MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Residents near Young Avenue Deli said despite the recent break-in at the restaurant, they feel safe in the Cooper-Young neighborhood, but still feel more can be done to fight crime.
Wednesday, Memphis Police responded to a break-in at the popular Young Avenue Deli, finding the front door smashed, cash registers thrown around and the office door torn off its hinges.
The manager said one of the register tills and a bag used for banking were the only things stolen.
The restaurant has since fixed its shattered front door, but concerns remain as these break-ins are becoming more frequent.
“The businesses are trying to do what they can do as far as security. There are cameras, and the cameras are being linked to the police station,” said Chip Armstrong, who lives across the street from Young Avenue Deli. “These are helping, but it sure is tough.”
Within half a mile of Young Avenue Deli, there have been five burglaries reported so far in 2024 (three business, two non-residential), according to the City of Memphis Crime Map. That’s compared to zero such reports during the same time span in 2023.
A nearby store, 901 Comics, had its front window smashed in late January.
Charlie Ryan, co-founder and vice president of the Cooper-Young Business Association, said there is constant communication between businesses and the neighborhood. He said the business association meets monthly with MPD and they recently brought in private security to monitor the area.
“I think because of our proactive communication and activities with the police, you just haven't seen the violent crime here,” Ryan said.
But residents think it can be even better.
“There were efforts at one point to put together a community safety/security team,” said Austin Lenox. “I remember being reached out to about.”
Armstrong, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1977, said bringing in a crime lab could help solve more cases faster.
“It takes a long time to resolve the crimes,” he said. “The court systems apparently are way backed up. They're just postponements and delays, even on minor offenses that should be resolved.”
In 2023, MPD’s “Operation Broken Bottles” aimed to cut into these smash-and-grabs. According to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, most of the 33 defendants involved are in custody, with one serving a six-year sentence, some awaiting case resolution and others serving sentences for different charges. Four defendants have active warrants for their arrest.
