Cordova residents seek separation from Memphis | News

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – A petition to secede Cordova from the city of Memphis is gaining momentum.

More than 800 people have signed the form online in hopes of making the community a separate municipality. Those who signed the petition said crime was the main issue in secession.

In fact, the complainant speaks of an “alarming” increase in the crime rate.

According to the City of Memphis Data Hub, Cordova's two zip code areas – 38016 and 38018 – have seen 3,500 crime reports this year. Compare those numbers to 2018, when there were just under 3,000 reports in the community.

RELATED TOPICS: South Cordova and other areas separated; no longer part of city limits

FOX13 contacted the applicant, but he wished to remain anonymous.

Some Cordova residents told FOX13 that de-annexation would be the right step.

“As a victim of crime, I understand,” said Darian Bogard of Cordova. “And I'm all for it. You know, the thing is, you want to be safe. You pay your money to live in safe neighborhoods. And if crime follows you there, what else can you do? So, yes, I'm for the petition.”

The petition also states that property prices in the community have fallen and the education system has suffered. They hope to get a thousand signatures for the petition.