Residents of southeast Shelby County are voicing their concerns over rising crime rates and the aftermath of violence in their neighborhoods. A community forum, held yesterday evening at New Sardis Baptist Church, brought together local leaders, concerned citizens, and law enforcement officials in a dialogue peppered with personal stories and calls for action. Rev. Darrell Harrington initiated the discussion with a poignant reminder of the forum’s purpose: “We’re here tonight because we want to make a difference in our community,” as
WREG
reported.
The issue of crime, especially among the youth, has become a pressing concern, with County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon highlighting an escalation in car thefts. The district, home to some 70,000 residents, has fallen into a resource gap between the city and the county, lacking crucial amenities like a local police substation or even a decent park for families. According to Sugarmon, these deficiencies contribute to the community’s vulnerability. On the heels of these concerns, Deputy Chief Samuel Hines of the Memphis Police recommended theft-prevention measures such as kill switches and steering wheel locks, while pointing out the department’s commitment through expanded fugitive task forces and community projects like Operation Code Zero, which he believes are making a positive impact, as noted in a
social media post by the Memphis Police Dept on X
.
Erika Sugarmon District 12 Commissioner hosted a Community Meeting on Crime and Safety at New Sardis Baptist Church. MPD’s Deputy Chief Hines, Colonel Adair, Major Tuznik, and Shelby County Sheriff Deputies answered the questions of concerned citizens in attendance.
#MPD
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Yet the urgency of the situation has been deeply felt by those who have experienced loss firsthand. The mother of Fernando Jones, a 48-year-old man shot and killed while confronting car burglars, shared her grief with attendees, “This is just our story, but there are many stories, there are many stories of lives being taken,” she told
WREG
. Jones’s stepfather, Harry Junior, also spoke of the family’s devastating ordeal: “Getting the phone call at 3 in the morning, hearing that your son has been shot only because he cracked open the door?” as per an interview by
FOX13 Memphis
.
Confronted by a juvenile crime problem she describes as severe, Sugarmon has been advocating for more options to keep kids off the streets. “We don’t have a police substation or sheriff’s substation,” Sugarmon lamented, detailing the absence of a YMCA or community center as well. But hope is seen on the horizon with plans for a new skatepark expected to open in 2025, intending to lend kids a space for engagement and activity, rather than leaving them to the streets. She emphasized the need to support the youth, pointing out that “90% of the babies who are being detained at juvenile court do not have stable homes,” as she shared in the
FOX13 Memphis
interview.
With the collaborations between the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and local officials like Sugarmon, the meetings have opened up critical communication channels.
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