Lifelong Memphis resident Wesley Wright first involved himself in community safety issues 15 years ago, when he was just starting a family. The now-father of two, educator, and trained pastor was living in Midtown Memphis when he experienced two home break ins, spurring him to take a leadership role in his community. He organized community watch programs, worked with law enforcement, and used digital platforms to rally neighbors around protecting their safety. 

Fast forward a decade and a half, and Wesley is still leading his community in standing up for their own safety. Now a City Commissioner in Lakeland, TN, just outside of Memphis, Wesley champions safety programs, including the Lakeland city government’s partnership with Flock Safety.

“We have this beautiful backdrop, where we want to encourage walkability, connectivity, health, balance of life,” said Wesley about Lakeland. The city earns its name, featuring lush greenery surrounding large blue lakes. Neighborhoods are nestled between the hills, with nature paths, picnic tables, and family areas interspersed throughout. 

 “Flock fits into that because of its subtle presence,” continued Wesley, who also owns a local small business in Memphis. “It’s not an eyesore — it gives you safety but doesn’t take away from the beauty around you.”

Wesley had been serving in city government for about two years when a friend at a neighboring HOA gave him a demo of the Flock Safety camera system. He was “just blown away.”

Flock Safety Fits Into the Lakeland Landscape

While Lakeland is considered a very safe community, ranking as one of the Best Places to Raise a Family in Tennessee, every community experiences neighborhood crime. 

Wesley considers it his job to minimize crime as much as possible. With his backing, in 2019, the City of Lakeland purchased and installed 20 Flock Safety license plate readers around the community. 

“We put it at major thoroughfares leading in and out of the municipality, not at any interior roads into a neighborhood,” said Wesley. The city works with local law enforcement when any crime occurs and access to the footage is limited to protect residents’ privacy.  

The Flock Safety camera network provides additional assurance to Wesley and residents of Lakeland. Law enforcement know that in jurisdictions like the suburbs of Memphis, suspects often travel amongst different communities to commit property crime. Flock Safety allows Lakeland and local law enforcement to stretch their net wider in pursuit of solving crime. 

“It’s paramount that municipalities work together. The network gives us assurance; it makes people feel safer. If you don’t choose Flock, I think you would kind of be putting yourself on an island.”

While the city reaps the benefits of increased safety coverage, it doesn’t have to deal with maintenance or upkeep. By working with Flock Safety, Lakeland city government knows that everything — from installation to eventual maintenance — is handled. 

“It’s completely hands off. If there are any issues, Flock takes care of it — upgrades, repairs, anything,” shared Wesley. “It makes it a lot easier for a municipality to be on board.”

As he begins his fourth year as a Commissioner after being re-elected in 2020, Wesley reflects on the partnership with Flock Safety as one of his major contributions to his city government. 

“When you have kids, your whole life changes. You start looking at things differently; you think about the greater good of your street, your neighborhood, and your community beyond that.”

“It’s a passion of mine to help lead our city in the right direction, and Flock is part of it.”