City's 2nd in violent crime (state of Tennessee struggles as whole)

The Memphis Commercial Appeal ^ | September 22, 2006 | Yolanda Jones

[mcg2000]

D.A. cites gang 'war' in grim national stats

Memphis and its surrounding counties ranked second in the nation for violent crimes committed last year, according to the FBI's annual report on crime released this week.

The 2005 data shows the Memphis metro area had 1,197 violent crimes per 100,000 residents last year. That's up slightly from 1,132 in 2004.

Dist. Atty. Gen. Bill Gibbons said one reason for the increase in crime is because "we are in a war" with gangs and drug traffickers. "The gangs are targeting Hispanic residents in robberies and the homicides increased because of warfare between gangs. We've seen a crumbling of gang structure and a lot of jockeying for power and as a result people, innocent people, are getting caught in the crossfire -- including children," he said.

The local crime rate climbed in the early 1990s, reaching a peak in 1996, Gibbons said.

Last year, after a welcome break, the numbers began to creep upward again.

"This is a serious situation that must be met dead-on with urgency," Gibbons said.

The FBI and local crime experts warn, every year, that the report should not be used to compare metropolitan areas. It's a warning that's ignored, every year, by newspapers, television stations, tourism boards and business associations.

"It is like comparing apples and oranges," said Memphis police spokesman Sgt. Vince Higgins.

For one thing, he said, police agencies in Tennessee use a more detailed reporting system than that used by agencies in many other states. And the FBI report doesn't fully take that difference into account.

"We haven't taken a look at the numbers, but you shouldn't compare cities," Higgins said.

Tom Kirby, an analyst with the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, said there are other variables that can affect crime rates.

Poor, urban areas, for instance, typically have more crime than wealthy, suburban areas.

"So it is tough to say we're ranked at a certain number," he warned. "You have to be careful with the rankings."

That said, the numbers compiled for "Crime in the United States 2005" indicate that the Florence, S.C., metro area (population 199,935) was the most dangerous place to live in the country in 2005. There were 1,286 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.

The safest is the Logan, Utah, metro area at 67.1 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Next lowest is Bangor, Maine, at 82.7 per 100,000.

The report defines violent crime as murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault. Burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft are grouped together as property crimes.

Nationally, violent crime increased 1.3 percent from 2004 to 2005, the largest increase since 1991. Every category, except rape, showed an increase.

-- Reporter Mark Watson contributed to this story.

'Crime in the United States 2005'

This report from the FBI provides information about violent crimes (murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft) as reported by local police departments. This chart shows the number of those crimes per 100,000 residents in these metro areas. The Memphis metro area includes Crittenden County in Arkansas; DeSoto, Marshall, Tate and Tunica counties in Mississippi and Fayette, Shelby, and Tipton Counties in Tennessee. All numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number. To see the complete report, go to fbi.gov/ucr/05cius.

Metro area / Violent crime / Murder / Rape / Robbery / Aggravated assault / Property crime / Burglary / Larceny / Motor vehicle theft /

1. Florence, S.C. / 1,286 / 8 / 51 / 223 / 1,005 / 5,733 / 1,406 / 3,914 / 414 /

2. Memphis / 1,197 / 14 / 45 / 390 / 748 / 6,086 / 1,680 / 3,598 / 808 /

3. Shreveport-Bossier City, La. / 1,079 / 11 / 57 / 197 / 813 / 4,895 / 1,071 / 3,426 / 397 /

4. Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, Mich. / 1,038 / 10 / 53 / 141 / 834 / 3,418 / 1,051 / 2,039 / 328 /

5. Jackson, Tenn. / 989 / 7 / 62 / 174 / 746 / 5,608 / 1,469 / 3,583 / 556 /

13. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro / 894 / 8 / 45 / 201 / 641 / 4,136 / 775 / 2,993 / 368 /

15. Little Rock-North Little Rock / 864 / 9 / 48 / 197 / 610 / 5,767 / 1,348 / 4,012 / 407 / Source: FBI

Violent crime rates

Violent crime per 100,000 people in some Mid-South metropolitan areas in 2005 (MSA population in parentheses.):

Memphis: 1,197 (1,262,520)

Nashville: 894 (1,410,545)

LIttle Rock: 864 (642,769)

Knoxville: 483 (653,969)

Jackson, Miss.: 363 (520,502)

[goldstategop]

I definitely do not plan to move to a crime-filled area in the South. For me, a life in small town mountain country would be a dream come true.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Coldwater Creek]

I live about 35 miles north of Memphis. We have no more that one murder a year.

