Memphis residents have seen a promising decrease in crime rates over the past year, according to a recent announcement from the city’s police department. Reports highlight a 27% decline in overall Part I crimes. There was also a 26% drop in murders and a remarkable 48% decrease in carjackings, with homicides dipping below 200 for the first time since 2019. In an encouraging trend, incidents involving shootings fell by 38%. These figures mark significant progress towards a safer community.
In detailing the strategies behind these decreases, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) pointed to their specific initiatives aimed at addressing violent crime head-on. Chief CJ Davis stated, “These reductions did not happen by chance,” as reported by memphispolice.org. Their focus, moving into 2026, is to sustain and build upon these gains. The efforts include MPD’s Prolific Offender Initiatives, which target repeat violent offenders, and a Domestic Violence Prolific Offender Initiative to prioritize the safety of survivors of domestic abuse.
One key aspect of MPD’s strategy was Operation Code Zero, aimed at removing illegal firearms and drugs from the streets as well as identifying and disrupting blight and illegal gambling operations. Through Operations Rolling Thunder and its sequel, MPD successfully arrested 370 individuals, including 92 gang members. The operation resulted in the seizure of 59 firearms and significant quantities of narcotics, removing dangerous elements from Memphis’s landscape…