This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings gave an update on Operation Winter Freeze, a six-week law enforcement effort to help reduce violent crimes in our communities.

During a news conference Tuesday, Rallings announced officers with MPD’s Organized Crime Unit, Multi Agency Gang Unit, TACT Unit as well as patrol officers worked to identify those individuals responsible for violent crimes like homicide, shootings and aggravated assaults.

“We’ve had reduced interactions with the community. We’ve seen the results of when you actually have less police involvement. 330 homicides,” Rallings said.

Some of the items police say were seized in Operation Winter Freeze

Described by the director as an overall success, the operation led to more than 369 arrests including those with active warrants, and the seizure of drugs, vehicles and at least 148 guns.

The seizures come at a time when lawmakers in Nashville are seeking to pass legislation allowing for permitless carry, a point Rallings and other Memphis leaders have voiced opposition to in the past. He said this operation has shown what previous legislation has done and moving forward with the permitless carry bill would be a mistake.

“So at the same time where our state representatives are on a very scary road to pass permitless carry, we see the results of when they extended the house to the car with individuals carrying stolen guns, illegal guns, prohibited indiviudals carrying guns. Just very alarmed that our state legislature is posied to pass permitless carry. Our governor is waiving around like there’s a victory lap to be taken. I think it’s actually catastrophic,” he said.

Rallings said the department will continue to conduct similar operations to keep our city safe.

Suggest a Correction