Image Credit: Thomas R. Machnitzki / CC & canva
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
More than 1000 people have signed an online petition to de-annex Cordova from the City of Memphis, citing crime as a major factor in that decision.
Petitioners hope to make Cordova its own town with its own police force to provide protection that many do not feel they adequately receive as a part of Memphis.
The petition description, located on change.org, states, “…since the annexation of Cordova by Memphis in 2012, our once thriving community has been on a downward spiral. Cordova has experienced an alarming increase in crime rates.”
Data from the City of Memphis Data Hub confirms that crime in Cordova has continued to increase since data collection began in 2018. Current numbers show that there have been 3,500 crimes reported so far this year, compared to 3,000 during the same period in 2018—an increase of 500 incidents.
Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green, who represents Cordova in District 2, acknowledged residents’ frustrations. “I certainly sympathize with the residents of Cordova,” she said. “Crime was then and continues to be the number one issue. So I understand their frustration.”
However, Greene does not believe that de-annexation is not the solution.
“I don’t think it’s a solution in my mind only because it’s not going to eliminate crime from coming into the suburbs or other areas,” she stated.
Instead, Green advocated for finding ways to provide resources to the community, highlighting several of her own initiatives, including sponsoring a resolution to address youth mental health and a program to provide gun locks to residents.
“It’s going to take some real concerted efforts and conversations with the leadership of both this administration and the police department,” she added.
Green also emphasized the importance of resources provided by the city, including crime mapping, police and fire services, and waste collection, nothing that these resources would be lost if the de-annexation were to take place.
“That would not happen if they were not part of the City of Memphis,” she said.
The petition also mentioned a decline in home values as another reason for de-annexation. In 2021, neighborhoods such as South Cordova, Southwind-Windyke, and Rocky Point successfully separated from Memphis, with residents citing a desire for lower property taxes and greater autonomy.
While Green says she wants residents to continue to speak up about their concerns, she urges them to consider answers other than de-annexation.
“I just don’t think it’s a true solution,” Green explained. “I think we have a system, we just need to make the system work better. I just hope that the citizens of Cordova continue to make their voices known. They can reach out to me, they can reach out to the mayor. But I hope that they get involved. It is literally going to take all of us to make an impact on crime.”
One Response
I wonder if Bartlett has had the same kind of increase in crime that Cordova has had. That might be something to look at before just basically saying it wouldn’t matter, that crime is coming no matter what. As for me, I left the Memphis area 30 years ago. I urge others to do the same or, get serious about the leadership you choose.