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Memphis City Council reports falling crime, approves more than $1.86 million in grants
Summary
At its Nov. 18 update, Memphis City Council leaders reported a city police update showing crime declines and announced approvals to accept roughly $1.86 million in funding for park repairs, senior programming and a roadway interchange.
Ford Canale, chairman of the Memphis City Council, and Jana Swearingen, chairwoman-elect, opened the Nov. 18 council update with a Public Safety briefing and a series of grant approvals and ceremonial resolutions.
"I'm pleased to say crime is down in all categories," said Jana Swearingen, chairwoman-elect, summarizing the Memphis Police Department's October-to-date briefing to the council. The council began the day in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, which received the crime update.
The council announced two ceremonial resolutions. Councilman Spinoza sponsored a resolution honoring the sacrifice of service members and their families during Veterans and Military Families Month. Councilwoman Cooper Sutton sponsored a resolution recognizing First Baptist Church of Lauderdale on its 160th anniversary in ministry. The transcript notes sponsorships but does not specify whether final votes were recorded for those resolutions.
On formal actions, the council reported approvals and acceptances of funding: it approved a $105,000 grant for maintenance repairs at David Karnes Park; accepted $60,000 from the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging for senior programming at the Josephine Lewis and Frasier Riley Senior Centers; and accepted more than $1.7 million from the Tennessee Department of Transportation for the Winchester Drive interchange at Perkins Road. The council's statements presented those items as accepted or approved; the transcript does not provide vote tallies or named movers and seconders for those actions.
The meeting also recognized Pastor May Junior for serving as chaplain of the day. Ford Canale encouraged residents to follow the Memphis City Council on social media and announced the council's official podcast, Council Connect, is now available.
The council framed the session as part of ongoing efforts to maintain city infrastructure and support senior services while spotlighting public safety developments. The update contained no extended debate in the transcript excerpt provided and did not include procedural vote records, amendments or detailed implementation timelines for the accepted funds.
The council closed by thanking listeners and reiterating its stated goals of transparent leadership and collaboration in 2025.
