MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Police Department (MPD) is trying new tactics to slow crime and listen to the community on how to better handle incidents. The department held a community forum for business owners Thursday night at Hickory Hill.
MPD focuses on educating business owners on how to protect their property. This is an important initiative as more businesses deal with break-ins and robberies.
The owners of Broadway Pizza on Broad Avenue are constantly dealing with break-ins. Dewana Issi said thieves are often finished breaking in by the time police arrive on the scene.
“It takes one minute and 30 seconds to get in and out of here,” Ishie said. “The police were so busy dealing with everything that it sometimes took a very long time. It's frustrating.”
Therefore, MPD hosted a community awareness forum to build a common understanding of how to keep businesses safe and when to contact MPD.
Although this is a sectoral initiative aimed at all business owners, the event received a lot of support from small businesses and businesses that, like Hispanic business owner Nena Garza, say they have been ignored. Obtained.
MPD is working to bridge the gap between the department and the Hispanic community. They aim to give Hispanic residents access to affiliate information in both English and Spanish so they can know their options regarding contacting law enforcement and integrating cameras into real-time crime centers.
“There are cameras installed outside. [of our business]And our outdoor cameras are connected to law enforcement,” Garza said.
“[Community Information Officers are] They actually visit our businesses and really talk about how they can improve and how we can help them,” said MPD Chief CJ Davis.
MPD also touched on how businesses can upgrade with bulletproof glass, alarm systems and security patrol officers.
The owner left information on how to connect commercial cameras to the Real-Time Crime Center and how to better protect your property to prevent crime.
