Jackson Free Press

The Clarion-Ledger ran a piece today about the impact of Melton's state of emergency. The short version is that the state of emergency is more a rhetorical gesture than an actual change in policy.

The article states: While the proclamation declared an earlier curfew for minors by one hour on weeknights and two hours on weekends, police officials said no additional enforcement measures would be taken.

Like the previous curfew, it will be enforced through the regular course of police patrol, Jackson Police Department Cmdr. Lee Vance said.

So, as with the regular youth curfew, the new curfew will only be opportunistically enforced. In other words, most of the time, the police will ignore kids out on the streets after curfew. Is some kid is annoying them, or if they can't get the kid on anything else, then the curfew comes into play. That arbitrary element is one of many reasons why the regular youth curfew ordinance is a clumsy, ill-conceived law.

Another point of absurdity: The mayor changed the weeknight curfew time from 8, which was in the emergency proclamation drafted by the city attorney on Tuesday, to 9. He said he didn't want to deprive youth of the last bit of summer daylight.

"It doesn't really get dark until then. We need to get kids in the house when it's dark," Melton said.

So is this a crisis or not? Is it an emergency or not? If it is, then do we really need to worry about letting kids get the most out of their summertime light? Do we need daylight savings time for an "emergency" crackdown?

There is some nice vitriol from Sheriff McMillan, who says he hasn't talked to Melton in weeks and has not been contacted about the new curfew. "The time to discuss that with me is prior to taking action," McMillin said. "It is inappropriate to announce that and then tell me about it."

There is this bit of nonsense from Sgt. Perry Martin: "The curfew has not been a deterrent in juvenile crime but has been there to help to eliminate some of our criminal activity by young people," Martin said.

Er, what does that mean? My most charitable guess is that he means that youth aren't scared of the curfew but because it allows the police to get kids off the street, it winds up reducing youth crime. The evidence actually points to the opposite--the more youth you have on the street, the less crime there is, because the more people who are out watching, the less opportunity there is for people to mug and steal. This is a consequence of the fact that most young people are not criminals. That point seems to be lost on this administration, however. So, either Martin is making no sense, or he is making a point that is not true.

Finally, there is this bit of craziness from Mayor Melton: "And if this doesn't straighten up, then I will implement a curfew, a daytime curfew, on the kids," he said. "And I will hold the parents accountable."

A daytime curfew? In other words, ban kids from being outside altogether? Yes, that's a great idea.

Previous Commentsshow

Excellent, Brian. I can't wait until his dumb ass realizes there aren't any fathers around in many instances to hold accountable. I thought Frank understood the crisis in the black and poor communities until he started talking about arresting the fathers too. If he can discern and locate those fathers Human Services and the mothers of those children would be much obliged too.

Ray Carter

Jun 23 2006

This has turned to be one of the worst "jokes" tat Melton has produced. This is another case of the mayor sidstepping the real issue. I believe that he really dosen't have a clue as how to reduce crime in the capitol city. It's so easy to say "let's keep the children inside after dark". He probably will get an amen, but this does nothing for reducing crime. I agree with Ray, his statement about arresting the fathers in these instances is much easier said than done. This ineffective mayor is totally out of his element. Crime in Jackson is not impossible to solve, it's just something that Melton is completely clueless.

lance

Jun 23 2006

Yeah, when you talk to the elder folks of Jackson, they think this is a good idea to protect them. The true tragedy is that they have to rely on these tactics to supposedly protect them from an unknown assailant because the Mayors says it will help.

pikersam

Jun 23 2006

What has stunned me is the odd combination of the love FM claims to have for the children and his apparent belief that all children are criminals. As someone who has worked with high school kids, I can categorically say that (1) teenagers are not all bad and (2) people who show an honest interest in a teenager (or, I believe, any child or adult) can have a positive impact on that teenager. I worked with high school kids that were told to their face they weren't as good as other kids and weren't to be trusted: we found common ground, encouraged each other, and proved that not only were "my" kids as good as the other kids, they could be trusted and they could succeed. It's been a few years, but I still see these kids (now college students or gainfully employed). We remember, rejoice, and I continue to encourage. Newt I think FM's cleaning business could be a useful thing in the same vein: encourage, learn to succeed, build on success. But I still find it hard to reconcile his repeated demonization of youth with his stated love for youth.

