A senior FBI agent spoke to the Memphis Rotary Club on November 4, 2025, about the Memphis Safe Task Force’s progress in combating crime, including a significant rise in arrests and seizures. The agent outlined the task force’s efforts, described a “zero-tolerance strategy,” and shared concerns about the city’s overcrowded jails and the need for ongoing cooperation between federal and local law enforcement.
What Happened
The FBI agent addressed a crowd of local business and civic leaders at the Memphis Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon, where he provided updates on the Memphis Safe Task Force’s operations. The task force, launched in September by President Trump, was formed to reduce violent crime in Memphis and is led by U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta. While the FBI is part of the task force, it is not the lead agency. The agent shared that the task force had made impressive strides in the city, making nearly 2,000 arrests in just over a month of operations, including 134 gang members.
“The arrests and the guns and drugs we’ve seized as a result of this strategy are eye-popping,” the agent said, praising the task force’s success. He also warned Rotarians that they may be pulled over for minor infractions, such as a broken taillight or an unreadable license plate, under the task force’s zero-tolerance approach.
As of November 4, the government reported that 340 guns had been seized and 88 missing children had been located through the task force’s efforts. The agent emphasized that many of the guns seized were military-style pistols, including Glocks with illegal switches that convert them into machine guns.
The Memphis Safe Task Force’s Operations
The agent provided an overview of the Memphis Safe Task Force’s activities, noting that the task force comprises not only FBI agents but also officers from local, state, and federal agencies. He praised the collaboration between law enforcement agencies, calling Memphis’s crime-fighting partnerships “top notch.” The agent also noted that while the National Guard had been deployed in Memphis in a limited capacity, they had not yet fully ramped up their presence.
With the task force’s strategy targeting street-level crime, the agent highlighted the ongoing issue of overcrowded jails in Shelby County, noting that recent deaths in the local jail complex have raised concerns. Law enforcement is currently exploring alternative solutions for housing arrested individuals.
C.R.I.M.E. Team: A Successful Precursor
Before the formation of the Memphis Safe Task Force, the agent explained, a quieter phase of crime-fighting took place under an FBI-led initiative called the C.R.I.M.E. Team, which stands for Crime Reduction In Memphis. This program, which ran from May to September 2025, produced nearly 500 arrests and resulted in almost 150 federal indictments. The C.R.I.M.E. Team was so successful that it laid the groundwork for the later creation of the task force.
Despite some challenges in staffing and resources, the FBI remains committed to Memphis. The agent acknowledged the shortage of agents, citing that the FBI is currently operating about 2,000 agents short of its full staffing capacity. The agency is actively recruiting to fill the gap.
Congressional Support and Questions
Congressman Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) attended the luncheon and expressed support for the FBI and DEA’s work in Memphis but voiced concerns about the increased presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the city. The agent assured Cohen that very few FBI resources were directed toward immigration enforcement, noting that the agency’s focus remains on violent crime and gang-related activity in the area.
The conversation also touched on staffing issues within the FBI, with Cohen asking how many agents had been let go due to the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) policies. The agent responded that the FBI had largely been spared from the effects of DOGE but acknowledged the staffing shortfall.
The Future of the Task Force
The FBI agent concluded his remarks by expressing optimism about the task force’s continued success. He emphasized that there is no end date for the task force’s operations and that law enforcement will keep working tirelessly to reduce crime in Memphis. The agent’s presentation reinforced the task force’s commitment to public safety and its zero-tolerance approach to crime, particularly violent offenses and gang activity.
Closing line
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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