MEMPHIS, TN - Home burglaries in Memphis are significantly lower compared to this time last year. And the city's top cop says a tough new law is a big part of the reason why.
According to the Memphis Police Department's Incident Database, there were 1,071 home burglaries reported to cops in October. Compare that to the 1,262 residential break-ins during October 2008 and that's an 18-percent decrease.
This time last year, Memphians crowded town meetings demanding a solution from city leaders. Police Director Larry Godwin says a new state law that strengthens burglary sentences is working.
"Where an individual breaks into 10 houses," says Director Godwin, "it's not counted as one house in a 24-hour period like it used to be. It's counted as 10 burglaries. It gives a little more teeth. And I think General Gibbons has tried to work hard as he can with us to insure prosecution."
Here are the top five Hot ZIPs for Home Burglaries in the month of October:
1. 38127 (Frayser): 118 break-ins
2. 38116 (South Memphis and Whitehaven): 86
3. 38109 (South Memphis): 73
4. 38115 (Fox Meadows and Hickory Hill): 64
5. 38128 (Raleigh): 62
Each ZIP Code has between 40,000 and 60,000 residents.