Newt

Jun 23 2006

Juvenile curfews DON'T WORK!! It's a waste of time and money at the expense of taxpayers and police officers. It also opens the city up to potential lawsuits. The following prove that this curfew ordinance was not well thought out: –National data indicate that juvenile crime peaks at 3:00 p.m. and again at 6:00 p.m.—well before curfews take effect. Therefore, even if curfews were effective, they would reach only a small percentage of the violent juvenile crime in the community. Nocturnal juvenile curfews thus target a relatively small portion of the criminal landscape--likely less than 2 percent of all violent crime. --NO empirical research has yet demonstrated that curfews have any appreciable effect on rates of juvenile crime. --Anyone who looks remotely close to 18 years of age is fair game for an investigatory stop and interrogation. It gives officers carte blanche "authority" to engage in arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement practices, simply due to race, class, and other biases. --A curfew places every law-abiding youth under some form of home detention so that a relatively small number of serious juvenile offenders might remain inside as well. -- Curfews likely have the greatest impact on the activities of those youths who are least likely to commit crimes, and bar them from engaging in a variety of socially productive activities.

Joerob

Jun 24 2006

Here's the update on how the curfew is working from the paper today. Of course we can't have an article withoutThe Ego making a statement: "I have a lot of latitude (under the emergency order) because we are dealing with a very serious situation," the mayor said. and this: Melton said the curfew will stand until he feels it is no longer needed, though he will review the emergency order every five days. "I'm going to see how people are going to behave," he said. Thanks daddy! If Melton wasn't rich, he would be alone!

pikersam

Jun 24 2006

Joerob, I'll disagree with that somewhat. I'm thinking of New Orleans more than anything. Those kids that were killed last week had no business being out at 4AM period. None. nada (leaving aside for the moment they were druggies involved in an earlier drive by shooting). No teenager should be on the streets after a certain time and I don't mind giving ithe cops a tool to do that. however, this stuff Melton is doing is total crap.

Kingfish

Jun 24 2006

Just left McDade's Maywood Mart parking lot, where there where four, what looked to be teenagers or early twenty year olds, being questioned by the JPD with one in hand cuffs. I asked inside one of the stores as to what was going on, and was told that they were arrested/detained for trying to buy sudaphedrin. The cars that were being searched had Madison County tags.

malt

Jun 24 2006

FYI: a teen was wounded by gunshot across the street from me on Meadowbrook. 8 young men questioned and present at the scene. The curfew is BS and spin... The crime problem is officially in my front yard and many front/back yards of Fondren. Y'all look for me giving the cameras "the bird" as they tried to film me and my house. ;-) Oh, and the C-L reporter didn't seem to want to take their litter in my yard back to Gannett...

kaust

Jun 24 2006

I'm glad that there's a curfew. I live in Belhaven and was attacked 2 weeks ago (while I was jogging) by 5 African-American males. They wanted money. None were over the age of 15, and the one who was doing the most talking was the youngest and smallest. They were as scary as any adults. I was very lucky to get away from them and home to my husband, who (with some other neighborhood husbands) chased the guys down, and held them until the cops came. These kids were in Belhaven specifically to harass someone. None of them live anywhere near here. They are unsupervised at home, left to wander and cause trouble. I have never felt as scared to live in Jackson as I do today.

Belhaver

Jun 24 2006

Belhaven, it's so unfortunate that you were attacked by those outlaws. You're fortunate not to have been seriously injured. Those five boys should be prosecuted for their actions. Should the 95 plus percent of law-abiding Jackson youth suffer for what these guys did to you? They're being lumped together with juvenile criminals who could care less about following some curfew. I think we're giving the criminals too much power. We should go after the actual criminals, not the law-abiding youth.

Joerob

Jun 24 2006

Belhaver, That is awful. I've lived in Belhaven for a year and never had any trouble, but then I'm a white male. Fierce and all that. What time was it? I do not mean, in any way, to reduce the terror you experienced, but was it after 10 p.m.? Or 9 p.m.? If not, the curfew wouldn't have helped, even theoretically. Even in the best case, youth curfews are either a) largely unenforced, or b) a waste of police resources. The police need to respond to real threats, like the one you experienced. The kids you were unfortunate enough to encounter were breaking the law, at any time of day or night. I am sorry you had such a terrible experience.

Brian C Johnson

Jun 24 2006

where in Belhaven were you when they accosted you? Did they get arrested? Did the police follow through?

