Councilmembers question MPD on Officer Safety, ask for Police on Downtown Rooftops

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – With public safety emerging as a top priority for the upcoming budget season, members of the Memphis City Council have heightened their focus on officer safety while asking crucial questions on adequate funding for safety equipment. With serious questions going around, The Memphis Police Department is proposing an allocation of $840,000 towards safety equipment in its fiscal year 2025 budget proposal.

In a recent event, video footage showcasing teens proceeding towards the Orange Mound Park equipped with large firearms has raised significant concerns about the increasingly volatile situation on the streets. Responding to this event, Interim Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis revealed the department’s recent procurement of 100 rifles to enhance their resistance against the escalating street firepower.

An Overview of the Proposed Budget

The Memphis Police Department presented a budget proposal including $840,000, out of the total estimate of $307 million, specifically for safety equipment. However, there has been a minor decrease in the proposed budget for safety equipment from the previous fiscal’s allocation of $850,000. Despite this, the overall projection anticipates an overspending exceeding $2 million in the area of safety equipment.

During the recent budget hearing, councilmembers recommended the MPD leadership to contemplate acquiring new protective vests and shields for improved officer safety. The suggestions were for rifle plates that could repel rounds as strong as a .223, which matches the caliber carried by many street miscreants, irrespective of if it’s a handgun or a full rifle.

Considering Broader Public Safety Measures

Comments from various councilmembers yielded some notable recommendations for supplemental public safety measures. Councilwoman Jana Swearengen Washington questioned the viability of stationing police officers atop buildings in downtown areas, specifically in the increasingly busy Beale Street area. Prompted by the Councilwoman’s query, Davis disclosed that discussions have been ongoing regarding the allocation of officers towards regular patrolling duties.

Published : May. 14, 2024