Crime & Public Safety Concerns - Memphis has experienced significant crime reduction in the last two years and aims to maintain this trend through investments in prevention, intervention, and law enforcement partnerships [2] - Community members express concerns and fear regarding the potential deployment of the National Guard in Memphis [11] - Shelby County Mayor views the presence of military personnel with weapons and armored vehicles as "anti-democratic" and "anti-American" [9] Government & Resource Allocation - The Mayor of Memphis seeks a partnership with the federal government for necessary resources, noting budget cuts [1] - The city aims to align the activities of the National Guard with community needs [3] - The Tennessee state government has been a partner with Memphis on several initiatives, including funding for violent crime intervention and support from the Tennessee Highway Patrol [7][8] National Guard Deployment & Potential Use - Memphis is exploring how the National Guard can support the city, including blight reduction and traffic coordination during major events [15] - The city faces a deficit of 300 to 500 police officers, and the National Guard could potentially assist in non-law enforcement capacities [15] - Discussions are ongoing to determine the National Guard's patrolling areas, attire, and work schedule [11]