Izzy

Jun 25 2006

Ol' Ronie trots out another editorial balsting Melton. This time about not having a crime reduction plan. Ronnie this was obvious during the election; but, you wanted the man of soundbite instead of the man of substance! Do you not feel somewhat responsible? Are you willing to republish your editorials from the election? You could have at least pointed out that Mayor Johnson had a plan, had a real chief, and it was working. Instead you write this flatout untruth: The fault I have with Melton is in methodology. Jackson has been headed down this slope for years. What took decades to break will take longer than six months to fix. It was being fixed until Spring of last year! And this statement about chaos at City Hall plays into what malt pointed out in another blog. Criminals aren't all stupid; they know chaos when they see it. And right now in Jackson City Hall, at Frank Central, chaos abounds. What malt was saying is "chaos" is used by alcoholics to control their family members in various ways. It distracts them from the real problem, the alcoholic, and leaves a family in fear of "what will they do next." Good points malt!

pikersam

Jun 25 2006

It was about 6 or 6:30, nowhere near dark. I know that in my situation the curfew wouldn't have helped. I guess I'm just so scared now that any move towards anything makes me feel a tiny bit better. I think Frank Melton is an absolute NUT. I feel like he's flushing any chance of my feeling safe in Jackson down the toilet. I've lived in Belhaven for almost 3 years, and nothing remotely close to this has ever happened to me. My husband and I are devoted to this neighborhood, and would never want to live anywhere else in Jackson, but the fact that I can't jog alone in broad daylight SUCKS. Especially since I was only 4 blocks from my house. For the person who asked, I was accosted near the corner of Belhaven and Hazel. Yep, right in the middle of a nice, safe street. And they did arrest all 5 of the guys, and they're charging one of them with assault. I have to go down to the police station this week and give an affidavit. I can't wait to throw the book at this punk. I have compassion for so many of the kids in this city, but not these guys. They were mean and SO threatening. I want to throw up just thinking about the way they made me feel. On a seperate but related note, I am infuriated by the fact that all the rich, mostly white republicans that had Melton's back and helped him get elected are now turning a blind eye to the problems he's caused. I can remember their enthusiasm and willingness to get behind Frank before and right after the election. Now that things are quickly heading south, these same people are complaining about the mayor. The guy that they and their buddies helped put into office!! Instead of complaining, why don't these you-know-whats do something about it? I am so tired of the way people (especially the wealthy ones) in this city complain almost constantly about Jackson's problems, but offer no solutions! We need someone to finally lead this fine city into the light. I think Melton should be impeached, (if that's even possible) and someone honest and SANE should replace him. He seems to have a real disconnect with reality, and that worries me to no end. If he wants to take in all the lost children of the world, he can do that best as a private citizen. His flagrant disregard for the rules is sickening. One day he or someone around him (like the baby he was holding in that picture) is going to get shot. This man lives in a world apart from the rest of us, and it is a world in which he is the supreme ruler. King Melton. He has pulled the wool over our eyes, and pulled the rug out from under us at the same time. Jackson is getting scarier by the day. I don't want to see this place fall apart, do you?

Belhaver

Jun 26 2006

Sorry for what happened to you, Belhaver. I think Ronnie is right in his column or article about the mayor. Yes, it's too bad Jacksonians elected him before learning he's incompetent.

Ray Carter

Jun 26 2006

I, too, am very sorry about what those jerks did to you, Belhaver. It is not a great feeling knowing that you aren't safe. I recall a recent conversation on one of these blogs about fear and walking in the neighborhood and how crime has an advers impact on physical fitness. Some folks on the blog scoffed at the notion that you are unsafe walking, but this experience proves it. And why should you need a husband or a buddy just to walk in your own neighborhood?!? It ticks me off, too. I live in the same area of Belhaven. Good for you for pressing charges, that is the way to go - they have to understand they can't just do stuff like this without consequences. I'm glad that you made it safely out of this experience. I'm so sorry it happened to you.

Izzy

Jun 26 2006

I, too, am very sorry about what those jerks did to you, Belhaver. It is not a great feeling knowing that you aren't safe. I recall a recent conversation on one of these blogs about fear and walking in the neighborhood and how crime has an advers impact on physical fitness. Some folks on the blog scoffed at the notion that you are unsafe walking, but this experience proves it. And why should you need a husband or a buddy just to walk in your own neighborhood?!? It ticks me off, too. I live in the same area of Belhaven. Good for you for pressing charges, that is the way to go - they have to understand they can't just do stuff like this without consequences. I'm glad that you made it safely out of this experience. I'm so sorry it happened to you.

