Black Mayors’ Coalition on Crime wraps up first set of meetings
All eyes are on Memphis as leaders from states across the country meet in the Bluff City for the first-ever Black Mayors’ Coalition on Crime. The first-ever Black Mayors’ Coalition on Crime has concluded its first round of meetings in Memphis, where leaders from across the country gathered to discuss public safety. The coalition was created by Memphis Mayor Paul Young in partnership with the African American Mayors Association and aims to find solutions for public safety issues. The discussions were closed-to-the-public and media during the meetings. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones said she is taking back strategies used in Atlanta for nightclub owners and is looking at ways to reduce crimes around convenience stores. According to the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, overall crime went up 6% in Shelby County in 2023, compared to 2022. Violent crime was also up in 2025, and property crime jumped nearly 16% in the county.
Published : 4 weeks ago by Bria Bolden in
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - All eyes are on Memphis as leaders from states across the country meet in the Bluff City for the first-ever Black Mayors’ Coalition on Crime.
That coalition, created by Memphis Mayor Paul Young in partnership with the African American Mayors Association, is looking for discussion and solutions around public safety.
“We are solidified and resolved in the fact that we are stronger together. The national crime data may show some decreases in overall crime stats, but what we discussed today is that if people don’t feel safe, then the statistics don’t matter,” said Mayor Young.
Whether you’re walking the streets of Memphis and Shelby County, pumping gas, or just sitting in your home, you deserve to feel safe wherever you go.
“We’re ensuring amongst ourselves that this will not be the last engagement but we will continue to lean in,” said Jackson, Mississippi, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba.
Mayors and leaders from Jackson, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Durham, St. Louis and more met Wednesday and Thursday to talk about crime and solutions.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones says she’s taking back strategies used in Atlanta for nightclub owners and eyeing ways to reduce crimes around convenience stores.
“We have a lot of violence around convenience stores and gas stations,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones. “So how can we hold those business owners accountable and also bring down crime? Some of the things are already doing, we’re finding other mayors are doing as well.”
Discussions with the Council on Criminal Justice and chats between leaders were all closed to the public and media.
According to the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, overall crime went up 6% in Shelby County in 2023, compared to 2022.
Violent crime was also up in 2023 and property crime jumped nearly 16% in the county.
Stolen vehicles contributed to that increase. More than 14,000 vehicles were stolen in Memphis last year.
Mayor Paul Young specifically named Charlotte’s “Operation SCARLET” as something to possibly imitate in Memphis.
Last year, Charlotte police found 180 stolen luxury vehicles valuing more than $11 million, guns and drugs during Operation SCARLET. Now, federal charges are being pursued in that case.
“People want short-term solutions,” said Mayor Young. “They want to figure out how we’re going to stop crime today. And then we want to figure out how we want to stop crime of the future.”
The mayor said future conversations will continue.
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