A former Chicago detective suggests that Chicago should consider a strategy used by a southern city to tackle its crime issues. Memphis, Tennessee has seen a significant drop in homicides since the National Guard’s presence in the city. Data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association indicates that homicides in Memphis decreased by 43.7% during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This followed an executive order by President Donald Trump in September 2025, authorizing the deployment of the National Guard.
The situation in Chicago remains challenging, with nine shootings occurring on a single Monday night, resulting in three deaths. In one of the incidents, two men suffered critical injuries due to gunfire in the Near North Side neighborhood.
“When we were in our living room, and we thought that another sporadic rainstorm hit Chicago, so we go outside in the windows, next thing you know, we just hear like lights everywhere,” one resident described to FOX 32.
Retired Chicago Police Chief of Detectives, Eugene Roy, expressed concern over Chicago’s use of federal resources in combating crime, especially with a declining number of officers. “Chicago has 2,500 fewer police officers compared to two or three years ago,” Roy stated. “We can’t continue to do more with less.” He noted a lack of cooperation between local and federal authorities, affecting street-level preventive policing efforts.
The city’s police force shortage worsened following a 2025 decision to pause training and slow new recruit hiring to approximately 50 per month. This was a response to a $1.2 billion budget deficit.
Roy highlighted Memphis as a “success story” of effective cooperation between local, state, and federal agencies. When the National Guard and federal law enforcement increased their presence, the city saw notable improvements. “Memphis is a clear example that collaboration can yield significant results,” Roy explained, noting some reluctance initially at the city level.
He emphasized that the visible presence of police acts as a deterrent to crime. “If done properly, this approach is invaluable,” he added.
- Memphis recorded 67 homicides in the first half of 2026, down from 119 in 2025, as reported by the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
Roy believes Chicago could see similar results by implementing a cooperative effort, mirroring successful strategies of other cities. He also noted that it’s not unusual for Democratic governors to deploy the National Guard to combat crime, citing New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul, who sent over 1,000 National Guard members to New York City subways in 2024 to enhance safety.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Chicago Police Department and the Illinois governor’s office for their comments on this matter.