MEMPHIS, Tenn — Hit and runs are a consistent issue here in Memphis. Some of the latest victims are a pair of friends in Orange Mound.
“You having four or five hit-and-runs a day that’s being reported," hit-and-run victim Jay Montgomery said. "That’s not to say how many that’s not being reported.”
They said they were hit by two separate vehicles at the intersection of Union Avenue and South McLean Boulevard in early December.
“I’m used to having something in the drive that when I need to go somewhere, I get in it and go," said car owner Delores Bellamy, who was left without a car after the incident. "But this past two weeks, three weeks, it’s been difficult.”
Bellamy and Montgomery said after being hit by two cars it took nearly an hour for anyone from law enforcement to arrive and when someone did, they said it wasn’t an official officer but a Police Service Technician (PST).
And nearly a month later, these two friends said as of Wednesday, Dec. 20, their case still hasn’t been assigned to a detective.
“I feel that the city can do better," Montgomery said. "I know what we’re working with as far as funding and so on. It’s hard to get good police officers to want to work in Memphis.”
An issue dating back to Mayor Jim Strickland's first term starting over eight years ago. Despite incentives and raising police and fire pay to reach Strickland’s goal of 2,500 officers, the force remains below 2,000.
Montgomery said her message to the new city administration is to do more.
“I just want them to put this on the agenda," Montgomery said. "Get a hold of all of these hit and runs and smash and grabs.”