Izzy

Jun 26 2006

I am one of those ummm "rich white people" that voted for Melton. Sure he is nuts but would someone tell me exactly what he is doing that is directly increasing crime in Jackson? At the end of the day I dont think its Melton that esclating this problem...I think its the worthless and barbaric sad escuses for humans that's causing the increase in crime. Give me one example of a good deterrent to help these animals not commit a crime.........Time's up, you can't. Hate to throw gas on the fire but I was just wondering...

colby

Jun 26 2006

sorry, esclating...

colby

Jun 26 2006

one more try...Escalating

colby

Jun 26 2006

First of all I also apologize to Belhaver for her unfortunate incident. NO ONE should have to be afraid of the simple pleasures of life. It sickens me to think that the criminal element is still alive and growing stronger. To Colby........since you don't want to pull your head out of the sand and look around, I can give you a couple of things that have happened since Melton took office. In his inagural speech he stood ther and punched holes in the air lying about how he was going to solve the crime problem in ninety days. Instead crime has risen under his administration three times faster than the national average (check the Morgan Aquino facts). His parading around the street at night have let the criminals know EXACTLY where the largest police presence is so that they can run amok on the opposite side of the city. Melton has fired/removed/reassigned at least fifty of the police officers since he took office thus severely weakening the effectiveness of the force. He has not instituted any of the programs for our youth to keep them busy and productive, instead he wants them locked up at night and had even talked about locking them up during the daytime too. Please respond Colby. I have much more to say.

lance

Jun 26 2006

Lance, Do you know why he fired the police officers? Can you find out? The sand is kind of dark down here so its hard for me to come across that info. I'm sure it was because they were doing a fantastic job. One night I took my head out of the sand and got to hang out with some of the city's finest at Buffalo Wild Wings a couple of months ago. Really great people of character...When you respond with "much more to say" please answer the question of any deterrent against the type of crime that plagues this city. Knowing exactly where the cops are isnt gonna change anything anyway. Event if you get caught not a whole lot is going to happen to you.

colby

Jun 26 2006

When the security in Jackson is so poor that daylight joggers are assaulted, it is time for the current administration to GO. When purses are snatched at Broadstreet, it is time for the current administration to GO. When commercial real estate is practically worthless because no one wants to invest in Jackson it is time for them to GO. I have given way too much to this city for many years, and I see my investments becoming WORTHLESS. It is time for me to GO. Pulling my assets is the only form of protest I have left, and they still won't get it. Pity

R.A.

Jun 26 2006

Sad. Other folks declare a state of emergency, they get police moving about in riot armor, deathsquads, siezure/closing of media outlets, mass incarceration, summary justice, martial law, rumors and all the exciting bits. Melton declares it and it reveals just how ineffective he is. Perhaps we ought to give him ideas?

Pilgrim

Jun 26 2006

Colby, if you have something of substance to say, say it. Your cryptic messages are well... to cryptic! One thing that Melton did is fire the Community Police Officers, who did such things as check on the elderly and make sure they took precautions. They went to different neighborhoods and educated the people on ways to stay safe and organize your neighborhood crime watch. They educated children, etc., etc.! I'm sure all those officers, mostly women, are who your cryptic message is aimed at - right? The other is he threw out the 5 Point Plan that Chief Moore and Mayor Johnson introduced over three years ago and crime steadily went down after that plan was in place. Melton has no "plan." And it shows. Maybe you could educate us as to what Melton's plan is since you "voted for him." Your a "rich white guy," so it shouldn't be hard for you to do! Educate us folks, who you must see as having nothing but disdain for "rich white folks," about Melton's plan. Heck, I like "rich white folks." I've even got a couple for friends! :-p Oh yeah, and he stopped printing the weekly crime stats, that listed street by street where crimes were committed in Jackson. Those of us active with our neighborhoods and precincts found this useful so we could look out for areas that may be seeing an up tick of crime. But, far be it from me, regular Joe Jackson, from pointing out some examples of why Melton is why crime is increasing.

pikersam

Jun 26 2006

mass incarceration isn't working...

