Memphis Resident Discusses Impact of Federal Crime Task Force Amid Local DA Controversy

<p>A Memphis mother stated that President Donald Trump’s federal crime crackdown has reduced gun violence in her neighborhood, allowing her children to play outside safely. Dalisia Ballinger shared her experiences with Fox News Digital, noting, "For once, I’m walking to my mailbox and it’s quiet... I’m seeing children play in the middle of the street. I’m seeing fathers playing football."</p><p>Ballinger, a former journalist and victim of violent crime, has become a vocal supporter of the Memphis Safe Task Force, which is celebrating its first year of operation. This initiative has sparked a conflict with Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, a Democrat, who is currently involved in a lawsuit against two new state oversight laws. These laws have prompted a petition urging him to disclose how his office manages cases related to the task force.</p><p>Trump established the multi-agency operation through a presidential memorandum on September 15, 2025, directing federal, state, and local authorities to collaborate on combating street and violent crime in Memphis. The task force is led by the U.S. Marshals Service and includes members of the Tennessee National Guard.</p><p>As of September 15, the White House reported that the operation had resulted in 12,747 arrests, including 131 homicide arrests, 1,276 firearms arrests, and 1,408 arrests of known gang members. The task force has also confiscated 2,160 illegal firearms and recovered 189 missing children.</p><p>Overall crime in Memphis reportedly decreased by nearly 36% compared to the previous year, with murders dropping 36%, robberies falling 42%, and vehicle thefts declining by 57%, according to White House statistics. However, city data indicated a decline in crime prior to the task force's implementation, and it remains unclear how much of the reduction can be attributed directly to the federal initiative.</p><p>Ballinger expressed that the changes have allowed her children to play outdoors without fear, recalling a past incident where a shooting occurred nearby. She stated, "We’ve been begging for years for our local leaders for assistance and for help. My children deserve peace, and with the Memphis Safe Task Force being here, we’ve finally been able to get that peace."</p><p>Despite the arrests made by the task force, Ballinger and other supporters argue that the effectiveness of these actions is undermined if prosecutors later reduce or dismiss cases without explanation. A Change.org petition titled "Stop Memphis DA From Protecting Criminals" has gathered nearly 10,000 verified signatures, calling on Mulroy to abandon his lawsuit against the Memphis Safe Task Force Accountability Act and another law that allows the Tennessee attorney general to audit his office's decisions regarding task force cases.</p><p>The accountability law requires Mulroy’s office to report every 10 business days on any settlements or dismissals of charges arising from the task force. Mulroy contends that these laws unfairly target Shelby County and infringe on the discretion of locally elected prosecutors.</p><p>Ballinger, a leading voice in the petition, stated, "Thanks to President Trump, the Memphis Safe Task Force has delivered more for this city in one year than anyone thought possible." She emphasized that the petition is not merely a partisan effort against a Democratic prosecutor, asserting, "We have children. We have regular people that might not even be into politics. We deserve peace."</p><p>The task force has faced criticism from organizations such as the ACLU of Tennessee, which, along with several Memphis residents, has accused agents of aggressive policing and retaliation against individuals recording law enforcement activities. Four residents have filed a federal lawsuit alleging harassment and unlawful arrests while exercising their First Amendment rights. These allegations remain unproven in court, while supporters of the task force cite thousands of arrests and significant crime reductions as evidence of its success.</p><p>Ballinger acknowledged the need for legitimate complaints to be addressed but believes they do not warrant dismantling an operation that has improved her neighborhood. She stated, "I’m all for fairness, and I’m all for law and order. If we need to go back to the table [and] restructure so that people can feel safe, we can definitely put that on the board."</p><p>For Ballinger, the anniversary of the task force is not just about statistics but about the visible changes in her community, noting, "It was noticeably enough to where it’s like, ‘Wow, there’s kids actually outside playing.’" Fox News Digital reached out to Mulroy’s office for comment.</p>