MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and Juvenile Court Judge Tarik Sugarmon discussed new solutions to cut down on juvenile crime in front of the Memphis City Council’s Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.
Multiple solutions involve early intervention and helping underserved families address the issue of youth crime at the source.
“That’s what this city can do. That’s what this community can do,” Memphis City Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton said during the meeting. “Address what the real issues are.”
District Attorney Mulroy says that while youth crime only makes up for about 20 percent of total crime in the area, car break-ins and thefts involving young people are on the rise.
A new unit in the D.A.’s office is focused on repeat offenders on non-violent crimes and are under 18-years-olds, that is before they potentially move to more violent offenses.
Beyond that, Mulroy said the entire family needs to be involved.
“Bringing (the parents) to court, counseling them, making them attend parenting classes,” he said.
There are multiple city and county officials working on the issue.
Mulroy also said Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is creating a violence intervention office to work in a coordinated effort with area nonprofits. Additionally, Memphis Mayor Paul Young is working to create the position of public safety coordinator, which would do something similar.
That is something Joe Cox with Memphis nonprofit Youth Of Westwood is happy to hear.
“Speaking with those who are inside the communities,” he said. “Find these people, find me in the community and teach us how to expand.”
Judge Sugarmon added that other efforts include working to create a safe babies court where infants get the care they need and the mothers can take parenting courses.
“Working with children and families from age one (and) up,” he said. “At some point, even on a prenatal basis.”
Cox says it also must involve better understanding the circumstances that some of these young people have grown up in.
“Why does a young person feel it’s okay to hurt somebody? Let's get into their minds,” Cox said. “Instead of saying ‘Why’d you do that?’ maybe ask, ‘What happened to you?’”
Other solutions offered included more funding for literacy and education programs like those offered by Uplift Westwood.
Mulroy said some of the organizations the county is working with include Memphis Allies and Heal 901, adding that there is plenty of room for more groups to join them.