Year-to-date 2025 figures from the dashboard are currently showing significant declines across violent crime categories. Murders dropped to 173 in 2025 from 235 in 2024. Aggravated assault cases fell to 5,447 from 7,043, and sexual assault reports decreased to 571 from 732.
“Our public safety strategy is working. Memphis is experiencing its lowest level of serious crime in 25 years,” he said. “While I am not claiming victory, I do not want us to underestimate how important this is. Yes, the task force has helped accelerate progress, but the strategy was homegrown. Our work is working.”
“Peace doesn’t come by accident. It comes through action,” Young said, adding that since the launch of the Memphis Safe Task Force, the city has seen “3,348 fewer serious crimes citywide, and calls regarding shots fired have dropped by 53%.”
Young also noted the emotional weight of ongoing community trauma, recalling a September gathering where more than 300 parents spoke the names of children lost to gun violence. “There is nothing more powerful than the somber strength of a parent who speaks their child’s name, knowing that child should still be here.”
“The desire for safety is not partisan. There is no red version or blue version of peace," said the mayor.
Tosha Jenkins, whose son Davito MarShun Ross was killed on April 15, 2024, said she waited nearly a year without updates before the case was reassigned. She learned on Nov. 21 that her son’s accused killer had been captured.
“We’ve had so many to get killed back-to-back. So many,” Jenkins said. “But I’m thankful for the task force to be here to give us some type of hope and healing.”
Shakira Carpenter, founder of The Braylon Murray Project, told the station that MSTF’s involvement has reopened numerous homicide cases. “Other people may be mad that they’re here, but we’re not,” she said, adding that 24 mothers have now seen suspected killers arrested.
“Locating missing and endangered children is one of the things we are most proud of,” spokeswoman Emily Williams said at the time.
Since that announcement, MSTF’s Dec. 4 data indicate that 21 additional children have been located, bringing the total to 122.
The task force began operations the week of Sept. 29, with National Guard patrols starting Oct. 10. Guardsmen are deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service but do not make arrests; instead, they provide support to the Memphis Police.
The city emphasized that the program is a sustained public safety initiative—not an emergency takeover—aimed at addressing violent crime, improving quality of life, and expanding services for the homeless.