Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis joined Memphis City Council member Jamita Swearengen Saturday, July 24, for a community walk through parts of Orange Mound. 

“What happens in Whitehaven affects Orange Mound,” Davis said before a crowd of several dozen that included representatives of MPD and the Memphis Fire Department, as well as elected officials and neighbors. 

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“What happens in Orange Mound affects other parts of the city,” Davis said. “Crime has no borders. There are no lines of demarcation for crime.” 

Swearengen represents Memphis City Council District 4, which includes the Orange Mound neighborhood from Saturday’s walk. Swearengen said she wants Davis to see first-hand the problems facing her district. 

“We’ve placed cameras out, and we still have shootings,” Swearengen said. “People can’t rest well at night. They drop to the floor so they will not be harmed while in bed. Everyone around here is sick and tired of being sick and tired.” 

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Davis, who was sworn in as chief of police Friday, June 18, stressed community engagement as the key to addressing some of the major issues facing the city. 

“I’ve said it over and over again,” Davis said. “We can’t arrest crime away ... you can’t have crime reduction without community engagement. So I know that our officers are committed to getting out of their cars and getting to know the people on their beats.”

Over the course of nearly an hour, Davis modeled the community engagement she hopes to see from officers on her force. Starting at 2408 Park Ave., in the parking lot of A-1 Speedy Corner, Davis walked along parts of Grand Street and Saratoga Avenue in the 38114 ZIP Code. 

As she walked, Davis spoke with members of the media, as well as Orange Mound residents who came out to see the chief. 

Davis answered questions about some of her main challenges, including an uptake in homicides and interstate shootings. Earlier in the week, Davis announced “Slow Down Memphis,” an initiative to crack down on reckless driving and road violence. 

Davis also spoke about the need to hire more officers. In June, the Biden administration said cities could spend funds from the American Rescue Plan Act on anti-violence initiatives, and Davis has spoken in the past about using the funds to increase recruitment initiatives. 

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“I know (the officers) are overworked,” Davis said, “and we don’t have nearly as many officers as we’d like. But during their downtime, I think we all are committed to doing what we can to get to know our community better and build those relationships. 

“We can’t solve crime without getting information we need from community members.”