MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Safe Task Force consists of approximately 700 federal and state resources, local police Chief C.J. Davis told city council members Tuesday.
National Guard deployment may come Friday, Davis said. She said their presence will be more of a “visibility in hot spot areas” or events.
“We haven’t put a lot of focus on the National Guard right now because the National Guard, in its larger numbers, have not arrived yet,” Davis said. A small advance force is in the arewa for planning before the larger force arrives.
A spokesperson with the task force wasn’t able to verify Davis’ estimate of 700 task force members in the area.
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Memphis has seen a “historic” reduction in crime since January thanks to a new approach to violent crime and gang activity, Davis told council members.
But the city is hoping to get more long-term federal resources to help fight crime in the city, even after the Memphis Safe Task Force leaves, she said.
“We’re not looking for a one-time fix. The city has needed federal support at a larger level for a long, long time,” Davis said. “We’re hoping to get more permanent federal resources, to include more U.S. attorneys.”
Some of the city’s nine police precincts have seen crime drop by up to 65% this year, according to MPD.
Davis said MPD’s Fugitive Unit made over 1,200 arrests this year, while Operation Rolling Thunder made 370 arrests with 92 of them documented gang members.
In a two-week operation that started Sept. 20, MPD issued 1,804 traffic citations for speeding, reckless driving, drive-out tags and impaired driving, Davis said.
“This is all before any task force got here, and I think people should know that,” Councilman Jeff Warren said.
The federal and state support from the Memphis Safe Task Force was officially deployed Sept. 29.
Davis said MPD is making arrests on its own and is also making arrests as part of the federal task force.
MPD currently has 1,917 sworn officers, which is 583 positions short of its full complement.
