Jackson Free Press

Read the story that the city is talking about, based on a report the Jackson Free Press unearthed on Monday. You saw it here first.

UPDATE: The full April 17 ComStat report is available here.

Crime in Jackson has surged dramatically in 2006, according to a ComStat Overview Report acquired by the Jackson Free Press this week. The report focuses on the week of April 17 but includes year-to-date comparisons with 2005. In every major crime category except business burglary and rape, crime totals for 2006 have risen steeply.

Overall, crime from January to April has risen 16.4 percent in 2006 over the same period in 2005. Auto burglary rose 27.6 percent, with 256 additional car burglaries this year. Meanwhile, carjackings rose a remarkable 123.5 percent, from 34 last year to 76 in 2006. Grand larceny also increased substantially, from 161 in 2005 to 221 in 2006, an increase of 37.3 percent.

Property crime grew by 16.1 percent, but violent crime grew even more, by 18.5 percent. Murder was essentially unchanged, with nine murders this year versus 8 in 2005. There were six fewer rapes, and there were modest increases in aggravated assault and armed robbery. Most of the increase in violent crime derives from the staggering increase in carjackings.

The ComStat report also breaks down crime by precinct. Every precinct but Precinct 3 reported an increase in crime, with Precinct 4, which includes Fondren, reporting a 38.8 percent increase in crime over 2005. Precinct 4 suffered large increases in auto burglary and house burglary, which grew by 66 percent and 61.2 percent respectively. It also suffered a 29.2 percent rise in violent crime.

The JFP made a formal information request for ComStat figures on Jan. 5, 2006. Three weeks later, JPD Records Manager Sharon Gray responded in writing: "ComStat is for internal use only. ComStat is not to be released to the public." Gray did not offer any explanation for why ComStat figures were exempted from the Open Records Act, and another request for crime stats was ignored by the city. The JFP acquired the ComStat report from a member of city government.

At a March 10 press conference, Mayor Frank Melton said that the city would release crime statistics through SafeCity Watch, an organization that he helped start and that still lists him as an emeritus member of the board. Promotional literature from SafeCity Watch states that "audited" crime stats will not be available until this summer, and in a letter dated Oct. 28, 2005, the organization estimated that the service will cost taxpayers $100,000.

"I didn't know the numbers were looking like this," said industrial designer Bob Oertel, who hosts the monthly Precinct 4 COPS meetings. "You can get those figures at the precinct, but honestly, there's only so much time I can put into this kind of research."

Oertel's complaint echoes the concerns of Council President Marshand Crisler, who argued that most city residents don't have time to go down to their local precinct and pick up crime figures.

"As long as the people in their communities are unaware of the crime in their communities, the criminals are at liberty to roam freely in those communities," Crisler said. "We need these figures in the newspapers to make a difference. People need to know what crimes are going on in their neighborhoods to effect change. … I mean, community input is the biggest piece in crime prevention."

Oertel also questioned Melton's plan to release crime stats through SafeCity Watch.

"They say they're going to be working together with the city as an outside entity in going through and making all that general data available to the public, but there's a conflict of interest," Oertel said. "If you're an entity saying that you're a completely separate and non-biased group, yet the mayor of the city is emeritus on your letterhead, I would have to say that that needs to be looked at further. I'm not saying they're going to take the data and do something different with it, but I would think that is certainly a cause to look at a conflict of interest."

SafeCity Watch Chairman Mark McCreery said the program was still in its developmental stages. "We haven't been awarded a contract or anything," McCreery said. "Really, for us, it's a matter of making sure that city residents are protected. … We're trying to make sure that crime is being reported correctly. It's not a resource issue. We raise our own private funds to do the research and get the data and the right information. We just want to make sure it's done right."

Crisler said the SafeCity proposal has not yet come before the council and that he is not taking it seriously until it does.

Read an earlier thread about the SafeCity proposal to "audit" the city's crime statistics.

Previous Comments

ID

66091

Comment

Ah, the NJam'ers will say, "we said there would be an increase because the 'real' stats are being released." Not the watered down versions from the past. However, even if that is remotely possible (though really that was just campaign rhetoric at the time) the numbers we are seeing here are much too high to indicate that a "fudging of statistics" was going on in the past. Just don't know how they will spin this?

