BARTLETT, Tenn. — Memphis leaders are addressing crime and safety after a recent shooting at Central High School.
On Monday, Nov. 18, a shooting at Central High School left a teenager in critical condition, and a 16-year-old boy is now facing multiple charges.
To address crime and related issues surrounding this incident, District Attorney Steve Mulroy held a town hall meeting in Bartlett, where he introduced a Fast Track Violent Crime Initiative, known as "V11," aimed at expediting the handling of violent crime cases. In this initiative, there would be 11 categories of offenses that include severe crimes such as assault and murder.
It would include being tougher on bail, including enhanced monitoring for those on bail and opposing bail if it does not consider public safety. It would also involve expansion of investigative efforts, including a review of other crimes committed by defendants.
Mulroy added that extreme measures may sometimes be necessary in severe cases.
"There are going to be times when we're going to need to transfer them to adult court," he said. "I think that should be a last resort, not a first instinct, but there are times when we have to do it in other instances where you know the person doesn’t have a criminal history, we can try rehabilitative intervention. and that’s what the law requires. That’s what juvenile is about. Try to do rehabilitation to prevent them from, You know, that trajectory of just a lifetime of crime."
During the town hall, Mulroy emphasized that in cases of school shootings, parents could be held responsible for their child's actions if it is determined they enabled or were negligent in preventing the child's behavior. Mayor Paul Young, who has been on a college tour to address similar issues alongside Memphis police, mentioned ongoing efforts to improve campus safety. He says he is working diligently with Memphis Shelby County Schools, the DA’s office, and the police department to figure out how these initiatives can make Memphis schools safer.
"We certainly don't like to see that in our community but I think it magnifies the need for more investment and programs that identify how people can address conflict resolution, individuals that can be out in our community working with the young people so that they can make a different choice," Young said.
DA Steve Mulroy said he believes these newest initiatives will help drop juvenile crime down even further in Shelby County.