[mcg2000]

It's surprised me how quickly Nashville has become a national crime rate superstar! /sarcasm

When you factor in Nashville's Top 5 status (every year) for different STDs ... it's not a good sign of things to come for Middle Tennesse.

[goldstategop]

Here's a question: how can one find out which neighborhoods are safe and which aren't? How can one avoid the most dangerous one? And no I do NOT mean looking up real estate MLS listings. They are of no value in determining what's a safe place to live. Does any one know an online guide to Safe Neighborhood Ratings? Thanks.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Coldwater Creek]

There is no safe neighborhood in Memphis.

[goldstategop]

The usual rule of thumb used to be, buy a house in the middle class part of town, the clean part with the upscale homes and one never had to fear from crime.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[mcg2000]

There is no safe neighborhood in Memphis.

Memphis is a perfect example the original question about pinpointing bad neighborhoods. I'd have to research ..... but I remember reading an article that listed 97% of all violent crime in Memphis occured in South Memphis neighborhoods and North Memphis (Orange Mound and Frazier?).

[Inge_CAV]

"For me, a life in small town mountain country would be a dream come true."

Not sure of what you have in mind but there is a small mountain town in Northeast Alabama you should consider. It is called Mentone and may be what you are looking for. This from an online brochure.

"The Town of Mentone - People have been flocking to this popular health resort since the late 1800's where mineral springs were believed to have healing powers. The mineral springs are no more but the town still has the same charm and healing powers as it restores peace and tranquility. Bed & Breakfast Inns, Cabins and restaurants add to the rustic atmosphere. This is the perfect place to rest for the night before completing your journey across the Lookout Mountain Parkway."

[Coldwater Creek]

When we lived in Memphis, we had a beautiful custom built home and it became common for professionals to be literally killed in the street for trying to protect their property.

We moved from So.Calif. and loved our neighborhood, but it finally became so unsafe that we had to leave.

[mcg2000]

When we lived in Memphis, we had a beautiful custom built home and it became common for professionals to be literally killed in the street for trying to protect their property.

Yeeeaaaaah. And when are you speaking at the UN? That's the most exaggerated, silly comment I've heard in a very long time. Geez.

[Coldwater Creek]

Are you saying that I am not telling the truth?

[mcg2000]

It's certainly doesn't resemble anything along the lines of your represenatation of the truth.

"it became common for professionals to be literally killed in the street for trying to protect their property."

That's one of the most over-the-top fear mongering statements one could imagine. Please prove me wrong and post documented links to support your statement.

[Coldwater Creek]

Before you start making stupid remarks, you might try to find out the facts about my statement.

The whole reason that we moved from Memphis was that is was not longer safe in our neighborhood, and i did not live in the hood!

[EmilyGeiger]

Mentone is beautiful. I used to go every summer to a camp there when i was a kid. It is near to Ft. Payne, home of Alabama band. Sh though, we don't want to become like areas of N.C. where the loony libs migrate here when they retire. :)

[mcg2000]

"it became common for professionals to be literally killed in the street for trying to protect their property."

I've simply held you accountable for your fear mongering. As requested before, please provide a link to document this outrageous claim.

[Coldwater Creek]

I don't have time to fool with it this morning. I have to take my husband to Memphis to get blood transfusions.

[mcg2000]

"it became common for professionals to be literally killed in the street for trying to protect their property."

Okay .... be sure to avoid those black helicopters! lol

[xtinct]

Sperling's Best Places provide nationwide neighborhood profiles. Ebay uses this site on each and everyone of the homes for sale on its website.

[Coldwater Creek]

Thanks for your self portrait. It is hot black helicopters that frighten me.