MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Hispanic community in Memphis is demanding the city work to improve resources for their neighborhoods, but few turned out to a meeting aimed at finding solutions.
Members of the Hispanic population want to see better communication between neighborhoods, police, and the city.
WREG went to the first of three Hispanic neighborhood leadership events. However, the turnout didn’t match the demand we heard just weeks ago.
Only a dozen or so members of the Hispanic community came to Thursday night’s event.
They want more Spanish-speaking officers, freedom to report crime without fear of deportation, and more city resources.
“I’m hoping for a lot more people to come show up, and I’m hoping to get a lot of knowledge out of this,” one participant, Juan Visoso, said.
The City of Memphis Office of Community Affairs organized the events. They said it was mostly publicized by word of mouth, but was shared on some Spanish stations.
The turnout is glaringly small compared to a recent town hall meeting for Hispanics held by Mayor A C Wharton that filled a large meeting room at the public library.
Thursday night’s meeting focused on educating Memphis Hispanics on the 311 call center and how to start and organize neighborhood associations.
City officials said they’re working on getting more translators and making it easier for members of the Hispanic community to reach out for help.
Participants said to really make a difference, it all boils down to one thing.
“Communication,” Visoso said. “Communication between the Hispanic people and the police. Getting that trust between them, not only to report, but know they’re there to help them.” Tim Harris with the City of Memphis added, “We just want them to know it’s not an us against them situation. We’re all residents of Memphis, and we’re all working to make Memphis the best that it can be.”
The other meetings will be held March 12 and April 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 315 S. Hollywood St.
