Memphis crime rate drops 16%, but public perception lags behind

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Crime is down according to Memphis city leaders, but perception seems to be at odds with the numbers.

As of this week, the city of Memphis reports overall crime is down nearly 16% compared to the same time last year. Just in downtown, it’s decreased nearly 32%.

But how do you convince someone, especially a victim of crime or someone who knows a victim, that Memphis is safer?

Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis stressed on Informed Sources this month they’re working to curb the crime through focused strategy, various operations, federal partnerships and community support.

When asked if stopping crime means perception changes, she said it’s not that simple.

“We have to do more of what we are doing today. We have to show people what the numbers are saying,” Chief Davis stated. “We have double-digit reductions. We had 40-50, sometimes 60, car thefts a day. We are not responding to that. We talk about property crime, but violent crime is just as serious.”

That progress seems to be belittled with doubt and fear blasted on neighborhood apps and social media. Comments made nationally don’t help either.

“I didn’t know this until my confirmation process, but Memphis, Tennessee, is the homicide capital of America per capita – didn’t know that, we have a problem there,” FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News in May.

Then in June, an ESPN personality claimed the crime in Memphis is out of control.

“The people in Memphis, it’s a great sports town, great fans, great people. But there’s an element there where cats like Jimmy Butler and others don’t feel it’s the safest environment,” Stephen A. Smith said. “I’m talking to the local authorities in Memphis. You gotta clean some of that stuff up because it’s dissuasive to NBA players.”

David French said comments like those spread fast and get a lot of attention, but in the long game, not so much. He’s the president of Memphis Brand, a non-profit working to change the city’s negative perceptions by elevating, celebrating and radiating Memphis through various campaigns.

“Unfortunately, they’re unfair in a lot of ways, too, because they distill Memphis down to a one-note narrative,” French said.

French said one of their biggest battles right now is perception.

“I would say that’s true. I would that’s probably true with a lot of city brands,” he said. “The thing about brands is they are living, breathing entities, and they are constantly being shaped and formed by what people are saying or thinking. The good news is Memphis is on an amazing trajectory. We have seen some of the highest favorability rankings we’ve ever seen outside of the city.”

In fact, he said their latest research shows people who don’t live here have a 70% favorable opinion of Memphis.

“The more that builds upon itself, we see investment coming in. We see more people moving into Memphis and staying in Memphis,” he said. “We see Memphians speaking highly of ourselves that is what’s more important.”

And more and more visiting Memphis.

“I will tell you tourism is a very important industry. Not only does it support over 40,000 jobs here in Memphis and Shelby County, but it generates over $200 million in taxes,” Memphis Tourism President and CEO Kevin Kane told WREG Investigators.

Kane said the hospitality industry has been flat since mid-2023, but he doesn’t blame crime or fear of crime. He said the challenges are based on the economy and COVID.

He said less people working remote, which means the length of trips got shorter. Plus, prices have gone up and household budgets being impacted. Travel is getting cut.

Still, Kane says Memphis is pushing through. He referenced the millions being invested in downtown, like at Tom Lee Park and the new Brooks Museum of Art.

“Everybody wants everything to perfect. I understand that. I am a lifelong Memphian. I want everything to be perfect too,” he said. “Every city’s got their challenges. You know, crime has been up statistically speaking since COVID nationwide.”

Kane said he keeps a constant eye on the stats from the city, and vows crime in Memphis is improving.

“I think our best days are ahead for us and I’m excited about it,” he said.

Negative perceptions, accurate or not, can have a huge impact on a city. Studies show when people feel less safe than what actual crime stats indicate, it can impact civic pride, deter investment and create division.

Memphis is among other cities now battling real problems and their reputation. New York City, Portland and Chicago are pushing plans to get more people back into their downtowns with the belief it’ll feel safer with more people there. Other cities have tasked committees to plant feel-good stories.

“I think crime is very easy to gravitate towards, right? It’s very easy psychologically to gravitate toward that narrative and say that’s what’s dragging our perception or our reputation down,” French said. “I say it with a lot of love and care, but I believe right now, Memphians can be the biggest obstacle to our city’s success.”

French and other city leaders admit this reputation didn’t happen overnight and will take time to overcome, but they’re confident progress is being made.

He challenges Memphians for every negative story they hear or read, find a positive one.

“We’ve seen a lot of Memphians rally around their city, and that’s great. We need to see more of that,” he said. “Our latest round of research actually says some incredible jumps in terms of Memphians believing Memphis is or is becoming a great place to live and work. It’s up something like 15 percentage points. Now that’s progress and that takes time.”