National Guard troops were seen patrolling in Downtown Memphis on Oct. 13. At least eight Guard members were seen on Main Street at different points during the day, talking with pedestrians and accompanied by a Memphis Police Department officer. Another group of Guard members was seen walking onto Beale Street early on Oct. 13.

Candace Echols says she walks the line between “a willingness to satisfy my human craving for a good run” and “a consent to be on high alert.”

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the guard is on the ground and operating as one of the many agencies on the Memphis Safe Task Force. However, the DOJ said due to operational security they will not provide the specific number of troops or where they will be located.

Tennessee National Guard patrols began today in Memphis, according to an update on a city-run website. Guard troops were observed Downtown.