MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Monday marks the start of operations for the Memphis Safe Task Force. Thirteen agencies, including the National Guard, are making their way to the Bluff City.
“Following the president’s highly successful operation to combat violent crime in DC, which objectively drove down crime rates across the board, the president has set his sights on making Memphis safe again!” said Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman. “The president’s decision to address crime in Memphis will benefit all who live in and visit Memphis.”
The goal of the operation is to stop violent crime across Memphis and Shelby County. Right now, it’s just a waiting game until residents can see boots on the ground in full force.
“We [as citizens] may not know exactly when the bulk of the federal law enforcement agencies get here because, as you pointed out, they don’t wear uniforms,” said Kevin Rardin, a retired assistant Shelby County DA, JAG officer, and military lawyer. “Now, we’ll know when the soldiers are here because they do wear uniforms.”
Right now, it’s still unclear how many troops and agents will be in Memphis, where they will be positioned and what exactly they will be doing.
According to the City of Memphis’ website on its federal and state support tab, the National Guard is serving as extra eyes and ears in neighborhoods, assisting local, state, and federal agencies.
Federal agencies are providing specialized support, from crime prevention to blight reduction and homelessness services.
“We’re going to see more arrests,” said Rardin. “Now, some of those arrests will go into the federal system, but based on my 40 years of experience, the federal government is not going to take all of those cases.”
Rardin said instead, a bulk of those cases will go to the Shelby County Jail, where criminals will be charged with state violations of law even if a federal agent makes the arrest. He said it will overwhelm an already slow 201 Poplar.
“The positive impacts of these arrests will be greatly diminished if the cases are bogged down and we don’t see timely convictions and timely sentences,” said Rardin.
Meaning, 201 Poplar is going to need more resources like additional prosecutors and clerks, according to Rardin.
Action News 5 did reach out to Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris for a comment. We have not yet heard back.
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