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-05-09T22:32:32-06:00

ID

66092

Comment

Let's see ole Frankis boy explain this one. It dosen't take a rocket scientist to figure out that crime have risen all over the city. Now, what happens next? Will he hug all of the criminals and re-release the Comstat figures?

Author

lance

Date

2006-05-09T22:36:18-06:00

ID

66093

Comment

Sorry to rock to boat fellows, but I don't think crime in Jackson was ever down. The perceived problem that Harvey and the former chief talked about was real. It wasn't a preception problem, it was a deception problem. I just don't believe we ever got the whole story on crime from the Johnson admin.

Author

nyview

Date

2006-05-09T22:55:44-06:00

ID

66094

Comment

And you base this opinion on what, exactly? Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-09T22:59:27-06:00

ID

66095

Comment

Is it your claim, nyview, that the Johnson administration consistently reported false crime statistics to the FBI? That week after week of ComStat statistics had been doctored? Do you realize that claim is potentially libelous if you do not have evidence? Of course, this is only a blog, but it is still governed by the law. More to the point, it is governed by rules of adult argument. Don't just wink and tell us Johnson cooked the books. Provide some reason for thinking it is so or bow out of the discussion. Adults are blogging.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2006-05-09T23:05:17-06:00

ID

66096

Comment

"Do you realize that claim is potentially libelous if you do not have evidence?" Saying "I just don't believe we ever got the whole story on crime from the Johnson admin" is potentially libelous? The person didn't make any claims...just stated an opinion. It'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out. The watering down of crime stats could account for SOME of this, but not for over 100% increases in some categories. I can't wait to hear the mayor's explanation. Obviously, his unorthodox methods haven't helped a single thing for 2006.

Author

millhouse

Date

2006-05-09T23:20:30-06:00

ID

66097

Comment

I think the FBI is the true indicator as to whether stats are "cooked" or not. All the times it has been said that the crime stats here were being "cooked" we have yet to hear of even a sniff of an FBI investigation, a letter, or a complaint since Comstat began.

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-05-09T23:22:30-06:00

ID

66098

Comment

I did say potentially ;). Nyview accused the Johnson administration of "deception." He also said he didn't "think crime in Jackson was ever down." That statement is patently absurd considering that crime fell consistently throughout the Johnson administration. I do not claim that Johnson deserves sole credit for that trend, which followed a broad national trend, but there is no question that crime fell substantially. If nyview wants to claim that there were certain distortions in the Johnson administration's crime stats, he is welcome to make that claim, if he also provides an explanation for how it might have been done and at least marginal evidence supporting the contention. But there is no question that crime fell during the Johnson administration. Innuendo without any basis in fact is not productive.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2006-05-09T23:34:14-06:00

ID

66099

Comment

Right--and the crime always seemed to decline about as much as national trends indicated it would. I wouldn't say nyview's claim is exactly libelous, but it's a serious accusation with no evidence of any kind to back it up. I have no trouble believing that crime has gone up, but I question what Melton could have done during his first six months in office to dramatically change the crime rate. Since we know crime comes from poverty, my theory, personally, is that Hurricane Katrina is the primary culprit--but a quick look at the ComStat figures for September and October 2005 would probably help on that front. Bottom line (no pun intended): When did the spike happen? If it was before Melton took office, then it seems reasonable to attribute this to outside factors. If it was August, then it seems reasonable to blame Melton. If it was September or October, then it seems reasonable to blame Katrina. If it was later, then it's anybody's guess. But at least now we know why Melton was sitting on the figures. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-09T23:34:57-06:00

ID

66100

Comment

By the way: Good work, y'all. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-09T23:35:18-06:00

ID

66101

Comment

Agreed that some facts SHOULD be presented for the sake of conversation when stating an opinion. But, I've seen worse stated about crime stats and the Johnson administration on this board... And, I wouldn't be surprised if nyview probably even THINKS things that would considered libelous on a blog... that probably applies to all of us at times. I guess I just don't see the harm in that particular post. It's an alarming story and his/her's may have been been somewhat of kneejerk reaction. Seems like I remember in one of the recent Melton interviews him saying that the stats weren't all that bad. And, compared to other cities, they may not be comparitively bad. But DAMN... for a guy whose ENTIRE campaign platform was on crime...talk about a failure. Like I say... I can't wait until he has to say something about this. And, knowing how quickly non-JFP media in Jackson bite on stories like this, he's got a couple of weeks to get ready.

