Q1 ’26 Neighborhood Watch Meeting Recap

MPD Major credits Neighborhood Watch with helping reduce crime

“It’s due to people taking ownership of their neighborhood.”

March 4, 2026

Neighbors gathered on Thursday, March 4 at Independent Presbyterian Church for the first 2026 quarterly Avon Woods Neighborhood Watch meeting, and the message from local law enforcement was clear: community involvement is working.

Assistant Station Commander Adam Pickering of the Memphis Police Department Tillman Station thanked residents for their strong participation in Neighborhood Watch and credited groups like ours with helping reduce crime in the area.

“It’s due to people taking ownership of their neighborhood and helping us do our jobs,” Major Pickering told the group.

He also praised Kevin Phipps, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for the Tillman Precinct, calling him “one of the best watch coordinators we could have.”

Below are highlights from the meeting for neighbors who couldn’t attend.

Neighborhood Events Bring Neighbors Together

Jay Perdue shared updates on several upcoming neighborhood events in 2026. These gatherings provide more than just food and fun — they help neighbors connect, which strengthens the Neighborhood Watch network.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• First-ever Neighborhood-Wide Yard Sale — Saturday, April 11
  • Register to sell by March 20
  • 24 sellers have already signed up, promising a busy day across Avon Woods
• Food Truck Socials — Third Thursdays, April–July
  • Season opens April 4 with Good Groceries
• Next Neighborhood Watch Quarterly Meeting — June 4
• Annual Fourth of July Parade & Picnic — July 4
  • Our largest gathering with 250+ neighbors typically attending
• National Night Out — Aug. 4
  • Last year’s inaugural annual gathering brought more than 60 neighbors together along with members of the Memphis Police and Fire Departments
• Annual Fall Festival — Oct. 17

Block Captains: The Backbone of Neighborhood Watch

Torrent Johnston reported on Block Captains coverage throughout Avon Woods. Block Captains serve as the key communication link between neighbors and law enforcement, sharing information about suspicious activity and coordinating with other captains across the neighborhood.

Avon Woods currently has 20 Block Captains. Residents can view coverage on Avon Woods Neighborhood Watch Google Map to find their captain or see where additional help is needed. Following are streets/sections where we need Block Captains:

• Cecilia Drive (2 captains needed)
• Chickasaw Road (Avon Rd. to E. Erwin Dr.)
• Johnson Ave.
• Lindseywood Cove
• Lorece Ave. (Avon Rd. to N. Perkins Rd.)
• N. Mendenhall Rd. (Walnut Grove Rd. to N. Perkins Rd.)
• Normandy (Avon to Mendenhall)
• Oma Cove (gated community at Princeton Rd and N. Perkins Rd.)
• N. Perkins Rd. (Walnut Grove Rd. to Princeton Rd.)
• Princeton Oaks Cove
• Sequoia Rd.
• Vescovo Dr. (2 captains needed)

Residents interested in volunteering as a Block Captain, please contact Mary K. Allen. Remember, the role of the block captain is simply connecting the neighbors immediately surrounding them, creating a group text, informing each other of criminal or suspicious activity, and sharing to the Block Captains text group for neighborhood-wide awareness of significant incidents.

Code Enforcement: Resources for Neighborhood Issues

Operations Manager Jeremy Cooper from Memphis Code Enforcement provided an overview of how the department helps address common neighborhood concerns. Topics discussed included:

• Abandoned vehicles
• Trash cans left at the curb
• Overgrown properties
• General property maintenance issues

Residents were reminded that, in addition to the city’s bi-monthly bulk waste collection, items such as used automobile tires can be dropped off at one of Memphis’ two Solid Waste Convenience Centers.

Crime Update: Positive Trends for 2026

Major Pickering shared encouraging crime statistics for both Avon Woods and the broader Tillman Precinct. Avon Woods has had zero reported incidents since January. Tillman Precinct has had 98 incidents so far this year, compared to 221 during the same period last year, and 60 of the 98 incidents were shoplifting.

Tillman continues to have the lowest violent crime rate of any Memphis precinct, with most incidents classified as property crimes.

Technology is helping reduce crime, according to Major Pickering. Connect2Memphis, a registry of individual homes and businesses is helping officers identify nearby doorbell or security cameras that may have captured evidence after a crime. Additionally, camera-equipped drones are providing MPD with a bird’s-eye view of incidents, allowing officers to determine whether suspects are still in the area and what situation they may encounter before arriving. Pickering encouraged residents to support city funding for additional drone technology by contacting city council or state representatives.

Asked about the presence of the National Guard in Memphis, Major Pickering said he has been pleasantly surprised and credited Memphis Safe Task Force with helping reduce crime, due in part to simply freeing up MPD officers to “catch up”. He reported an increase in stolen license plates, saying that thieves often use stolen plates because they have learned that expired tags or temporary drive-out tags give law enforcement officers a reason to stop vehicles, which can lead to further investigation.

Major Pickering also recognized Avon Woods resident and Block Captain Nikki Fowler for recently graduating from the Memphis Citizens Police Academy. The nine-week program helps residents better understand police operations, department policies, decision-making processes and the day-to-day experiences of officers. Nikki shared that the program gave her a deeper appreciation for the work Memphis police officers do every day.

2025 Crime Snapshot

Officer Tanita Danes from the Tillman Station also shared 2025 crime totals for the precinct:

• Larceny — 11
• Burglary — 5
• Motor Vehicle Theft — 9
• Theft from Motor Vehicle — 14
• Aggravated Assault/Domestic Violence — 3
• Robbery — 2
• Vandalism — 3

Upcoming Community Events at Tillman Station

Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Kevin Phipps announced two upcoming precinct events:

• April 4 — Easter Celebration: 10am-2pm at Tillman Station with bounce house and games for kids
• April 10-11 — Prom Closet: Donated formal wear (dresses, tuxedos and suits) will be available for high school students who might not otherwise be able to afford prom attire. Donations can be dropped off at the precinct through April 8.

Stay Involved

Avon Woods continues to set a strong example of how engaged neighbors and law enforcement can work together to create a safer community. If you’d like to get involved — especially by volunteering as a Block Captain — contact Mary K. Allen, our Avon Woods Neighborhood Watch leader. And mark your calendar for the next Neighborhood Watch meeting June 4.

Special Thanks

We extend sincere thanks to our neighbor Bob Hicks and Independent Presbyterian Church for again hosting our Neighborhood Watch meeting!