Opinion: Public safety is a key to Downtown’s future
South Main Street looks a bit lonely during a South Main Trolley Night in 2022. One recommendation to increase Downtown public safety is to “find ways to increase pedestrian traffic in low traffic areas and improve connectivity among different parts of Downtown.” (Brad Vest/The Daily Memphian file)
Bill Gibbons
Bill Gibbons is president of the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission and executive director of the Public Safety Institute at the University of Memphis. Previously, he was commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and district attorney for Shelby County. He has also served on the Memphis City Council and the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.
“The key to maintaining and building on Downtown Memphis’ momentum is to get a handle on the reality and perception of public safety concerns and to do so with a healthy sense of urgency.”
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