Memphis Gets a Helping Hand to Fight Crime

Memphis is getting some extra help to tackle crime. The state of Tennessee is sending in more than just local cops. They are bringing in federal agents and the National Guard. This is not a small operation. It involves many different agencies working together. The goal is to make the city safer. The National Guard will not be out there making arrests or carrying weapons. They will be there to support the local police and federal agents. The exact number of troops is still being figured out. But it will not be a small number. The city officials want to make sure this help is used in the best way possible. The plan is to start with agents from the FBI, ATF, and DEA. They will arrive next week. The state is also putting money into public safety projects in Memphis. They are allocating $100 million for this. Plus, they are sending 300 state troopers. Around 100 of them will be on duty in the county at any given time. This is not the first time federal help has been sent to a city. President Trump announced that Memphis would be a target city for federal intervention. He did this after a request from Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena. Vena has ties to Memphis through his former role on the FedEx board. The local agencies already have thousands of officers and deputies. But this extra help is seen as necessary. Ongoing operations in the city have already led to about 500 arrests and more than 100 federal indictments since May. The hope is that this new task force will make a big difference.