Izzy

Jun 26 2006

Colby, why don't you attend some of the Civil Service meetings. This is where I have seen some of these officers defending themselves, some with attorneys, and etc. You be the judge as to why they have been fired. One officer was fired for an incident of which a prisioner in their custody testified that the officer was fired wrongfully. Don't take my word. See for yourself. The city paid for a study several years ago to find solutions to the crime problem. Guess what? Their recommendations were on point. Thins were turning around. Melton completely abandoned the recommendations and look at where we are headed. Melton has done nothing to improve the business climate. It is a known fact that when a city has a healthy economy, crime drops. When the people are working, then statistics have proven that crime drops off. King Melton has made numerous promises to bring in business, but so far all I have seen is investors with questionable pasts. The officers at Buffalo Wings were exonerated (at least two of them). If the remaining office is found guilty, then he should be dealt with as any other convict. I am not going to say that we have a stellar department. I am going to say that every since Melton has stuck his nose into the day-to-day operations of the police department, things have noticeably diminished. R.A. made very good points. Leaving IS an option. An alternate option is for Melton to step up to the plate and admit that he is not getting the job done. I have a question for you Colby............what has Melton done that has made anything better?

lance

Jun 26 2006

BTW: Today at 4pm two "white" kids decided to do a 360, tire squealing, donut in the intersection of Northside and Old Canton right by Highland Village. They spun so hard they almost wiped out in a yard. I caught an older man trying to get their license plate number. I tell you, it is past time we put these white NE Jax kids on lock down! 24/7 curfew for all the rug rats who can't control there urges to break the law!

pikersam

Jun 26 2006

Pikersam, I liked your points. You seem to be a concerned citizen. Could you fill me in on the 5 points plan - that is, what are the points? Or send me somewhere to look for them. thanks.

Izzy

Jun 26 2006

Well said Pikersam. I really take it personal when someone tries to play the devil's advocate on issues that are crystal clear. The handful of people that will support Melton are just as lost as Melton is. I love a good arguement, but I cannot handle lunacy. It is ludicrious for anyone to support a person when it is obvious that they are losing a battle as terribly as Melton is losing the battle on crime. I'll bet that if you ask anyone that has been a victim of crime what they think of the current situation they will all unanimously agree that things are headed south at warp speed. Melton talks out of both sides of his mouth. He says that he loves kids, but then he wants them under lockdown. Melton says that he hates criminals, but he hugs them and then hires them. Melton says that all lawbreakers will be brough to justice, but when he loses his own court battle he blames anyone else but himself. And the list goes on and on and on.

lance

Jun 26 2006

Laurel, Putting my tongue so far in my cheek its wiggling out of my ear... [quote]You're not thinking big enough. Empty entire neighborhoods at a time. Or round up everyone on bail or has made the usual suspects list. Or under a certain age. Use say Memorial Stadium or the fairgrounds. Put 'em behind concertina wire, with minimal provisions for sanitation, food, healthcare. Extra points for wailing mothers outside the detention area menaced by armed guards. In short, have Frank show he's doing "something" about crime. I mean come on, if you're going to act like a tinpot dictator, or a former Soviet 'stan president, you might as well do it big. Heck, Frank might want to talk to the president of Kyrgystan for further ideas. I get the impression they're kindred spirits.[/quote] In short, we ought to be GLAD that Frank is limited in his imagination and power.

Pilgrim

Jun 26 2006

Colby ~ I have to yet 'heard' anything that you have brought to the table that is indicative of a person with knowledge. You claim to have pulled your head out of the sand, but might I suggest you pull it out of your a$$ instead, as it is apparent to this forum that the sand has obscured your vision. I fail to see how anyone can continue to stand by their vote for Melton. You must live within a gated community with armed security guards, otherwise you would have been outraged at 'Batman' being released after the charge of multiple murders were placed at his feet. You do read the newspaper, and listen to the news don't you? Melton is the entire reason that our D.A. was unable to obtain a successful prosecution of this individual as he felt the need to take the witness home and treat him like one of his own children. That would be called 'witness tampering'. And with the continuing rise of crimes in Jackson, since Melton took office, I will assume by the lack of specific incidents that you use to backup your statements, that had YOUR mother, sister, wife, etc. been one of the elderly ladies who was attacked trying to enter an eating establishment last week, YOU would have no anger toward the rising crime rate. I would think if for no other reason that these elderly ladies were white that you WOULD care. It doesn't matter whether victims are black, white, tan or green - victims are victims and unfortunantly for our citizens, of all races - the crime rate is continuing to rise due to lack of leadership! I sincerely hope that none of your family become victims of crime within a city without leadership...........you would have no stand to complain if that occurred since you were one of the almighty ones who put this idiot in charge!

