Before a large crowd at Lakeland Golf Club on Wednesday, June 26, Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor captivated those in attendance with a summary of his recent efforts in Nashville to combat crime in Memphis. Rising crime and bail reform were the focal points of the four actions he highlighted as part of his mission to improve conditions in Memphis and surrounding areas.
“We need to make crime illegal again,” Taylor said when discussing his current effort to remove Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy from office. In response to critics who claim his action is unconstitutional, Taylor clarified that the firing of judges and district attorneys is actually permitted by the Tennessee Constitution.
Senator Taylor also emphasized that the socioeconomic backbone of Memphis is its businesses and their employees, but many established local restaurants have closed in recent years. While some closures are due to COVID-19 restrictions and their ongoing impacts, Taylor noted that crime has been on the rise for well over a year and that also plays a role in the closures. Business owners have attributed their losses to incidents such as broken car windows, stolen vehicles and shootings. The public’s lack of confidence in safe shopping or dining out has led many in the Mid-South to “not renew their subscription,” as Taylor put it.
Taylor concluded his speech with a question and answer session, where he was met with a very receptive audience. It is clear that he remains committed to his mission to restore safety to Memphis.