Author

millhouse

Date

2006-05-09T23:46:50-06:00

ID

66102

Comment

"Innuendo [regarding false crime figures] without any basis in fact is not productive" I beg to differ; it produced the current administration!

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2006-05-09T23:52:41-06:00

ID

66103

Comment

Checking in quickly ... I just checked out nyview and found that he is misrepresenting who he is. Without being specific, he was banned recently for violating the User Agreement and tried to sneak back in. So, if I were y'all I wouldn't spend a lot of time on his allegation. He's gone. Carry on.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T00:19:33-06:00

ID

66104

Comment

So, one question I have is why is it going to take SafeCity until June to figure out how to release crime stats? Agreed, Tom: Good work, Brian and Adam. Millhouse is right; in one of my interviews, Mr. Melton did say that the media was going to be disappointed when the stats were released because they were going to be better than they'd hoped. As if we *want* them to be bad. What we don't want is a cover-up -- or a whitewash job by a bunch of Melton supporters. Just sayin'.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T00:28:44-06:00

ID

66105

Comment

And ... mightn't it be time that Police Chief Shirlene Anderson start acting like a police chief? We need the weekly police briefings reinstated immediately, and chief who acts like a chief. The games need to end. Here's your proof.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T00:34:30-06:00

ID

66106

Comment

Anyone driven around inner-city Jackson lately? Abandoned buildings are being spray painted with "f**k Frank! It is unfortunate but a lot of these crimes against property are being committed just to throw the finger at Frank. He thinks that by getting on TV and calling these people thugs makes him look tough. They scoff!

Author

Darron

Date

2006-05-10T01:31:50-06:00

ID

66107

Comment

So the truth is out! What most of us here suspected is true, that property crime is actually up. Another reason that Melton has dialed down his antics perhaps? Nice try, nyview, but you're just reciting the same talking points that Nesbit, Lange, and others have been spitting for several years, that the previous administration was making a concerted effort to underreport or miscatagorize crimes in order to make the stats go down. No hard proof, just assertions with no names or specifics to back it up. I used to be tempted to call Nesbit and ask that if he had such hard proof, why not file a formal charge against the JPD and the City instead of just making accusations on the radio? So let's get this straight...crime is up, the City is nearly broke, the Mayor is being investigated by the Hinds D.A. and A.G. Hood, and known street criminals are hanging out at the Mayor's house. How can any intelligent Meltonite (or Melonhead) come up with a defense for this guy at this point in his term? Other than that tired "leave him alone, he's doing a great job/at least he's trying to clean up this city" garbage that gets printed in the C-L letters to the editor and recorded by the local TV viewer feedback lines.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-10T06:49:14-06:00

ID

66108

Comment

I tend to agree with Tom regarding the Katrina effect. I know that Baton Rouge has seen a similar rise in crime following the influx of evacuees there, putting a huge strain on their resources and infrastructure. I seem to remember a similar story about Houston. And they absorbed many more N.O. evacuees than we did.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-10T07:07:12-06:00

ID

66109

Comment

I'll give you a birdseye view of one of Franks' crime fighting tactics. His version of ADP(active deterrent patrol). Get 10 police cruisers, line them up with blue lights flashing, and ride around in high crime areas. The problem with this is simple, the "thug" can see you coming for miles Frank! I witnessed this caravan while driving once. He drove through an apartment complex and I thought, boy, if I lived there I would feel harrassed. Let's face it folks, where does Frank get his vaunted crime fighting techniques from? Why is the media always in tow? Who is he playing to and how much is admission?

Author

Darron

Date

2006-05-10T07:17:40-06:00

ID

66110

Comment

When something is undone and a negative result follows, what was undone must be reinstated if only to get back to point A. Renovation of policy is not always neccasary get back to what johnson did and let safecity find ways to make that policy better, hiding the numbers does not give criminals the idea that there is no crime or the public. Releasing quarter by quarter will let things slip slowly enough to not be able to reverse the negative effects of current policy. Frank is being reactive in crime actions which is not the way to curb crime. Going onto peoples porches is not proactive either, even people believe it to be. Delaying the numbers release will only cause problems for frank and the by having to explain why after the fact.