Katie D

Jun 26 2006

Laurel, I just remember reading about it in the paper and here. Here is a link to the archives of the CL about the 5 Point Plan. I ain't paying money to post a few articles. Especially when the paper is a big reason why the people didn't know the whole story come election time. They didn't delve into the hundreds of articles they wrote about Melton and Blunston and the rest of his cronies when they were "kickin' it" in the 90's! Much less even admit Jackson was on a postive track under Mayor Johnson. And still would be if any other fool than Melton were in office.

pikersam

Jun 26 2006

And now for a "little whine" with dinner. Brought to you by Safe City Watch. Sorry you guys think Melton is going in the wrong direction. How about showing him I-20 West.

pikersam

Jun 26 2006

Well, at least they're not defending him. Not that you could at this point with a straight face. (Lange-the-apologist probably had to abstain on this one. Besides, would it be appropriate for folks who gave money to Melton's campaign, and got some from it, to be casting any sort of judgement on what kind of job he's doing?)

DonnaLadd

Jun 26 2006

I could have told them JPD doesn't investigate Auto Burglary. :)

Ironghost

Jun 26 2006

And if any of our councilmen support a measure calling for the search of every car at a road block (much less the road blocks... but that's another issue), then they need to be held as examples of supporters of a "police state." In some ways our city is now being run with a bit of a Fascist flare. Here part of the definition for Fascism: Fascism is also typified by totalitarian attempts to impose state control over all aspects of life: political, social, cultural, and economic. Can anyone show where Melton hasn't attempted to impose control over aspects of our lives? Seriously?

pikersam

Jun 26 2006

Hey Pike in Safe City Watch they mentioned the murder rate, does anyone here know how many murders we have had in Jackson this year, under Harvey with every report of murder by the television media you had Jackson's ___ murder of the year. Which number are we at this year????

malt

Jun 26 2006

Colby.................where are you? We haven't finished our conversation.

lance

Jun 26 2006

Kim Wade hinted on his show today that Melton could be doing drugs. He didn't actually say it, but he gave good reason to believe that that's a strong possibility. It would be interesting if Melton was given a random drug test. I'd love to see the results. Remember former Mayor Marion Barry from D.C.. I wonder what the drug canine dogs would sniff out if they were allowed to freely roam through Frank Melton's Bat Mobile and home, just like he's allowing officers to go through and search the cars of innocent Jacksonians for drugs. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If found guilty, wouldn't that be grounds for mayoral impeachment?

Joerob

Jun 26 2006

"Which number are we at this year????" That's a good question, malt. I think it may be in the teens so far for the year... I've seen that New Orleans and (I think) Baton Rouge have had skyrocketing murder rates since Katrina. I believe that Little Rock, AR has had damn near 50 so far this year, as well, and they got their share of Katrina refugees. I've seen it tossed around that Katrina could be to blame for Jackson's recent spike... It's feasible, but these other cities are making Jackson look like Mayberry when it comes to murder rates. Though, murder isn't really the issue here.

millhouse

Jun 26 2006

Forgive me... I got NO and Little Rock mixed up. NO has over 50, while LR is toying with close to 40.

millhouse

Jun 26 2006

It would be interesting if Melton was given a random drug test. I'd love to see the results. Remember former Mayor Marion Barry from D.C.. - Joerob Interesting that you made that point Joerob. If my source is correct, the mayor and all of the department heads are EXEMPT from random drug tests. The city has a policy in place to randomly test their employees on a monthly basis. If they fail the drug test, they are terminated immediately. If they fail a alcohol test, they are sent to rehab. I believe that Johnson voluntarily took a test just to show that he was okay. If this info is correct (and I truely believe that it is) we will NEVER know if Melton is operating under the influence. Darn it, saved by politics.

rufus

Jun 26 2006

Ironic you mention Barry. Former Police Chief Jimmy Wilson, who was investigating Melton, Bluntson and others for potential corruption and other crimes, was in charge of the investigation that brought Barry down. I will say this, though: I agree with you that Melton should take a drug/alcohol test just like any other city employee. That is a good idea. Why should he be exempt from it?

DonnaLadd

Jun 26 2006

By Joerob:[quote]Kim Wade hinted on his show today that Melton could be doing drugs. He didn't actually say it, but he gave good reason to believe that that's a strong possibility.[/quote] My bet is something prescription, under a doctors orders, and that its not strong enough.

Pilgrim

Jun 26 2006

By ladd: [quote]I will say this, though: I agree with you that Melton should take a drug/alcohol test just like any other city employee. That is a good idea. Why should he be exempt from it?[/quote] Because he's not used to it. He's used to running his own little business fiefdoms with little to no criticism out of the public eye. In short, he doesn't seem to used to swaying people who are not investors or employees.

