MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Solving the problem of crime-ridden corner stores while perpetuating food deserts is the concern of some in the North Memphis community.
This comes after the Memphis police and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office shut down two gas stations within the last six months. One of those closures happened just last week.
MPD labeled those stores as public nuisances.
“It’s a lot of drug dealing going on, a lot of shootings going on, it’s a lot of drunkenness going on," Vincent Spriggs II, founder of G.A.M.E Changers, a youth mentoring movement, said.
Advocates like Spriggs said the closures, though necessary, are not without consequence.
"If they wanted us to improve as a community, they wouldn’t have all these factories, substances and corner stores and unhealthy food,” North Memphis resident Kaream Turner said.
It leaves known food deserts like North Memphis with fewer options in a county where nearly 12% of the population lacks access to healthy food.
“This has been strategically done," Derravia Rich, CEO of Black Seeds Urban Farms, said. "Where every corner, there is a liquor store or there is not a grocery store.
Spriggs is demanding more awareness from Memphians and more resources from city leaders.
“The city talking about, 'What we do about the crime, what do we do about the crime,'" Spriggs said. "How about we level the playing field? How about we develop the communities these kids come from and not leave them underdeveloped?”