The Tennessee Highway Patrol announced Wednesday it is partnering with the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to help combat the rash of interstate shootings that have been occurring since January.

THP said through its six-week “Operation Grizzly Bear” enforcement initiative, it plans to put 30 troopers on the interstates in hopes of stemming shootings. There have been 32 reported shootings this year on Memphis-area highways. 

“It is unacceptable and it is our duty to assist Memphis with this problem that is going on, on our interstate systems,” Capt. Jimmy Johnson of the highway patrol said.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland agreed, adding: “I am absolutely fed up with seeing it as the lead on the news or reading it in newspapers. I am fed up with our citizens not feeling safe.”

Strickland called the partnership with THP an “all hands on deck approach” to solve the issue. He said Memphis police and the Sheriff's office have already been out in force patrolling the interstates since the shootings began.

Authorities said the shootings have occurred on the interstate systems throughout the city between the hours of 12 p.m. and 3 a.m. They plan to have officers in marked and unmarked cars on the interstates to catch shooters. They also hope their presence will serve as a warning, officials said.

“We are fed up with it and will do everything in our power to enforce laws, prosecute and incarcerate and convict those individuals that are committing these crimes,” MPD Deputy Director Mike Ryall said.