Pilgrim

Jun 26 2006

By Joerob: Kim Wade hinted on his show today that Melton could be doing drugs. He didn't actually say it, but he gave good reason to believe that that's a strong possibility. Pilgrim: My bet is something prescription, under a doctors orders, and that its not strong enough. Oxycontin? :-)

Jeff Lucas

Jun 26 2006

Nah. I doubt a narcotic. That might make him a better mayor (the most dangerous executive is one that's ignorant and energetic - two things Little Frankie has in spades). Something psychoactive or a stimulant.

Pilgrim

Jun 26 2006

Dang guys, let a brother breathe. Sorry I dont get to spend as much time on the blog pages as you guys. Look, I am on the same team as you. i.e the folks that want to make jackson not only a better place to live but one of the best and safest places to want to live in the south. I had a question about what Melton was doing that was directly increasing crime...It was answered with good points. Thanks. Secondly, I gave no money to melton and recieved none back. I never said I was supporting him now i just wanted to know what his opposition had to say... And again, very good points. Third...Katie D you struck a nerve. A family member of mine was involved in a very violent crime in this city. I would not care if the attacker was white tan green or yellow. All that matters to me is that they caught the bastards and they will never be seen on the streets of Jackson again. If you cant tell, I'm new to this page and somewhat new to Jackson. Grew up here then moved away. Came back to this. The 5-point plan? Was it working? What were the 5 points?

colby

Jun 27 2006

Sorry, I came across the 5-pt plan in an earlier post. Thanks again.

colby

Jun 27 2006

Time's up, you can't. Hate to throw gas on the fire but I was just wondering... -Colby This is the statement that caught my attention. None of the bloggers are trying to create enemies, but when a statement like this comes across it really raises eyebrows. No one is necessarily anti-Melton. We are just tired of the broken promises and lies. Crime has risen dramatically since Melton took office and it dosen't appear that things are going to get better any time soon. Another problem is that we are losing businesses and people from Jackson. No city can survive like this. We must grow, not shrink. We don't mind a bold approach to crime but the police department had a plan (the Linder-Malpe study) that was working. Melton came in here and tried to re-invent the wheel. It wasn't necessary. If things turn around............then great. But the way that things are regressing Jackson may very well end up like some of a few other major cities across the U S.

lance

Jun 27 2006

Lance, Thanks for the response. Deterrents to crime anyone?

colby

Jun 27 2006

"Deterrent to crime anyone?" (colby) GET RID OF MELTON! That would be the first order of business! I was never a bona fide' Harvey fan, although I was not out right against him either. He simply personified the belief of Southerner's being slow (not mentally, but slow to change). I now see that he might have been slow moving, but he DID have the interest of Jackson at heart. I will always believe that if Harvey had been more agressive, even slightly more aggressive, that he would never have been voted out of office - but after the fiasco we are observing now with freaky frank and his out right craziness - I would personally be happy to have slow, true and loyal right back in office!

Katie D

Jun 27 2006

I just heard at lunch that 2 people were robbed at gunpoint while in the drive thru at Taco Bell on Northside Drive. In broad daylight I believe. If true, I suppose the curfew is starting to have an impact, because the young criminals know they aren't allowed to be out after dark, so it's best to rob people in the middle of the day. That's sarcasm for those that would take that last line seriously.

Jeff Lucas

Jun 27 2006

Something has to change. I plan on raising children in this city, for crying out loud! It's all so frustrating...

Belhaver

Jun 27 2006

I'm not giving up on Jackson, though. There are a lot of smart, passionate people in this city (many of whom post here) who are fighting and will continue to fight for change.

Belhaver

Jun 27 2006

Belhaver, I like your spirit. I believe there are plenty of people in Jackson who are capable of leaving who like you are committed to staying here. I'm not so sure if I'm one of them anymore. Frankly, I have so much Melton-fatigue it's not funny. Seriously. And I'm disappointed at the Jacksonians who let him pull the wool over their eyes, and continue to turn blinders on to his madness. I've lived in and loved Jackson for nearly 7 years and never gave much thought to leaving before last month. I need a bigger house anyway, but the madness coming from Frank Melton is really bumming me and my growing family out and making Jackson seem a lot less attractive. The criminals seem to have lost any fear of Melton. I worry every time my wife wants to go down Da Hood to visit her Mom because its a bad area that has gotten worse in the last few years, and I won't let her go down there without me. I'm really torn here, because I don't like cutting and running either. That's part of the reason we are in this mess because too many good people turned tail and headed for the tall grass for so many reasons. But I know from this site there are good people engaged in the fight to save this City, and maybe if enough people catch on it can get better.

