On the map
Memphis' crime rate takes a turn for the worse
Issue date: 11/28/06 Section: The Game of Life
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Michael Heidingsfield doesn't want job security. Many people would be happy if he didn't have a job, but they're safer because he does.
Heidingsfield, CEO and president of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, is one of many people who fight violent crime in Memphis, but that mission is becoming tougher.
From 2003 to 2004 violent crime in Memphis dropped 1.6 percent. However, from 2004 to 2005 violent crime has jumped 16 percent, the first time since 2001 crime has increased.
Both Memphis and the U.S. saw large-percentage increases in violent crime in 2005, according to FBI statistics. However, Memphis on average has nearly four times as many violent crimes per 100,000 people as the national average.
Violent crimes - classified as aggravated assault, murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape and robbery - occurred more than 12,000 times in Memphis last year. In relation to the population of Memphis, that's 1,860 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The national average is 469 incidents per 100,000.
"There is a confluence of events that contribute," said Heidingsfield. "Gang influence and gang growth is on the up tick - there is no question about that. There is a thug ethos, where the wrong people are becoming role models. Violence is becoming sport and in argument situations the gun is becoming the first alternative for everyone. And a generation of career criminals is coming out of jail."
Clint Bratton may be a victim of that confluence. Violent crime recently reared its head in Bratton's East Memphis neighborhood. A few days before Halloween, a car moving slowly down a street in his neighborhood caught Bratton's attention. The 64 year old had just arrived home after playing tennis. After leaving his home to run an errand later, Bratton was waved down by the driver of that slow moving car.
"It was a kid waving," he said. "It was a friendly wave."
The youth in the car asked for directions to a nearby street. Bratton got out of his car to show him how to get there.
Heidingsfield, CEO and president of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, is one of many people who fight violent crime in Memphis, but that mission is becoming tougher.
From 2003 to 2004 violent crime in Memphis dropped 1.6 percent. However, from 2004 to 2005 violent crime has jumped 16 percent, the first time since 2001 crime has increased.
Both Memphis and the U.S. saw large-percentage increases in violent crime in 2005, according to FBI statistics. However, Memphis on average has nearly four times as many violent crimes per 100,000 people as the national average.
Violent crimes - classified as aggravated assault, murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape and robbery - occurred more than 12,000 times in Memphis last year. In relation to the population of Memphis, that's 1,860 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The national average is 469 incidents per 100,000.
"There is a confluence of events that contribute," said Heidingsfield. "Gang influence and gang growth is on the up tick - there is no question about that. There is a thug ethos, where the wrong people are becoming role models. Violence is becoming sport and in argument situations the gun is becoming the first alternative for everyone. And a generation of career criminals is coming out of jail."
Clint Bratton may be a victim of that confluence. Violent crime recently reared its head in Bratton's East Memphis neighborhood. A few days before Halloween, a car moving slowly down a street in his neighborhood caught Bratton's attention. The 64 year old had just arrived home after playing tennis. After leaving his home to run an errand later, Bratton was waved down by the driver of that slow moving car.
"It was a kid waving," he said. "It was a friendly wave."
The youth in the car asked for directions to a nearby street. Bratton got out of his car to show him how to get there.