place Apartments, neighbors took to the streets calling for more police to protect them.
The mayor said he and the police director met over the weekend due to the violence.
“We know that until people really start feeling safe, our battle is not yet won,” Wharton said.
Police made arrests in two of the murders, and Armstrong said investigators are working on the other cases.
Wharton and Armstrong both attended an event Monday to preview an event that gives incentives for people to turn in guns.
