Amid rising crime rates, a former Chicago detective suggests that Chicago could learn from Memphis when addressing its crime crisis. Memphis experienced a dramatic drop in homicides after deploying National Guard members.
Memphis Success: A Model for Crime Reduction
Homicides in Memphis fell by 43.7% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period the previous year. This decline followed President Donald Trump’s order in September 2025 to deploy the National Guard, resulting in troops arriving in Memphis that fall.
On a single Monday night, Chicago witnessed nine shootings that included three fatalities. Among them, two men were critically injured on the Near North Side.
Chicago’s Challenges
Retired Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Eugene Roy criticized Chicago’s crime response. According to Roy, the city does not utilize federal resources adequately amidst a shortage of officers. With 2,500 fewer officers compared to previous years, Chicago struggles to manage its crime levels effectively.
The city paused police training and reduced hiring to approximately 50 recruits monthly due to a budget shortfall of $1.2 billion.
Memphis: A Cooperative Effort
Roy cited Memphis as a “success story” where local and state government successfully partnered with federal authorities. The National Guard and federal law enforcement agencies bolstered Memphis’s crime reduction efforts.
“The presence of police acts as a deterrent,” Roy noted, emphasizing the importance of visible law enforcement in preventing crime.
National Guard Deployment: Proven Strategy
Memphis recorded 67 homicides in the first half of 2026, down from 119 in 2025. Roy suggests Chicago could benefit similarly by mirroring Memphis’s cooperative approach between federal and local governments.
Precedents in Other Cities
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York deployed the National Guard in New York City’s subways to deter crime, reflecting a trend among Democratic leaders to employ the National Guard for crime prevention.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Chicago Police Department and the Illinois governor’s office for comment. For more information or story tips, contact reporter Adam Sabes at [email protected].