Team,
As I walked around downtown this week, I have been thinking about the data points we use to monitor the district: construction project starts, number of blighted buildings, blocks cleaned, planters planted, minority and women-owned business participation, zip codes represented at our free events, and the crime stats that impact the perception of safety in our core city. The data we collect on all of these points guides our work.
What we measure becomes what we focus on. And what we focus on over the next four years will make a huge impact on the future of our community. Collecting data on blight throughout our community will help us to identify neighborhoods in need of investment. Gathering data on youth engagement in schools and truancy rates will help us identify at-risk youth. Collecting and sharing data will allow us to intervene earlier and create stronger community partners to help develop the Memphis we all deserve. As I have stated before, it is all connected.
In my plan for Memphis, I outline my approach and intent to formalize a data-sharing partnership with the Truancy Court, Memphis Police Department (MPD), Shelby County Youth and Family Resource Center, and Shelby County Schools, so that at-risk youth can be referred to nonprofit intervention programs. I also outline the efficiencies that could be improved by utilizing the data from shared-camera networks to identify illegal practices related to blight.
We must measure what matters: crime, blight, workforce and education stats. We must act strategically in response. By doing so, we will make our city stronger, cleaner, and more connected - we will create the Memphis we all deserve. Memphians must stand united in our efforts to address our challenges, and we will utilize data to help us monitor our progress as we act together. I believe in that Memphis. And I know I am the right person to unify our City and lead us forward.
