MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Friday night, Memphis Police focused on educating business owners about ways to protect their property.
Many say it’s an important initiative as more and more businesses are dealing with break-ins. The Memphis Public Safety Map shows more than 3,500 thefts and robberies so far in 2024.
Safety, security and surveillance are the big topics Memphis Police Department’s community impact officers went over during their Cordova business forum.
A forum Councilwoman Rhonda Logan made sure she attended.
“This is gunna help drill down and actually speak to the business owners and show them how to be engaged and how to protect their property,” Logan said.
Still, the information only helps businesses that attend the event. Friday night, business-owner turnout was low. Councilwoman Logan remains hopeful more businesses will participate in the future.
“When you are working at night or two jobs or you have a business, you’re an entrepreneur you may not spend time on social media a lot,” Logan said. “We're just going to continue to have these and just continue to get out there and do what we can as elected officials, community engagers and get them out.”
Regardless, the community impact officers brought their best safety tips to the business-owners who did show up. They’re urging people to add cameras, alarms, dogs, bright lights, security guards and more to their businesses to stay safe.
The department is also pushing for more businesses to get involved with Connect Memphis. The goal is to have as many home and business cameras registered or integrated to the real time crime center as possible.
“In the event a burglar alarm goes off, it immediately pulls up the integrated camera from your business and we can see exactly who’s trying to break into your apartment, your home or your business,” MPD Deputy Chief Joe Oakley said.
While participation was low, MPD is hopeful attendance will improve as people see neighboring businesses add new security measures to their property.
