MEMPHIS, Tenn. — More National Guardsmen are coming to Memphis, sources confirmed Thursday.
A spokesperson with the Memphis Police Department said the total National Guard presence in Memphis is currently between 140 and 180. That number will increase to about 350.
“Over the next few days, we anticipate the total presence will increase to roughly 350. These men and women are working in the community, serving as additional eyes and ears to support law enforcement,” said Faith King, public affairs manager with MPD.
That would mean between 170 and 210 troops are on their way to Memphis.
But that may not be all. A source with knowledge of the situation says there have been discussions at the Governor’s Office about as many as 900 National Guard members being sent to each of MPD’s nine precincts.
NewsNation local affiliate WREG has reached out to the governor’s office for confirmation and comment.
The first National Guard members officially arrived in the city Oct. 10 and were seen in military gear walking with a police officer down Riverside Drive at Tom Lee Park that morning.
They are assisting local law enforcement with community safety patrols, site security, and traffic control in Memphis, and have primarily been seen near downtown and Midtown entertainment areas including Beale Street, FedExForum, Overton Square and Harbor Town.
“I don’t really see a pressing need for 100 additional law enforcement officers,” especially in light of the overcrowding situation at the county jail, Shelby County Commissioner Britney Thornton said on News 3 At 3.