Jeff Lucas

Jun 27 2006

I believe there are plenty of people in Jackson who are capable of leaving who like you are committed to staying here. - ejeff1970 I think that you hit the nail on the head ejeff. I have lived here about ninety percent of my life. I never considered living anywhere else becuase there is no place like Jackson. Now the way things have gotten........THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE JACKSON. I am not a quitter, but Melton's lack of leadership and inate desire to be king has really pushed me beyond my limits. One thing that keeps me fighting not only Melton, but anything anti-progressive to this city is the heart and spirit of the good people still here. Even if I should ever leave Jackson, I will not do so until this mess is straightened back out and we are on the right track again.

lance

Jun 28 2006

Ejeff when you look at the prices of houses in Ridgeland and Madison and other places then juxtapose the price of the house to the size of the same you're going to curse about forty times in a row. The price of houses in the Ridgeland darn near made me leave Mississippi again. I had to stay in Ridgeland because it's home, and home is where the heart is, so they say. I still can't believe the prices of new homes in Mississippi. They are more affordable in larger cities like Houston and Dallas. I still can't figure out where people are getting all of this money to afford the mansions.

Ray Carter

Jun 28 2006

VERY well put, ejeff. I do love it here. As much as I feel strongly about not letting this city down, I have to say that my husband and I have also been talking a little bit about leaving Jackson. We can't help it. There is too much s--- going on these days. I feel unsafe pretty much everywhere I go. Jogging now included. Jackson is becoming more unfamiliar than I ever thought it could be, and I know I can not rule out the chance that we will move away from here. How low does one's quality of life have to get before they're not seen as having turned tail by leaving?

Belhaver

Jun 30 2006

Belhaver, I'm sorry to hear about what happened tp you, and I can relate to it very well, unfortunately. At this particular end of Lyndon B. Johnson Dr., there are a couple of households where small children and grandchildren are constantly unsupervised and wreak havoc every now and then. Every Independence Day, I have to think about unscrewing the mailbox from its post because I know some of the little hooligans will try to pop firecrackers in it. There are still stains on the front of the house where the brats threw eggs at it. I find candy wrappers, soda bottles, potato chip bags, bricks and large stones on the front lawn on a regular basis. What angers me the most is that some of them sit in front of the house yelling "Fire!" as my 25-year-old autistic brother walks to the curb to get the mail or retrieve the trash cans. I know the older kids must have been telling them to do it because this has been going on since my brother was in high school, and most of the little twerps weren't born yet. They get a kick out of watching a grown man run back into the house in fear, and it makes me sick. I've been trying to figure out a way to expose this problem and get it taken care of once and for all. I have to do this carefully, because those little spawns of Satan will retaliate by throwing more eggs, slashing my tires, stealing our mail, etc. School starts back in August, right? :-P

LatashaWillis

Jul 1 2006

I know probably no one is reading this set of comments anymore, but I must say that I take back my last post about wanting to leave. I just saw some crime stats on channel 12 that made me FURIOUS!! Crime in NE Jax (Belhaven and Fondren included) has gone up 40%. Carjackings in Jax have gone up 123%. I am more determined than ever to stay here and ride this out. I will be here when this city makes its comeback.

Belhaver

Jul 6 2006

That's the spirit! Plus, no matter where you go, you can't really escape crime. Don't think that by moving to Madison or Rankin County that you've entered the Garden of Eden. After all, even the Garden eventually became corrupted.

golden eagle '97

Jul 6 2006

I second that, Belhaver. Jackson is a wonderful city; we just need to face and tackle her problems together.

DonnaLadd

Jul 6 2006

LW... try whipping their ass. Or tell their parents you'll just take their butt to small claims court for some intentional infliction of emotional distress. They'll get tired of paying 2500 over and over.

Kingfish

Jul 6 2006

lol! Melton to Homeless: "GO HOME!!" Even ones without homes must be in their homes (wtf?) by 10 PM or risk incarceration.

millhouse

Jul 13 2006

I thought he wanted to move out there with them so he wouldn't have any more troubles. (See Brian's "Punks" story.)

DonnaLadd

Jul 13 2006

It's uncanny how many things that this man says are inversely true. You could make a game of it.

millhouse

Jul 13 2006