The Daily Memphian’s Public Safety Poll series explores the results of a scientific survey commissioned by the news organization to reveal residents’ thoughts on crime.

Both City of Memphis and Shelby County residents were interviewed for the poll, which asked questions about public safety perceptions, crime levels, policing, speeding, gun laws and whether the crime level has caused respondents to consider moving to a different neighborhood — or out of the city altogether.

The Daily Memphian’s team of journalists examined the results for each topic, interviewed civic leaders and compared the Public Safety Poll data to actual public safety statistics.

Community thinks crime is ‘much higher’ than 5 years ago

The Daily Memphian commissioned a scientific poll to reveal both city and county residents' perceptions of local crime, and the results are in.

Residents overwhelmingly want more police in Memphis

Residents of the city and county overwhelmingly want more police officers in Memphis — and less than 2% want to see fewer police officers, according to an independent poll from The Daily Memphian.

Barnes: Poll on crime shows residents want more from leaders

“While much of the national conversation about crime devolves into partisan divides and oversimplifications, in Memphis, the attitudes are more complicated and nuanced.”

Large majority of local residents support gun reform, poll shows

Poll results show wide support for gun-safety legislation in Tennessee’s most populous county — which supplies more Republican votes than any other county — as Gov. Bill Lee attempts to convince state lawmakers of the need to pass gun-safety legislation during a special session.

Local residents think speeding is a major problem

A majority of polled residents in the city and Shelby County say they witness speeding or reckless driving on Memphis streets and highways more than once a week. 

Memphis mayoral candidates differ on sentencing laws

‘We all should be very concerned,’ Strickland reacts to crime poll

Memphis mayor answers questions about The Daily Memphian survey, which shows most residents agree with him on the criminal justice system’s “revolving door.”

Crime taking its toll as residents consider relocation, poll shows

Polling data shows the toll that crime – both violent and property crime, particularly the rash of auto thefts sweeping the city – has taken on the psyche of Memphians. 

With community crime poll, perceptions match reality

“The perception is that crime is up. But the reality is that crime is up,” said Bill Gibbons, president of the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission. “No doubt about it.”

Dig in to The Daily Memphian’s crime poll data

The top-line findings suggest how those living in Memphis and Shelby County feel about crime, but the data also suggests differences based on age, race, income and gender.

Calkins: She was carjacked, twice in a year. Now this young Memphian wonders if it’s time to leave

Madeline Johnson was carjacked almost a year ago. This weekend, it nearly happened again. Now this 25-year-old Memphis transplant is thinking about moving away from a city she has come to love.