Frequency Distribution of Repeat Offenders

Here is a distribution of the repeat offenders who have been arrested 10 or more times in Shelby County:

Number of Arrests
200 = 1
150 - 159 = 1
140 - 149 = 1
100 - 109 = 2
110 - 119 = 4
120 - 129 = 5
130 - 139 = 5
90 - 99 = 6
80 - 89 = 13
70 - 79 = 28
60 - 69 = 44
50 - 59 = 54
40 - 49 = 194
30 - 39 = 685
20 - 29 = 2800
10 - 19 = 13541


The total number is 17,383 individuals. That is more than the population of Millington, TN which had a population of 10433 according to the 2000 census.

I was discussing this issue today with a friend who happens to also be a Democrat and a retired Deputy. I said once a person hits that tenth arrest they should be given increased attention. He said no way, they should get three strikes and that's it. Well, I agree, but we have to be realistic. Considering the volume of people (over 15,000) who have been arrested 10 or more times, it would be very hard to deal with those below that. Either way, something needs to be done, and done soon.