Memphis residents react to Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard to the city

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — President Trump is aiming to combat the consistent violent history in Memphis using the same enforcement demonstrated in Washington D.C.

Friday, we visited downtown Memphis to gauge how Memphians felt about the decision.

“I think there could be certain people that are agitated. The only people that would probably agitate is probably the perpetrators themselves. I think this city has always had a bad crime problem and a lot of it comes down to the city funding and how we appropriate our budget towards police efforts and everything else. I don’t see why anyone would ever have a problem with federal resources coming down to Memphis to try to solve these problems,” said Jacks Perkins, Memphis resident. “If I had friends coming in town I’m generally telling them not to stay downtown. Go stay up in Germantown or Cordova–in places like that. I don’t know why it needs to be that way,” said Perkins.

We asked one resident if she would feel safer walking the streets with national troops present.

“It’s a lot better than what is was, but if they come it will be even better,” said Clemmie Timberlake.

Timberlake also tells us her thoughts on the mayor’s efforts for handling crime in the city.

“I’ll say he’s doing the best he can. As far as things going now I think he’s doing the best he can do,” said Timberlake.

One long-term resident says he’s hopeful about the deployment.

“It’s going to make the crime rate go down a whole lot. I’ve been living in Memphis all my life, I’m 25. You feel me?” said Rafael Allen, Memphis resident.

Political officials in the region are responding to President Trump’s decision to deploy the national guard to Memphis.

Statements released by the mayor of Memphis and State Senator London Lamar oppose the president’s decision.

Friday, Gov. Bill Lee issued a statement on the strategic mission to address crime in Memphis. Congressman David Kustoff and Senator Marsha Blackburn are also in favor of the additional assistance being sent to Memphis.

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