City hopes new efforts, reward program fights blight and crime
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Blight, trash and tires. Eyesores are plaguing far too many neighborhoods in Memphis.
“It makes it so hard to have pride in your community,” Alexis Agnew said.
Agnew just moved to the Bluff City. While driving through South Memphis she was appalled at the blight, trash and litter piled on the side of the roads, clumped under bridges and tossed in abandoned lots.
“It makes me angry. I have lived this way. I have lived in blighted communities,” she said.
What upset her even more is that she didn’t see the same thing when driving in other parts of the city like East Memphis.
“Money equals power, and it shouldn’t. Just because these areas don’t have the money and economic investment, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve clean spaces, green spaces,” Agnew said.
It’s a problem others have also pointed out time and time again.
“It’s ridiculous I have to drive by it every day and see this. Let it have been Germantown,” said Kerry Clay, a concerned resident in North Memphis.
Far too many have said they’re irritated, disappointed and discouraged.
But new efforts by the city are starting to have an impact.
“We feel they’re frustrated. We hear it. We understand. We go to these community meetings,” said Robert Knecht, who heads the Memphis Public Works division.
Knecht said his team is implementing new ideas that come from a new administration and from a blight task force created by the council.
He said they launched a pilot program, which zones in on hot spots for crime and code violations in each precinct. They started in Mt. Moriah.
“We all recognize that crime and blight go hand and hand,” Knecht said.
Police focused on the crime hot spots. Through an open records request, we found out their operations in Mt. Moriah resulted in 402 traffic stops and 35 arrests. They reported officers seized 15 guns and drugs including pills, fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Meanwhile, Knecht said his team focused on cleaning up. They issued citations for exterior code violations, cut overgrown lots, cleared drains, fixed potholes and swept the streets. He said they now moved to the Airways Precinct area.
“It’s an overall effort to improve everything we can touch,” he said.
Knecht said they’ve also teamed up with non-profits for more community clean ups and more anti-littering curriculum in schools.
He said they’re still operating covert cameras that have helped them catch people illegally dumping. He admits though, they need more from the public.
“About two and a half months ago, Robert Knecht called me,” Crime Stoppers Executive Director David Brown said. “We got to sit down and talk.”
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About a year a half ago, the state law changed. It increased penalties to a felony when caught illegally dumping larger amounts like eight or more tires.
Since Crime Stoppers only works with felony cases, Brown says they were able to participate in a new illegal dumping reward program. It could launch as soon as July.
“The city of Memphis needs to have less blight and criminal dumping happening right now. It’s happening around the city, and we want to put a stop to it,” Brown said.
The city will donate the $50,000 to start it. Tips will still be anonymous, and if they lead to an arrest or warrant, payouts could be $300-500.
“Criminal dumping can be a starter crime into worse felonies, so that’s a good reason to step up too,” Brown said.
Studies have shown that blight and crime go hand in hand. Vacant properties are often stripped of valuables and become havens for squatters. Blight can hurt property values, which means less economic investment. Hope and pride are then lost.
A study conducted in Philadelphia showed that after cleaning up hundreds of vacant lots, crime, gun assaults and burglaries decreased in three years.
“We want them to understand we are trying new things. We are tackling crime and blight comprehensively, which is new,” Knecht said.
They’re bringing new ideas to tackle a problem that continues to hurt neighborhoods that want and deserve more.
“It’s this vicious cycle, and it sounds so silly. Trash? Trash is the cause of this. Yes! It’s the start of it,” Agnew said.
She realizes she’s new to the city and new to this fight.
“When you get it cleaned up, they have pride in their communities. When they have pride in their communities, they want to continue, you know, to keep that good cycle going,” she said. “I would love if the community came together and said this is not acceptable and Memphians deserve better.”
How to report issues in your neighborhood?
Litter:
Report a littering motorist by calling 52-CLEAN
Report illegally-dumped garbage and debris by calling the 311 Center at 901-636-6500 or dial 311
High Weeds and Grass:
Report high weeds and grass on vacant or occupied properties by calling the 311 Call Center at 901-636-6500
Problem Properties:
If it is a public nusiance, file a legal complaint or lawsuit under the Neighborhood Preservation Act T.C.A. § 13-6-106(a) & 13-6-104
Report the property by calling the 311 Call Center at 901-636-6500
Storm Drains:
Report flooding by calling the 311 Call Center
Report improper waste disposal by calling the Storm Water Hotline at 901-636-6721
Graffiti:
If you witness graffiti vandalism, contact Memphis Police at 545-COPS. Otherwise call the 311 Call Center
Other Contact Numbers:
City Code Enforcement: 901-636-7464
Drain Maintenance: 901-357-0100
Environmental Enforcement: 901-636-4770
Sewage Stoppage Dispatch: 901-529-8025
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