Governor Lee meets with TBI Director, Memphis Mayor for update on crime

6 hours ago

Nyana Whitelaw,

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For the last two weeks, the Memphis Safe Task Force has been working to reduce violent crime in the city.

Numerous arrests and several investigations targeting violent crime have already been reported.

Tuesday morning, Governor Bill Lee, Mayor Paul Young, and TBI Director David Rausch held a press conference in Memphis for an update on the task force’s efforts.

“850 violent criminals and known gang members have been arrested so far in just the two weeks that we have had this operation underway,” Governor Lee stated. “175 illegal firearms have been confiscated.”

Mayor Paul Young says even with the arrests, there were approximately 9,000 outstanding felony warrants in the community.

“We can’t ask people to put guns down without putting something else in their hands,” Mayor Young said. “The thing that prevents people from moving into a life of crime are the investments that are going to help us sustain the work that we’re doing right now.”

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Another successful part of the operation has been locating missing children in the area. So far, 137 of them have been identified and 45 located and returned to safety.

“Majority of those we encounter have been children who have gone missing, who have run away, and then, they’ve gotten manipulated and then exploited and pulled in to the trafficking situations,” Rausch said.

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With the surge in law enforcement in the area, traffic stops have become more prominent. Governor Lee says eliminating dangerous activities on the roads is a priority.

“The very first thing to do is to get the streets under control, that means traffic stops,” Lee said. “That means stopping people that are speeding, stopping people that are not licensed.”

When asked about the task force’s timeline, the Governor said they could remain active for several months.

“We just begun. We do know that this is going to last for months, and we have just begun. In fact, I will tell you that it will last forever,” Lee said. “The reason I think this will last forever is because what we’re learning about how agencies can collaborate, because these law enforcement agencies are here to stay.”

The increase of officers in the city has also raised concerns over ICE operations in the area. The governor says people shouldn’t worry.

“If they’re not a criminal element, then they shouldn’t be afraid. That’s the goal of what we’re doing here,” Lee said. “We’re trying to make the criminal element be removed from the streets, so people aren’t afraid to go out, so children aren’t afraid to go to a playground.”

Although the surge in officers will diminish at some point, officials hope the state and local collaboration will remain in effect.

As the task force continues to make arrests, local court systems may become overwhelmed. Looking forward, Governor Lee says they have a temporary solution in place, but are looking for something more long-term.