Opinion: ‘Why is Crime Down?’
Leslie Taylor
Leslie Taylor is executive director of Memphis Crime Beat, a nonprofit 501(c)3 created to reduce crime in Memphis.
“Memphians aren’t experiencing things in our community which might explain the crime reduction. And we all see what is still on the news night after night: violent crime.”
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Guest Columns Memphis Crime Beat Memphis Police Department District Attorney General Steve MulroyRelated stories
Memphians ‘starting to feel the difference’ as crime declines, top cop says
“While the data tells one part of the story, what matters is that people in our neighborhoods are starting to feel the difference in their homes,” Memphis Police Department Chief C.J. Davis said.
Data dive: Numbers behind the story of Memphis’ crime decline
The trend lines are clear on almost all fronts. After reaching high points in 2023, crime in Memphis is trending down at a higher rate through the first half of 2025 than it did through the first half of 2024.
Two heads are better than one for driving down Memphis crime, but perception issues linger
Even though the Memphis Police Department’s numbers point to a decrease in crime, some in the city are skeptical.
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