Memphians stay true to their city, but outsiders are typically scared to walk down Beale Street at night. Memphis ranked in the top 10 for crime in the United States.
Memphians often take pride in living in such a historic city, even though Memphis is in the top 10 in crime in the United States, according to data from the FBI.
Memphians stay true to their city, but outsiders are typically scared to walk down Beale Street at night.
Jordan McMillian, a student at the University of Memphis, said he has always liked Memphis for the 18 years he has lived here.
“It’s home to me,†McMillian said. “I’ve never even thought of moving anywhere else and I definitely like it a lot. I have a lot of friends, I know a lot of people and it’s a great community.â€
McMillian said he has never felt unsafe while living in Memphis.
“I’ve always felt safe while living here, even when I’m walking through downtown at night,†Mcmillian said. “I feel like if you mind your own business and don’t look at people the wrong way you should not have anything to worry about.â€
Mcmillian said the high crime rate has never directly affected him.
“I think it (the crime rate) is very institutionalized,†McMillian said. “Of course places like Orange Mound are going to have a high crime rate, but Germantown is going to have a lower one. All the crime has never affected me directly since I’ve lived here.â€
Jake Buffardi, another student at the UofM, moved to Memphis in August 2018 for college. Buffardi said since he has lived in Memphis, he has liked how friendly everyone is.
“It’s a good town to make a lot of friends in with everyone being so tight and compacted into one area,†Buffardi said. “If your parents or whoever brought you up and taught you manners then you’ll have no problem fitting in here.â€
Buffardi said living in Memphis is also convenient.
“Just coming from where I used to live, I wasn’t able to go anywhere at any time,†Buffardi said. “Now since I live in Memphis, I can drive five minutes and I’m at a Kroger, or I can drive 20 minutes and I’m already downtown.â€
Buffardi said he has felt safe the entire time he has lived in Memphis.Â
“I have not felt unsafe at all, maybe because I live on campus,†Buffardi said. “However, even when I’m downtown on a Friday night, I always feel safe.â€
Kyle Smith, a student at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee, said some parts of Memphis would attract him, but others not so much.
“I’ve heard Memphis has fantastic barbecue and music, which is a big draw for me,†Smith said. “However, I know that Memphis has a very high crime rate, so I don’t think I would really feel safe there.â€
Smith said he has thought of transferring to the UofM in the past but is hesitant to do so.
“I have thought about attending the UofM because I would feel safe on campus,†Smith said. “Once I got more into the city, I would feel much less comfortable on my own.â€
