MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland offered up crime prevention solutions after two more businesses were broken into on Thursday, Nov. 30.
The Memphis Police Department responded to the first incident around 2:30 a.m. at a GameStop on Austin Peay Highway.
Officers responded to the second incident at Game X Change Winchester Road about an hour later.
Mayor Strickland said the burglaries haven’t started running off businesses yet. But he thinks it is possible if leaders don’t get a handle on the crime soon.
"It's not really impacted us yet, but it will. Because I've talked to the business owners, and they're concerned about more investments into Memphis,” said Strickland.
We asked the owner of Beauty & Company, broken into Wednesday, Nov. 29, about more immediate solutions to prevent burglaries. One of his ideas was more patrols near businesses, which shopper Marvin Cox agreed with.
"More patrols and cameras. That will probably help," said Cox.
Mayor Strickland said the way to get patrols in the right places is for business owners and residents to build relationships with their precinct leaders.
"They will come out and review the location and make tips. We need to hear of challenges they're having immediately so that patrols can be adjusted," said Strickland.
He also believes judges should hand down harsher prison sentences to send a message to criminals, especially repeat offenders.
"We need a clear message from the court system that if you commit, especially a violent crime, you will pay a price. That is not what is being said,” said Strickland.
Mayor Strickland’s last day in office is Dec. 31, 2023.
ABC24 tried to speak with Mayor-Elect Paul Young at an event downtown, but he left before we had a chance to get his ideas to prevent burglaries.
