Memphis Safe Task Force Sees Surge in Arrests and Citations

Memphis, TN, October 26, 2025

News Summary

The Memphis Safe Task Force has experienced a significant increase in arrests and traffic citations in its third week of operations. With a total of 1,267 arrests and 11,000 traffic citations issued, the task force’s actions have raised questions among residents about the focus on non-violent offenses. Meanwhile, the presence of the National Guard in Memphis has also escalated, prompting legal challenges regarding their activities. As the task force continues its efforts, community sentiments remain mixed regarding its impact on crime reduction.

Memphis Safe Task Force’s Third Week Sees Arrests Surge While Traffic Citations Spike

The Memphis Safe Task Force is nearing the end of its third week of operations, and recent reports indicate a surge in arrests and traffic citations. As of October 21, 2023, the task force has recorded a total of 1,267 arrests, significantly increasing bookings at Shelby County courts, which have nearly doubled compared to previous periods.

The arrests largely consist of non-violent and immigration-related offenses, with detailed breakdowns revealing a variety of charges. Specifically, there have been 9 homicide arrests, 142 narcotics arrests, 127 firearms charges, 501 warrants served, 2 probation or parole arrests, 51 sex offender charges, and 192 arrests categorized as “other” offenses. The exact number of immigration-related arrests, however, has not been clarified.

In addition to the increase in arrests, there has been a notable increase in traffic enforcement. Approximately 16,000 traffic stops have been conducted since the task force commenced operations, resulting in 11,000 traffic citations issued by various law enforcement agencies since early September. This spike in traffic citations follows the initiation of a new traffic initiative by the Memphis Police Department.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has reported a substantial increase in the National Guard presence in Memphis, with the number of National Guardsmen rising from 64 during the period of October 13-17 to 159 in the week of October 20. While the specific activities of the National Guard in Memphis remain unclear, their deployment has prompted legal action, with Harris and local officials suing Governor Bill Lee over the National Guard’s activities.

Bookings and bail settings in Shelby County have also seen a significant escalation, almost doubling compared to the last two years. Data collected from October 6-12 indicates that bookings in 2023 and 2024 remained consistent, but a marked increase has been recorded for 2023 alone.

The Memphis Safe Task Force has made over 1,400 arrests since its inception and has seized a total of 274 guns. Recent operations have yielded high-profile incidents, including a high-speed chase that led to a significant law enforcement presence. Dermarious Moore was arrested in connection with this incident on charges of felony evading and kidnapping, involving two women who reportedly attempted to escape.

Despite the intensified enforcement efforts, there are mixed feelings among residents regarding the task force’s effectiveness in tackling more serious crimes. Some community members have expressed dissatisfaction, highlighting that the focus on non-violent offenses may not be addressing the root causes of crime in the area.

Key Statistics:

• Total arrests as of Oct. 21: 1,267
• Total traffic stops since initiation: 16,000
• Total traffic citations issued since early September: 11,000
• Guns seized: 274

Arrest Breakdown (as of Oct. 21):

• Homicide arrests: 9
• Narcotics arrests: 142
• Firearms charges: 127
• Warrants served: 501
• Probation or parole arrests: 2
• Sex offender charges: 51
• Other offenses: 192

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Additional Resources

• WREG: 2 Men Arrested and Charged
• FOX13: Traffic Stops in Memphis
• Action News 5: Early Morning Arrest in South Memphis
• Wikipedia: Memphis
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Memphis, Tennessee

Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER

The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.