MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Six months ago the promise from governor Bill Lee was to dedicate more than 50 troopers to the Shelby County area, many of them indefinitely.
But those ABC24 spoke with today tell us they can’t remember the last time they saw THP patrolling in Memphis.
“Cars were stopped," 12-year-old Daylen Jenkins said. "We couldn’t go to the expressway to get back home, so we had to take the long way home. I was like, 'What’s going on?'”
The traffic on I-240 near Poplar Daylen is talking about was as a result of yet another deadly interstate shooting Tuesday night.
Daylen’s dad was with him.
“It’s [becoming] more of a norm, and that’s what I’m scared of," Darriel Jenkins said.,
Governor Bill Lee announced 40 additional troopers from the THP’s motorcycle unit, interdiction team and commercial vehicle unit would support troopers already patrolling the area as part of the preexisting Operation Grizzly, last November.
But those ABC24 spoke with Wednesday afternoon have not seen the after effect of those efforts.
One Memphis woman said she doesn't feel safe driving down the road "because anything can happen at any time in the city.”
ABC24 asked Tennessee Highway Patrol for specific numbers on how many additional troopers are still patrolling in the area. They referred inquiries to Governor Bill Lee’s office, who also did not provide the information.
Nevertheless, Memphis, for so many, is a city where violent crime is not something to get used to. It’s sadly something so many have already gotten used to.
“I’m used to it at this point," 12-year-old Daylen Jenkins said.