Memphis, Shelby County launch joint crime office [Video]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The City of Memphis and Shelby County are launching a joint crime office to tackle violence reduction and improve the communities most disproportionately affected by crime, a city spokesperson announced Wednesday.

The Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement will key on non-traditional criminal justice system responses and be constructed to allow both administrations use an integrated approach to reduce violence, utilizing a data-driven strategy to benefit communities disproportionately facing violence and trauma. The goal is to lead a collaborative approach by consolidating current city and county safety-related programming.  

The initiative will also involve preexisting community-based programs, organizations, individuals, and community and faith leaders in the county.

“Our teams have already begun the work of reducing the silos that typically exist between different municipal entities and community groups,” Memphis Mayor Paul …