Shelby County is set to enhance its crime data analysis capabilities through a new partnership with the University of Memphis. During the FY2026 Budget Subcommittee Meeting on June 11, 2025, officials discussed the establishment of a crime data laboratory within the Center for Community Research and Evaluation at the university. This initiative aims to improve the transparency and efficiency of crime-related metrics across various agencies.

The proposal emerged from previous work on bail reporting, which highlighted the challenges in gathering and analyzing crime data. Officials noted that current systems are often siloed, making it difficult to connect data from different agencies, such as jails and court systems. The new laboratory will focus on developing comprehensive metrics that can address these gaps and support public safety initiatives.

Commissioner Wright emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating that it would not only expand the scope of existing projects but also facilitate the evaluation of justice-related interventions. The goal is to create a public-facing database that allows researchers and stakeholders to access vital crime data, ultimately promoting informed decision-making and enhancing community safety.

This initiative is expected to attract external funding for the county, further bolstering its resources for crime prevention and public safety efforts. As the partnership progresses, it will pave the way for more effective data-driven strategies in addressing crime and justice in Shelby County.