An Unprecedented Partnership

As a catalyst to bring agencies together to focus on innovative crime prevention methods, the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission has become an essential ingredient in our community's efforts to reduce crime, fear and disorder. Too many of us, for too long, thought there was not much that could be done about crime other than tolerate it or escape it or fortify ourselves against it individually. This kind of thinking is deadly for cities. The Memphis Shelby Crime Commission -- both by bringing new ideas to the table, and by providing a framework within which local creativity and resources can be leveraged -- is proving that our communities can be made safer. The nation as a whole is learning from us, and from our comprehensive strategies for preventing the conditions that produce violence. In just five years, the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission has created unprecedented partnerships with businesses, schools, hospitals, public safety agencies and local violence prevention providers that are making Memphis and Shelby County a safer place.

Business Overview

The Memphis Shelby Crime Commission (MSCC) was established in April 1997 by the Plough Foundation and Guardsmark, Inc. as an independent, nonprofit organization. Its programs are planned, directed and executed by 37 active board members, a full-time president, a small full-time staff, and the Center for Community Criminology and Research (CCCR).

MSCC is a nonpolitical and nongovernmental organization that offers perspective, advocacy and facilitation to the community and criminal justice system to implement model crime/fear reduction strategies. MSCC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization (Tax #62-1693848).

To that end MSCC will:

• Work with the criminal justice agencies throughout the region to make our systems more effective
• Research “best practices” based on national models
• Work to reform the local criminal justice system as is appropriate and necessary
• Provide a national context to local public safety issues
• Offer a local perspective to national issues in policing and criminal justice
• Provide and interpret crime data for the community
• Create, build and foster community partnerships that advance the cause of crime/fear reduction programs
• Research, create and advocate for effective, evidence-based criminal justice public policy.

The Memphis Shelby Crime Commission is totally dependent upon private contributions to fund its efforts and receives no funding from taxpayer or government sources. All membership fees and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Four Guiding Principles

Crafted in the fall of 2000, the four permanent guiding principles for the MSCC in the new millennium best capture the spirit, passion and purpose for our existence. These principles are validated in the observation of Oliver Letwin, conservative shadow Home Secretary (United Kingdom), to the Daily Telegraph that "...you can't cure crime with a thousand incoherent and conflicting initiatives."

1. Thoughtfully broker, coordinate, and engage in selected strategic community partnerships that enhance the local criminal justice system until those partnerships are firmly established — then disengage.
   
2. Engage regularly, on a tactical basis, with the community and the criminal justice system as crime, public safety and relationships require.
   
3. Resources permitting, respond to time-sensitive community requirements for expertise, context and advocacy regarding crime and fear.
   
4. Continue to research, build and measure best practices in criminal justice as required for community safety.

The Memphis Shelby Crime Commission is funded by private contributions and receives no operational funding from tax dollars or government sources. Click here to learn how to help.