A THOUSAND WORDS
City can lower crime rate through effective policing
As someone who moved to Memphis in the past year, I’ve never before been part of a community populated by such warm and wonderful people. It’s sad to see this city plagued by so much violence and death.
That said, change is possible. I have seen it. I have lived it. There is hope.
Growing up in New York City during a time when violent criminals ruled the streets — when neighborhoods now counted among New York’s safest were practically war zones — the institution of community-based, data-driven policing, with attention paid to even the smallest quality-oflife crimes, brought New York back from a descent into despair.
Having recently lived in Seattle, where the city was beginning to face problems akin to Memphis, I watched as that city brought in a new chief (an acolyte of the Ray Kelly/Bill Bratton policing philosophy outlined above) and witnessed positive results almost immediately.
We have, in Chief Rallings, a person who seems to have the smarts and the temperament to lead an effective police force. Perhaps by arming him with resources (bringing in Ray Kelly or Bill Bratton as a consultant), and getting behind a philosophy that can serve as a True North for the department and the city, we can begin to give Memphis back to its wonderful people.
Keith Goldberg, Memphis
Lack of parenting has negative ripple effect
Regarding the Jan. 1 column “Not just kids: Bargain-obsessed adults can brawl in malls, too,” Tonyaa Weathersbee calls it teenage hijinks. She has obviously never been caught in a mass of harmful teens causing trouble and making people panic, run, and hurt each other.
What a foolish attitude! Who does she think accounts for a large percentage of the shootings and murders in good ole Memphis? It is unfortunately teens. And it’s not just because they don’t have enough to do, are just out of school, or because they are poor. There is a strong lack of parenting, too many single parent homes, and people not even trying to control their kids. Also too much gang influence. And social media has become a curse instead of a convenience.
Former Mayor Herenton has had some interesting things to say recently about crime. There is cause and effect for the problems in Memphis, and the effect is trouble for everybody.
Dave Russell, Oakland
Optimistic about city’s leadership
I am encouraged by the meeting of Mayor Jim Strickland and former Mayor Willie Herenton at the New Year’s Day Prayer Breakfast when they agreed to work together to solve the crime problem in Memphis. Herenton said “the blacks must take ownership of the problem. They can not pass it off ... Memphis needs healing. We have the opportunity to heal. Mr. Mayor, I am on your team.”
If Herenton can recruit 10,000 black men to get involved in a mentoring program for young black males this will be positive action to address the crime issue that is uppermost in the minds of our citizens.
Good luck to both mayors. Let’s give it a try. Mayor Strickland, I am also on your team.
B. Lee Mallory, Memphis
Republicans should act, instead of talk
The antics of the new Congress and president-elect bring to mind some childhood aphorisms. My mama would say to “be careful what you wish for.” The Republicans have gotten their wish for a Congress and President.
For more than 50 times the House of Representatives has voted to repeal, and sometimes added replace, Obamacare, the scourge of free enterprise medicine. But in the more than six years since the law passed without their votes, the Republicans have yet to detail any replacement legislation. So now they suggest they may get busy and have something within a couple years.
For all those other votes that suggested they might know something about health care, at Bruce Elementary we would have said “liar, liar, pants on fire”.
So David Kustoff, my Congressman, and Senators Alexander and Corker, get started and earn your pay.
Barry Chase, Memphis
Blaming the Russians?
The Democrats have lost well over 1,000 seats in Federal and state elections since Obama took office. I guess those were due to Russian interference in our elections also.
Mike Grebe, Memphis