Crime in Memphis, Tennessee

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In 2014, the city of Memphis ranked eleventh in violent crimes for major cities around the U.S.[1] In 2006, Memphis led the nation in number of violent crimes. In 2001, 2005, and 2007, Memphis ranked second most dangerous in the nation among cities with a population over 500,000. It also ranked as most dangerous in 2002.[2] There are approximately 182 gangs in Memphis, Tennessee with 8,400 gang members in the county.[3]

## Murders by year

[edit]

| Year  | Murders

|

2024 | 297
2023 | 398[note 1]
2022 | 261
2021 | 346
2020 | 332
2019 | 191
2018 | 186
2017 | 200
2016 | 230
2015 | 161
2014 | 168
2012 | 134
2011 | 147[4]
2010 | 93
2009 | 118

1. ^ 2023: Highest total to date.

## Violent Crime Rates in Memphis, TN

[edit]

Memphis (area) | Violent Crimes per capita*

|

Memphis, all | 2,352[5][6][7]
Downtown | 3,086
Parkway Village - Oakhaven | 2,773
Shelby Forest - Frayser | 2,447
Berclair Highland Heights | 2,422
Midtown | 2,409
White Haven - Coro Lake | 4,105
Raleigh | 1,658
East Memphis, Colonial, Yorkshire | 1,611
Hickory Ridge, South Riverdale | 1,465
River Oaks, Kirby, Balmoral | 774
Cordova, Appling | 525
Eads, Fisherville | 241
Windyke, Southwind | 223

*per 100,000 people[8][9]

## Crime dynamics

[edit]

In 2004 violent crime in Memphis reached a record low for over a decade, that trend subsequently reversed. In 2005, Memphis was ranked the 4th most dangerous city with a population of 500,000 or higher in the U.S.[10] By 2006, Memphis held the top position of number of violent crimes in America.[2] Recent statistics show a downward trend in crime in Memphis. Between 2006 and 2008, the crime rate fell by 16%. The first half of 2009 saw a reduction in serious crime of over 10% from the previous year.

### Increase

[edit]

Crime in Memphis increased in 2005, and saw a dramatic rise in the first half of 2006. Nationally, cities follow similar trends, and crime numbers tend to be cyclical. Local experts and criminologists cite gang recruitment as one possible cause of the rise in crime in Memphis, and a reduction of 66% of federal funding to the Memphis Police Department. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of full-time officers in the Memphis Police Department fell by 23.2%.[11]

In the first half of 2006, robbery of businesses increased 52.5%, robbery of individuals increased 28.5%, and homicide increased 18% over the same period of 2005. The Memphis Police Department has responded with the initiation of Operation Blue C.R.U.S.H. (Crime Reduction Using Statistical History), which targets crime hotspots and repeat offenders.[12]

Memphis ended 2005 with 154 murders (431 in whole TN), and 2006 ended with 160. 2007 saw 164 murders (397 in whole TN).

In 2023, Memphis had the highest homicides in its history, 397 homicides were recorded.[13]

### Decrease

[edit]

Violent crimes dropped from 12,939 in 2008 to 12,047 the next year. Robbery dropped from 4,788 in 2008 to 4,137 in 2009. Aggravated assault dropped 53,870 in 2008 to 47,158 in 2009 (FBI's UCR).

The Memphis Police Department's use of the FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System, which is a more detailed method of reporting crimes than what is used in many other major cities, has been cited as a reason for Memphis's frequent appearance on lists of most dangerous U.S. cities.[14]

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, violent crime in Memphis decreased by 6.4% in 2014. Non-violent crimes decreased by 16.3%. Both of these were a much greater decrease than Tennessee's statewide averages of 2.4% and 2.5%, respectively.[15]

## Policing

[edit]

Main article: Memphis Police Department

In 2019, the Memphis Police Department had 2,635 full-time sworn personnel (defined as those with general arrest powers) and 2,058 total officers.[16] In 2013, after several gang related robberies at Tom Lee Park, the Memphis Police Department said that "they often feel powerless to control these out-of-control teens."[17]

## See also

[edit]

* Crime in Tennessee
* Gangs in Memphis, Tennessee
* Demographic Data

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The 25 Most Dangerous Cities In The USA". Cities Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
2. ^ a b "Morgan Quitno 2007 Crime Rankings". Morganquitno.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
3. ^ "Think Gangs Are Only In Memphis' Poorest Neighborhoods? Think Again". Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
4. ^ "MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Homicide Maps & Charts" (PDF). Memphis Police. January 3, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
5. ^ "Memphis, TN Crime Rates & Map". www.areavibes.com. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
6. ^ "The Stats". Memphis Shelby Crime Commission. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
7. ^ "The Safest and Most Dangerous Places in Memphis, TN: Crime Maps and Statistics". crimegrade.org. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
8. ^ "Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Memphis, TN".
9. ^ "Map showing Homicides in Shelby County, TN 2017-2021". Google My Maps.[better source needed]
10. ^ "Morgan Quitno 2006 Crime Rankings". Morganquitno.com. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
11. ^ "U.S. Department of Justice, Census of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies, 2008, p.4" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 10, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
12. ^ Memphis ended 2008 with 167 murders, a slight increase from the 164 reported in 2007. Ashby, Andrew (April 7, 2006). "Operation Blue C.R.U.S.H. Advances at MPD". Memphis Daily News. 121 (76). Retrieved August 2, 2007.
13. ^ https://wreg.com/news/2023-goes-down-as-a-violent-year-in-memphis/ [bare URL]
14. ^ Conley, Christopher (June 29, 2009). "Memphis a victim of crime reports". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
15. ^ Callahan, Jody. "TBI: Memphis has strong decline in crime rate". Retrieved April 27, 2015.
16. ^ "Tennessee Full-time Law Enforcement Employees by City, 2019".  FBI Uniform Crime Reports. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
17. ^ Hall, Sabrina (April 23, 2013). "Police Say Teens Hard to Control In Mob Robberies". WREG.com. Retrieved August 12, 2013.