During a recent city council meeting, community members voiced significant concerns regarding local governance, police accountability, and municipal services.

Damon Curry Morris, a resident of Dunmore Road, expressed frustration with the police department, citing incompetence and a lack of responsiveness to his reports of crime, including a robbery at his home. Morris highlighted a troubling conversation with the police chief, who acknowledged issues of sabotage within her department. He urged the council to take action, emphasizing the detrimental impact of police negligence on his life, including severe personal injuries and financial strain.

Glenda Hicks, co-founder of 21st Century Memphis, raised alarms about a phishing scam that resulted in a loss of over $73,000 from the city’s funds. She criticized the council for lax budgeting policies and called for greater accountability in financial oversight, particularly concerning the Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) board.

Joe Kent, a local activist, proposed a censure resolution against staff interruptions during council proceedings and urged for more transparency in the city’s financial reporting. He suggested that the council should focus on retrieving excess funds from MLGW rather than pursuing investigations into the Strickland administration, which he deemed unlikely.

Joan Hart, advocating for animal welfare, criticized the new leadership at Memphis Animal Services for a lack of experience and poor decision-making that led to the euthanasia of healthy animals. She called for the council to take responsibility and involve experienced volunteers in the management of the shelter.

Residents also raised concerns about infrastructure, with one speaker highlighting the poor condition of roads in Hickory Hill, which have not been adequately maintained since annexation. Another resident, Robin Joyce, lamented the financial impact on her restaurant due to restricted access during the Smoke Slam Festival at Tom Lee Park, questioning whether the rental agreement extended to the surrounding bluff area.

The meeting underscored a growing demand for accountability and improved services from city officials, as residents seek to address pressing issues affecting their community.