Media

North Memphis Crime Suppression Effort Yields 52 Arrests

Release Date: June 14, 2003

Several North Memphis neighborhoods were the focus of a huge crime suppression effort last night.

Almost 60 officers from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office joined in the latest initiative to curb crime in North Memphis.

The operation primarily focused on fugitives and others wanted in connection with gang-related crimes. Additionally, officers took a “Zero Tolerance” approach to all crimes in the area, including drivers under the influence, speeding, seat belt and child restraint violations.

“Our crime statistics and concerns voiced by citizens showed the need to focus resources in this part of Memphis. We want the citizens of North Memphis to know we take their concerns seriously and will continue to do all we can to help make their neighborhoods safer,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell.

The enforcement area was bounded by:

• North-Interstate 40
• South-North Parkway
• West-North Main
• East-Bellevue

Here are the results of the crime suppression effort:

• Total arrests: 52
• 5-Felonies
• 47-Misdemeanors
• 172-Traffic Citations
• 23-Traffic Courtesy Tickets

Of the 52 people arrested, 24 were fugitives wanted by law enforcement agencies in Shelby County. Sheriff Mark Luttrell asks the public for its continued help to capture fugitives by going to the Sheriff’s Office website: www.shelby-sheriff.org and clicking on the “Warrants Online” section. All names of known fugitives appear. All tips are confidential.

North Memphis joins the list of several area neighborhoods that have been targeted for crime suppression efforts during the past several months. More than 150 people have been taken into custody during the neighborhood crime sweeps.