MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said closing high-crime businesses has quieted crime calls in Memphis neighborhoods; it's the latest tactic from the D.A.'s office and the Memphis police.
But some residents said they don't think that goes far enough in making the streets safer.
First, it was the EZ Express in Frayser last October, then the Snappy Mart in Midtown Memphis in December. And most recently, towards the end of February, the Gas Express on Lamar Ave., less than five miles from the Memphis airport. Our crews confirmed this location reopened just after eleven days.
“We got actually four locations in this community, and they been shut down as a hazard/nuisance for the community, and true enough, they open right back up week later," Memphian Keith Leachman said.
But that's how it's supposed to be, according to the D.A.'s office.
"It is not meant to be a permanent thing," ADA Forrest Edwards said. "It is merely to try to get these business owner's attention and try to get them on the right path."
After shutting down, the business owners have a checklist they have to follow such as installing surveillance cameras, connecting them to the real-time crime center, and increasing lighting.
However, residents like Keith Leachman want city leaders to invest more resources in troubled areas.
"You don't go to Barlett and see these things on your sidewalk, you don't have all that high grass in each and every lot or land," Leachman. "So, we're willing to clean the land and clean the people up at the same time. And I guarantee you, I didn't say 'I think,' I said 'I guarantee' a change."