President Donald Trump vowed that a “Golden Dome” missile-defense shield should be “fully operational” by the end of his term, saying it would be able to protect the US from threats including ballistic missiles, hypersonics, and advanced cruise missiles.
Trump’s vow is an ambitious goal given that much of the technology around a missile-defense system remains unproven, especially plans for space-based interceptors to knock down incoming ballistic missiles. Congress is seeking $25 billion to begin work on the system, and Trump said it could cost $175 billion overall.
Crime in Memphis increased in 2005 and saw a dramatic rise in the first half of 2006. Nationally, cities follow similar trends, and crime numbers tend to be cyclical. Local experts and criminologists cite gang recruitment as one possible cause of the rise in crime in Memphis, and a reduction of 66% of federal funding to the Memphis Police Department. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of full-time officers in the Memphis Police Department fell by 23.2%.
In the first half of 2006, robbery of businesses increased 52.5%, robbery of individuals increased 28.5%, and homicide increased 18% over the same period of 2005. The Memphis Police Department has responded with the initiation of Operation Blue C.R.U.S.H. (Crime Reduction Using Statistical History), which targets crime hotspots and repeat offenders.
Memphis ended 2005 with 154 murders (431 in whole TN), and 2006 ended with 160. 2007 saw 164 murders (397 in the whole of TN).
In 2023, Memphis had the highest homicides in its history, 397 homicides recorded.
