WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — The West Memphis Police Department called a press conference Wednesday morning to discuss concerns from residents about the National Guard deployment to Memphis.
Both residents and law enforcement have expressed concerns that a significant portion of the criminal element in Memphis may flee to Arkansas while the National Guard is deployed throughout the city.
“Throughout the city where there are events being held, you will see an increase in police presence,” said West Memphis Police Chief Robbin Campbell, Jr. “Southland Casino will have additional police coverage as needed. We will be monitoring the calls for service to see if there’s an increase as a result of the National Guard’s arrival in Memphis.”
The chief called on residents, visitors, and tourists to contact law enforcement if they see any suspicious activity, saying, “If you see something, say something.”
Campbell said the priority was to ensure the safety and security of residents of West Memphis and Crittenden County. He said authorities will not allow people to be preyed upon by criminals looking for temporary victims while their traditional areas are off-limits.
“Anyone that crosses the mighty Mississippi River on either bridge traveling westbound looking to commit crimes is going to find out real quick that you would probably rather deal with the National Guard rather than us,” Campbell said.
President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum establishing the “Memphis Safe Task Force,” which will deploy federal law enforcement and Tennessee National Guard units to Memphis to combat rising crime.
The Task Force will include the FBI, ATF, DEA, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals, and will coordinate with state and local authorities, including the Memphis Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol.
According to the memorandum, the guard deployment is being requested under Title 32 (which preserves state control) and will assist in “hypervigilant policing, aggressive prosecution, complex investigations, financial enforcement,” and a “large-scale saturation” of high-crime neighborhoods.
Trump framed the move as a replica of his strategy in Washington, D.C., arguing that the approach has been “extraordinarily successful.”
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