MSV Noticias representative expresses his communal concerns and experiences before forum at Gaisman Community Center. photo by Don Mooney

‘I want it to be about you’—Mayor Young meets with spanish-speaking residents, hears their concerns during town hall tour.” Mayor Paul Young

MEMPHIS, Tenn— Similar to first stop on Mayor Paul Young’s One Memphis town hall tour the top concern is public safety for residents in Berclair section of Memphis on Friday night inside the Gaisman Community Center on Macon Road.

Mayor Paul Young greets attendees at second stop of ‘One Memphis’ town hall tour. photo by Don Mooney

Bilingual interpreters were present to aid the predominately Spanish-speaking members in attendance. Similar to the One Memphis forum in Whitehaven earlier in the week, crime topped the list.

Spanish-speaking interpreters helped bridge language barriers. photo by Don Mooney

Making their crime concerns more complicated is the language barrier. ”I want it to be about you all,” Mayor Young told the crowd, “I want to hear the concerns that you have in your community.”

Mia Peete, founder of Douglass Cornerstone poses a question at Spanish-Speaking forum. photos by Don Mooney

Inside the Gaisman Community Center on Macon Road, questions were asked about the response time and quality of service from the Memphis Police Department. ”Why when we call a police officer does it take 5 hours for them to show up?” asked one man.

Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis with assistance from officer Buruca to answer questions. photo by Don Mooney

With a Spanish-speaking officer by her side, Police Chief CJ Davis said MPD makes it a point to go to churches and meetings in Hispanic neighborhoods. The force, she said, is always looking for officers who speak more than one language. ”We want to make sure we have officers in your community,” said Chief Davis, “We are hiring. We have recruiters here because we want bilingual officers in Hispanic communities as well.”

Leadership officer retrieves information from concerned citizen at town hall forum.photo by Don Mooney

A pastor expressed another major concern—“I had to serve as an interpreter,” he said, “and it was a challenge for us. There were no people who spoke Spanish.” He said the city needs more interpreters or Spanish-speaking employees in government agencies and the medical community. The mayor and his team also took questions about soccer fields and speed limits on city streets.

Mexican-American Jerry Flores, a 22-year resident of Memphis, stated that, “we are very, very scared and we want to demand that the authorities pay more attention to violence.” photo by Don Mooney

Mia Peete, founder of Douglass Cornerstone, a youth mentoring and outreach group, asked about more funding for activities for kids.”When we speak a lot about our youth, I just think it’s time we really put them first. They are our future,” expressed Peete.

photo by Don Mooney

Two months into the job, the city’s new mayor pledged to make Memphis’ Hispanic community a priority. ”I know that the chief is committed,” he said, “and I’m committed to make sure that you get different results.” The next One Memphis town hall moves to South Memphis on Saturday, March 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Glenview Community Center on South Barksdale.