When I was first elected to serve the people of Memphis in the General Assembly, I made it my mission to improve public safety for all residents. Since then, we’ve worked hard and made meaningful progress in reversing our city’s violent crime trend — from strengthening Tennessee’s bail laws, to increasing parental accountability to reduce […]
When I was first elected to serve the people of Memphis in the General Assembly, I made it my mission to improve public safety for all residents.
Since then, we’ve worked hard and made meaningful progress in reversing our city’s violent crime trend — from strengthening Tennessee’s bail laws, to increasing parental accountability to reduce juvenile crime, and requiring pretrial monitoring for violent offenders. There’s still more to be done, but I’ve been encouraged by the overwhelming support from my constituents and fellow Memphians. Public safety is not a partisan issue — everyone deserves to feel safe in their community.
Unfortunately, years of soft-on-crime policies from some local leaders have worsened the crisis. In 2023, Memphis experienced a tragic record-breaking 398 homicides — a roughly 40% increase from the previous year. In one devastating week alone, between April 18 and 25, 36 people were shot — 15 of them fatally — in 26 separate incidents across Memphis and Shelby County. This is unacceptable. Memphians deserve better.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel recently appeared on Fox News and recognized the seriousness of our city’s crime crisis, pledging to bring federal resources to bear.
“I didn’t know this until my confirmation process, but Memphis, Tennessee, is the homicide capital of America per capita,” Patel said. “We have a problem there. We’re now addressing it. We’re rolling out one of our task forces to the state of Tennessee.”
It’s disheartening that our city is often recognized more for its crime rate than its economic promise, vibrant culture, or deep historical significance. But I’m grateful for the federal government’s attention and support as we work to reclaim our city’s narrative.
I’ve sent President Donald Trump a letter asking him to join Director Patel in publicly supporting Memphis in our stand against lawlessness. His leadership and advocacy would send a clear message: violence and disregard for the rule of law will not be tolerated. I welcome the assistance of the federal government, because I know it will be invaluable in confronting crime head-on and helping Memphis reach its full potential.
Our crime problem is not unique. Major cities across the country face similar struggles, and at times, solutions can feel elusive. But I’m confident that with strong leadership, including from the president, we can fulfill the promise to make America — and Memphis — safe again.
As part of the Republican supermajority in the Tennessee General Assembly, I’m proud of our efforts to make our communities safer. We’ve passed smart-on-crime legislation, worked to reduce recidivism, and championed victims’ rights. We’ve also prioritized supporting law enforcement, including significantly raising starting salaries for the Tennessee Highway Patrol and increasing penalties for assaulting officers or fleeing arrest when it results in injury.
Unfortunately, the Memphis Police Department has not received the same level of support from all local leaders. According to the Memphis Police Association, the department is currently short more than 600 officers — the lowest staffing level in two decades. This staffing crisis is a serious threat to public safety. I’m calling on city leadership to provide the resources and backing necessary to recruit and retain high-quality officers. Public safety depends on it.
Combating violent crime starts with accountability. The best laws in the world are useless if they’re not enforced. By empowering law enforcement and giving them the tools they need, we can make our streets safer.
We’ve already seen this approach work. In April, Police Chief C.J. Davis announced the results of Operation Rolling Thunder, a 17-day initiative that resulted in 160 arrests, including 50 alleged gang members. I applaud the officers who carried out this mission, and I hope we maintain this momentum in our fight against violent crime.
Residents are demanding change, and with the addition of a federal task force, we gain a powerful partner in our ongoing efforts to make Memphis safe. Director Patel has taken a bold stand for law and order, and I am proud to stand with him. I urge all local leaders to do the same.
Memphis matters. We will not abandon our city or its people to lawlessness. Public safety is a core responsibility of government, and I am fully committed to ensuring Memphis becomes a vibrant, secure city for all.
State Rep. John Gillespie represents District 97 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Shelby County