In brief
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee revealed that 13 federal agencies, including the National Guard, will be deployed in Memphis to address crime rates, with a phased arrival beginning next week. The National Guard will support city and state police but won’t carry arms unless requested by local law enforcement. Gov. Lee emphasized that this initiative signifies a 'generational opportunity' to enhance safety in Memphis, asserting that the era of crime is on the verge of being a story of the past.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (PulseWire News) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced today that an influx of federal law enforcement agents will begin operations in Memphis next week to combat rising crime rates.
During a press conference in Memphis alongside local and state officials, the Republican governor stated that the initiative involves 13 federal agencies, city police, and state troopers. The operation will roll out in phases with the National Guard among the participants, although specific arrival dates for the troops were not provided by Lee.
The National Guard members will not be making arrests and will remain unarmed unless armed support is requested by local law enforcement,” Lee said. While the governor indicated the deployment would not exceed more than 150 Guard members, he noted that these figures were still under discussion.
He expressed optimism about the operation, declaring, The story of crime in Memphis is about to be a story of the past.”
According to Governor Lee, agents from key federal agencies such as the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Agency will be part of the joint effort commencing next week. He reassured the public that he would not be declaring a state of emergency.
Memphis is a world-class city. We have a generational opportunity to make it a safe city,” he added.
This deployment follows an announcement from President Donald Trump, who recently indicated plans to send the National Guard to Memphis and signed an order on Sept. 15 to set up a task force of law enforcement agencies for this mission.
A statement on the city’s website clarified that guardsmen and women would be easily identifiable in their uniforms and would not wear masks or deploy armored vehicles during this operation.
