MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A multi-agency law enforcement initiative aimed at reducing violent crime in Memphis ended 2025 with a significant number of arrests and weapons seizures, according to officials.
The Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF) — composed of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners along with members of the Tennessee National Guard — reported that since its launch in October, it has arrested 4,698 violent fugitives as part of ongoing efforts to clear outstanding warrants, seize illegal firearms, and enhance public safety.
Officials said the task force also seized more than 750 guns during its operations, reflecting a concentrated effort to remove illegally possessed firearms from the streets of Memphis.
In addition to arrests and weapons seizures, the task force reported the successful and safe recovery of 132 missing children during its first several months of operation. The initiative has worked to locate juveniles who were previously reported as missing to law enforcement agencies.
Among those arrested were individuals charged with serious offenses, including homicide, sexual offenses, and controlled-substance violations. The task force also identified gang members and apprehended suspects wanted for violent crimes.
Task force leadership described the year-end results as a demonstration of collaborative law enforcement efforts to address violent crime and improve community safety. They said the initiative will continue its mission into 2026, focusing on fugitive apprehension, illegal gun interdiction, and support for missing-person investigations.
The Memphis Safe Task Force was established as a response to elevated crime rates in the region, aiming to combine resources from multiple agencies to accelerate arrests of violent offenders and to disrupt criminal activity across jurisdictional lines.
