Opinion: To achieve real safety, Memphis needs real change
“We cannot afford to criminalize another generation of Black youth”
Cardell Orrin of Stand for Children Tennessee (center) advocates reassessing the criminal justice system as he believes mass incarceration policies are expensive and ineffective. (Bill Dries/The Daily Memphian file)
Cardell Orrin
Cardell Orrin is executive director of Stand for Children Tennessee, partner organization of the Justice and Safety Alliance.
“It’s time to confront crime and safety issues in Memphis by focusing on data, comprehending the root causes of crime, and moving beyond policies centered solely on policing and mass incarceration.”
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The Memphis Police Department program would monitor curfew violations and “other criminal activities,” such as indecent exposure.
Despite concerns, Downtown youth curfew moves forward
A meeting Tuesday between stakeholders and the Memphis Police Department resulted in an agreement on a Downtown pilot curfew program that will eventually be implemented citywide. Many program details remain unclear, including where and how MPD will detain minors.
Curfew enforcement has been mixed across the U.S.
Curfew programs often also take people off the streets who could report crimes, research shows.
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