MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As the Mid-South begins to wrap up April, the lingering effects of the month's crime continue to weigh heavy in the minds of Memphians.
Recent headlines of violent crimes have Memphians seeking solutions and looking for ways to ring the community together. Two events this weekend are aimed at decreasing the violence and increasing the peace.
Ladia Yates is mind behind Sunday's City Wide Prayer at Handy Park from 6 p.m.-8p.m. Yates has become an integral part for several community members, running the dance school L.Y.E. Academy.
Yates told ABC24 part of her reasoning for organizing the prayer was her own experience with grief after the lose of one of her close friends due to a shooting in a Walgreen's parking lot in 2021. Now Yates hopes prayers, and moments like this weekend will help unite the community.
"We have to present a united front, which means we have to come together, whether it's through prayer or whatever, and show the city, and show everyone, that we are in this together, that we are a village, and this is just the first step," said Yates.
On Saturday Apr. 27, Memphis Parents will also join the fight and seek solutions to crime. Linking Hands 901 and Voices of Black Mother's United will lead a rally against gun violence. Attendees are asked to wear army fatigues or orange. It will start at 12:30 p.m. at the N'joy Celebration Zone at 3035 Directors Row Bldg. 7, Suite 701.
Concerns about violence
Three recent headlines have some wondering if answers can really be found.
Most recently, there was a car theft turned to a kidnapping on Tuesday in the 4100 block of Getwell Road. A man got out of a black Camaro, hopped into a white car and drove off with a child in the car. About an hour later, police said they found both the baby and vehicle safe in the area of Outland Road and Cromwell Avenue. Police said the owner of the stolen car was issued a citation for leaving the child unattended in a vehicle.
Then nearly a week ago, a block party shooting in Orange Mound left a 17-year-old and a 22-year-old dead, and seven others injured. Police believe at least two shooters opened fire into a crowd of more than 200 people. Memphis Police confirmed Tuesday, April 23, that the suspects may face federal charges.
"We will work with our federal partners to pursue any applicable federal charges. This type of violence has no place on the streets of Memphis, and we will work vigorously deter such crimes," an MPD spokesperson said.
On April 12th, Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney was shot and killed while responding to a suspicious vehicle call. 18-year-old Jaylen Lobley was killed in the shootout, and a surviving 17-year-old suspect is still recovering from their injuries. While the Shelby County District Attorney's office believes friendly fire might have killed McKinney, it placed blame on the two teens.
Crime on the decline
These three cases and many others have Memphians feel as if crime is growing rapidly. In reality, crime has actually decreased compared to this same time last year. MPD reports kidnappings are down by 28 cases, reported car thefts have decreased by more than 1,500, and there have been 21 less homicides so far this year.
Despite the decreasing numbers, the community continues to come together to seek solutions to the ongoing issues facing the bluff city. And that's why throughout the weekend, Memphians will transform places like Handy Park into a place of prayer and remembrance.