News you can 'use'....... (as if these facts were not apparent). What SHOULD be 'soaring' is the percentage in dead criminals on the slab, put there by law-abiding home owners with CCP's........ You Don't have to have religion to have ethics & be decent........

The lack of a moral foundation is certainly the main component of what gives people the license to commit crimes against others. But when there just isn't anybody saying "no" at home, this is what you're going to get. As long as they vote the right way, apparently its kosher.

Serpentine really hits the nail on the head. We need to focus on the ten commandments, you know, like the New Testament tells us to NOT do. If people would just not work on the Sabbath, not bow down before false idols, stop taking the lord's name in vain, and would stop covetting their neighbor's donkeys all of our problems would be solved.

@Serpentine - Although your thoughts are directionally correct, you overlook a key point. Most bible-toting believers on the buckle of the bible belt are hypocrites! For example - the African American community has a high percentage of Christians yet vote democrat? How does one go to church 1-2 times per week and sing to the heavens about love, life and brotherhood then go vote for baby-killing at the polls? The only two things that one can conclude are: 1) Money via entitlement programs; and/or 2) Race. Neither are rooted in Christianity. In short, save your bible-thumpin' for those who fall for it. I'll stick to living my life in a respectable, non-hypocritical manner and raising my children in the same manner. The church, like the government, has been the scourge of our nation. I'm not saying God mind you, I'm saying organized religion that focuses on money and growing its congregation while condoning it's leaders lavish lifestyles and rape of adolescents.

LOL at Serpentine. This is one of the most religious cities in North America and also one of the most crime ridden. Your "not enough religion" does not hold water. The Bible is total BS.

Crime will increase every year due to our society that has walked away from the laws of God's ten commandments and established our own laws which by the way is our eventual down fall. Economics play a huge part but not the only part. Our societies across this great city and nation is foul due to the dishonesty of it's leaders. Image if we had strong bible beliveing political and pastor's of their flocks. Crime would'nt be what you see today. Matthew 24th chapter explains; because inquity shall abound,meaning sin,the love of many shall wax cold. Our city is caught in a maze of lustful pursuit' of happiness. No matter how pity it's the goal of getting whatever I want at the cost of not caring whom we hurt or kill to have it. Us at the buttom of society only react to what the top does. The top of society is full of lustful worldly filthy gains at all cost. What do you think the buttom will do. Yes,we live in times where moral's are a thing of the past. The love of money and for animal's have replaced the love for people we are suppose to exhibit every day towards one another. And crime has gone up in Memphis. Gee,I wonder why.