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Author: Smart City Memphis

Question For Memphis Reimagining Police Committee: More Police Or Better Police?

Question For Memphis Reimagining Police Committee: More Police Or Better Police?

Posted by | Sep 16, 2020 | ,

Thumbnail: After 48 years of police directors chosen from within the Memphis Police Department culture, Memphis has the opportunity to bring in new perspectives and new ideas with a new hire who is prepared to answer the key question:  Does Memphis need more police or better police?  It is now also the primary question that is front and center for the newly appointed City of Memphis reimagining police committee. 

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Young Leaders In Philadelphia Driving Police Reform Debate

Young Leaders In Philadelphia Driving Police Reform Debate

Posted by | Sep 14, 2020 | , ,

Thumbnail: The Philadelphia Millennial Advisory Committee  – created by city government to obtain input from millennials.  They may be getting more than they bargained for, becuase the group is a model of active leadership by young leaders and they are making the most of the opportunity to provide candid, honest, and direct opinions, most lately on the subject of police reform and issues related to Black Lives Matter.    

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Can The Police Committee Be A Force For Change, Not More Of The Same?

Can The Police Committee Be A Force For Change, Not More Of The Same?

Posted by | Sep 10, 2020 | , ,

Thumbnail: The new committee on reimaging policing has the opportunity to be the change agent that Memphis has needed.  It requires them to do more than rely on the usual suspects for ideas, data, and recommendations.  Recent research by Prof. Barry Friedman and commentaries by consultant David Eichenthal are must reads for the committee to get off on the right foot.

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Memphis Poverty Is Endemic And City Is In Distress, REPORT SAYS

Memphis Poverty Is Endemic And City Is In Distress, REPORT SAYS

Posted by | Sep 4, 2020 | ,

Thumbnail: Memphis’ neighborhood poverty continues to be the leading problem facing the city.  The Economic Innovation Group summed it up in graphic terms in its May, 2020 report, The Persistence of Neighborhood Poverty – Examining the power of inertia and the rarity of neighborhood turnaround across U.S. cities. Memphis is one of six cities spotlighted in the report. 

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PILOT Talking Points Crowd Out Facts; Shelby County Should Stop Tax Breaks

PILOT Talking Points Crowd Out Facts; Shelby County Should Stop Tax Breaks

Posted by | Aug 24, 2020 | , , ,

Thumbnail: Despite the regular talking points about PILOTs, City Hall – in a bubble surrounded by people who benefit from the tax breaks – has no way of knowing if the tax breaks are justified.  If city mayors want to hand out PILOTs, Shelby County Government’s taxes should be exempt because they support safety net programs and education.

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Latest Bill Day Cartoon

Epstein File, A Cartoon by Award-Winning Bill Day

by Bill Day. Memphian Bill Day is two-time winner of the RFK Journalism Award in Cartooning. His cartoons are syndicated internationally by Cagle Cartoons. Cartoons Archive →

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About Smart City Memphis

Since 2005, this has been Smart City Consulting’s blog with the aim of connecting the dots and providing perspective on issues and policies shaping Memphis.  Editor and primary author is Tom Jones, City Journal columnist at Memphis magazine, author of two books and a museum exhibition, and consultant on public policy and strategic planning.  He has written articles for MLK50, The Commercial Appeal, and USA Today. The blog was called one of the most intriguing blogs in the U.S. by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal said it “provides some of the most well-thought-out thinking about Memphis’ past, present, and future you’ll find anywhere,” and the Memphis Flyer said: “This incredibly well-written blog sets out to solve the city’s ills – from the mayor to MATA – with out-of-the-box thinking, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ideas.” If you have questions, submissions, or ideas for posts, please email Tom Jones, at tjones@smartcityconsulting.com.

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