MPD helps businesses prepare for holiday crime spike

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Police Department is preparing for an uptick in crime this holiday season.

Larry Hymes Jr. and several other business owners gathered at Wolfchase Galleria early Thursday morning to learn safety tips about how to protect their merchandise and businesses ahead of the holiday season.

"The more information you have the better off you are. The better prepared you are," said Hymes Jr.

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According to the Memphis Police Department, many will be shopping for the holidays, but some will not pay.

Colonial Lenora Armstead says each year the criminals get smarter.

"We're intelligent as well. When they come up with new strategies, we are going to come up with new strategies," said Armstead.

That includes informing residents and business owners to take a stand.

"Do not leave your packages and things visible for someone to have the opportunity to just break your window out and grab them. Do not go back in and out of the mall with packages," he said. "We have a lot of different other tips like defogging tips, the sirens, a lot of different things that are on the market that business owners could use."

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Memphis Police are also offering community impact officers who can tour your building.

"They talk to business owners and they give them tips on things that will help strengthen their businesses," said Armstead.

As of October, more than 3,800 businesses have taken advantage of the program. But, MPD wants to inform more since almost 300 businesses were robbed in 2023.

"I'm just happy that they're doing their part just to make sure that everybody is well informed and they are trying to help the community," Hymes Jr. said.

The next Safety Forum will be held on November 19.