Memphis residents are welcoming President Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard to combat violent crime in their city, according to a White House press release.
The plan to deploy federal resources comes as Memphis faces the highest violent crime rate in the nation.
Memphis residents say they’re desperate for relief from carjackings, shootings, and robberies that have made daily life dangerous.
“It’s just so dangerous that you can’t get out of your car. You can’t go to the grocery store. You can’t go to the market or the service station. So, yeah, I want to see the crime stop — and if the National Guard is going to stop the crime, bring them on,” said Memphis resident Olympia Pritchard, per WREG 3.
A local tax service owner expressed similar relief: “We’re grateful for the National Guard coming,” said Carmen Milagros, according to WREG.
The violence has touched residents across the city. One Memphis man was recently awakened by a barrage of gunfire striking his home.
“Everybody turns the cheek when it’s not in their ZIP code, but it’s becoming a problem for everybody,” he said, Fox 13 reported.
Carjackings have become particularly brazen. A Memphis mother recently faced armed robbers twice within five minutes, she told Fox 13.
“I got two guns put in my face within five minutes … at two different locations,” Regina Seymour said. “I was scared, and I was just hoping he didn’t shoot me.”
A 60-year-old carjacking victim suffered a head injury after being body slammed.
“I honestly thought he was going to kill me,” said the woman, who chose to remain anonymous out of fear, WREG reported.
Local crime prevention organizations support the federal assistance.
“There’s a need for more boots on the ground,” said Durell Cowen, the executive director of Heal 901.
Recent headlines paint a grim picture of the city’s crime wave.
Drive-by shootings, carjackings, and robberies dominate local news coverage, the White House said, citing more than 30 news reports of violent crimes that have taken place over the summer in the Memphis area.
The violence spans neighborhoods from North Memphis to Midtown to Hickory Hill. Victims range from elderly residents mowing lawns to Uber drivers.
The President has blamed “failed Democrat policies” for creating the crisis Memphis now faces.