Citizens sick of crime start watching courts, need your help
Citizens sick of crime start watching courts, need your help WREG NewsChannel 3
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two Mempians Rally to Address Crime Issues
Leslie Taylor and Norman Blake, residents of Memphis, have taken action to address the issue of crime in their city. They began by focusing on 201 Poplar, where they learned about the backlog of cases that accumulated during the COVID-19 court shutdown and the controversy surrounding a new bail hearing room.
Increasing Public Transparency in the Judicial System
Taylor and Blake initiated a court watch in January. They have been attending the 10 criminal courts at 201 Poplar daily, observing proceedings, and taking notes. Their mission is to promote public transparency in the judicial system, provide the community with more information, and familiarize themselves with all the stakeholders involved.
Blake’s motivation to take action stemmed from personal experiences with crime. He shared, “Eliza Fletcher was murdered. Someone else I knew was murdered as well, and then my personal car was stolen by a 15-year-old minor, charged with multiple gun charges and crimes of breaking into several places. It was such a call to action. I said I need to do something.”
Taylor also felt compelled to address the issue after an encounter with a reckless driver while her 15-year-old son was in the car. She realized the need to be proactive and make a difference in Memphis.
The Creation of Memphis Crime Beat
Blake decided to join the Citizen’s Police Academy and participate in youth programs to combat youth crime. Taylor reached out to Memphis Councilman Ford Canale and helped organize a panel discussion on reckless driving. Their paths crossed, and they established the nonprofit organization, Memphis Crime Beat, with the goal of gathering more information about the rise in crime.
Taylor explained, “There’s a lot of elected leaders working on our behalf, but we don’t have citizens watching them to understand what they are doing, how well they are doing their job, etc.”
Identifying Issues and Inefficiencies
Blake acknowledged that the issue of crime is complex and does not have a simple solution. Their objective is to identify issues and inefficiencies within the system and present their findings to local leaders for resolution.
Volunteer Opportunities
Taylor and Blake are actively seeking volunteers to support their cause. They currently have a dozen volunteers and are training several more. With a goal of reaching 60 volunteers, they aim to cover the bail hearing room, general sessions, and criminal courts at 201 Poplar. Each volunteer would only need to commit one to two days a month.
The Need for Citizen Engagement
By taking action, Taylor and Blake hope to bring about the change Memphis desperately needs. They emphasize the importance of citizens paying attention to the work of elected officials and actively engaging in community issues.
Get Involved
Court sessions are held between 9 am to 1 pm. Shifts are available based on individual schedules, and training will be provided. If you want to volunteer, email memphiscrimebeat@gmail.com for details.
For more information about Memphis Crime Beat, click here.
WREG Investigates
This week, WREG Investigators have been delving deeper into the delays within the criminal justice system and exploring necessary changes. To read more investigative stories, click here.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
- Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
- Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms.
- Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services.
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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, particularly for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms. |
| Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. | Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services. | |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, particularly for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. | Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use for all, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities. |
Analysis
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SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article highlights the issue of crime in Memphis and the need for transparency in the judicial system. This aligns with SDG 16, which aims to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions. The targets relevant to the article’s content are Target 16.3 (promoting the rule of law and equal access to justice) and Target 16.6 (developing effective and transparent institutions). The indicators mentioned in the article include Indicator 16.3.1 (proportion of victims of violence reporting their victimization) and Indicator 16.6.2 (proportion of population satisfied with public services).
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SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article also touches on the issue of crime in the context of creating safe and inclusive communities. This relates to SDG 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities. The specific target mentioned in the article is Target 11.7, which aims to provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible public spaces. The corresponding indicator is Indicator 11.7.1, which measures the average share of built-up areas that are open space for public use.
Overall, the article addresses SDGs 16 and 11, with specific targets and indicators related to promoting justice, transparency, and safe communities. The analysis is supported by information from the article, such as the focus on crime, the need for transparency in the judicial system, and the goal of creating safer communities through inclusive public spaces.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: wreg.com
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