Chicago’s Crime Concerns and Successes in Memphis

A former detective from Chicago suggests that the city should consider strategies from Southern cities, particularly Memphis, which has seen a significant drop in murders since the National Guard was deployed to help manage crime.

According to the Metropolitan Mayors Association, homicides in Memphis fell by 43.7% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. This change followed an executive order from President Trump in September 2025, which allowed National Guard troops to be sent to Memphis in the fall.

Just on Monday night, Chicago experienced a surge in violence, with nine shootings reported, three of which were fatal. One of those incidents resulted in serious injuries to two men in the Near North Side area.

Eugene Roy, a former chief of detectives in Chicago, pointed out that the city isn’t making full use of federal resources to tackle its crime wave, especially considering the ongoing shortage of police officers. “Chicago has about 2,500 fewer officers than it had just a few years ago,” he noted. “We can’t keep doing more with less. We have to address that.” He emphasized that there’s not much collaboration between local and federal authorities when it comes to proactive policing.

The city’s police force has faced further challenges since it halted training academies in November 2025, cutting hiring to roughly 50 officers per month, all while managing a substantial budget deficit of $1.2 billion.

Roy cited Memphis as a model for effective cooperation between local and federal government in combating crime. “The material I’ve reviewed indicates that the leadership in Memphis—from the governor to city officials—found ways to work together, and as a result, they’ve seen tangible outcomes,” he remarked.

He believes the presence of law enforcement serves as a deterrent to crime, suggesting that, ideally, it would encourage potential offenders to think twice. “If the police are around, people might reconsider committing crimes,” he added.

In the first half of 2026, Memphis recorded 67 homicides, a stark decline from the 119 reported during the same period a year prior.

Roy mentioned that mobilizing the National Guard in a similar manner in Chicago could potentially replicate the positive results seen in Memphis. He also recalled that it’s not unusual for a Democratic governor to use National Guard troops for crime deterrence, referencing New York’s Governor Cathy Hochul, who deployed troops to subways in March 2024 following a wave of violence.

The situation in Chicago remains pressing, with calls for improved collaboration and resource allocation to effectively combat crime. Audience engagement and community feedback on this situation might add value as local leaders strategize on the way forward.