MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WSMV) - After much anticipation, the National Guard has joined several agencies in Memphis to fight crime.

Their arrival marks the next step in the Memphis Safe Task Force initiative, which launched Monday with a dozen law enforcement agencies in the city.

“I just think that’s it’s concerning, not only for me but for others,” former Shelby County commissioner Van Turner explained. “Crime won’t be solved and can’t be solved by locking everybody up.”

The National Guard is among 13 federal and state agencies participating in a crime fighting initiative in Memphis.

Since Monday, at least 53 people have been arrested and more than 20 guns have been recovered, according to U.S. attorney Pam Bondi.

Local pastor Brandon B. Porter supports the initiative.

“The National Guard a

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