Memphis is safer today than it was a year ago, and the data backs it up. According to newly released figures from the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, crime fell across every single category from January through June of 2026 compared to the same stretch in 2025.
The drops are significant. Major violent crime, which includes rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, fell 31.5% in Memphis and 30.4% countywide. Major property crime, covering burglary, vehicle theft, and felony theft, dropped 40.6%. Overall reported crime in Memphis went from 48,109 offenses in the first half of last year to 36,719 this year, as reported by the Daily Memphian.
Crime Commission President Bill Gibbons called the progress encouraging while urging the community to keep pushing. “Now is not the time to let up. We must be committed to best practices and adequate resources to keep driving the numbers down.”
Leaders are also keeping focus on the work still ahead, including a new strategic plan with the University of Memphis Public Safety Institute to strengthen support for domestic violence victims. The trend line, though, is clear and it is pointing the right way.