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-05-10T08:28:33-06:00

ID

66111

Comment

Good to see The Clarion-Ledger picking up our call on the SafeCity scheme today: While the former administration complained about crime perception, police officials at least provided hard information for citizens to consider. Melton apparently is afraid for Jacksonians to know the truth because he has refused to allow release of basic crime information. Now he said he will cooperate with a private crime-fighting group - SafeCity Watch - which plans to take city crime statistics and release them to the public. That is all well and good that SafeCity will be crunching the crime numbers. The group's plans to get communities to do better information sharing has merit. But the mayor's providing exclusive release of information to a hand-picked private group, with which he has been associated, is not opening the crime statistics to the public. Of course, the Ledge clearly hadn't seen the stats we are reporting this week; I'm sure they'll be reporting on that this week without crediting Adam for retrieving the report.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T08:52:40-06:00

ID

66112

Comment

All, many factors may be contributing to the spike in crime: Katrina, sinking economy, cuts in Crime Prevention Units and other redirection of resources, mayor/police attention obsession with old gang crimes, and so on. This administration seems to have only a cursory understanding of what "community policing" is -- if they understood it, they would be much more open and accountable to the people. Regardless, they should not have been hiding the bad news -- which is clearly what they have been doing. They should have put it out there, took the hits and said, "People, we need your help. Here's what you can do." But, no, we've gotten joyrides in the Command Center and ridiculous wastes of time on media stunts. Our city deserves better than this. We now have the evidence right in front of our eyes. When a spike in crime hit in the spring of 2003, the mayor and police chief did not hide the numbers. They got in front, they took the hits and they devised a plan to deal with it -- which, by every measure, was working very well until this administration dismantled it. And these numbers certainly raise suspicion another level that Melton is hoping his group of supporters (SafeCity) will come in and help him massage the numbers in a way that is politically palatable. We cannot allow that to happen. Another playing bullsh!t politics over crime. As Cam said on the NRA interview with me (we're podcasting it now), you don't need a group trying to prove elite or falling apart -- we need the truth, whatever it may be. Enough smoke and mirrors. We've got to get our city off this circus crap. Houston, we have a problem.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T09:34:32-06:00

ID

66113

Comment

When I said "sinking economy," I should have been more specific: "increasing poverty." Gas prices likely ain't helping, either.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T09:35:23-06:00

ID

66114

Comment

"All, many factors may be contributing to the spike in crime: Katrina, sinking economy, cuts in Crime Prevention Units and other redirection of resources, mayor/police attention obsession with old gang crimes, and so on. This administration seems to have only a cursory understanding of what "community policing" is -- if they understood it, they would be much more open and accountable to the people." - Ladd You know, I totally agree, Donna! This is no longer about if/when books were allegedly cooked or who cooked them or if they were even simmered... This is about the current state of our city and who's currently behind the wheel and what the hell they're doing about it.

Author

kaust

Date

2006-05-10T09:45:32-06:00

ID

66115

Comment

Well, I personally am not going to believe accusations about "cooking" by any administration until I see evidence. I remember how eager Mayor Johnson's political opponents were to accuse him to cooking the FBI numbers -- and some prominent people saying that to boot (including Melton, if I recall). But to me that's defamation until actual evidence is presented. There has been none, although SafeCity formed years back saying they were going to find it. They didn't, or we'd have seen it by now. That's classic FUD. But what is true is that (a) crime is rising and (b) the current administration has been trying to hide that fact. Oh, Houston.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T09:48:51-06:00

ID

66116

Comment

Now that we have these numbers (and hopefully will continue to see them reported), what do we do? Reports say Melton is changing his song and dance and special performances on people's front porches... But, what else needs to happen? It's obvious a gun-toting mayor did NOTHING to put a dent in our crime. It's still at an outrageous level no matter how you look at it (through conspiracy-tinted lenses or simply at the numbers themselves). What is the mayor really doing to prevent and deter crimes -- especially property crimes since that can severely lower property values, increase insurance rates, and cause trauma to families? What's he doing about a consistent murder rate? Car jackings? I was just beginning to have hope for the crime situation during Johnson's final years and even had a bizarre since of hope when Melton took over. All has been lost lately. Where do we go from here and how? "This town needs an enema!"

Author

kaust

Date

2006-05-10T09:54:03-06:00

ID

66117

Comment

Also, one other point on homicides. I've heard some PR lately from Melon-heads saying that murder is falling dramatically this year. What they're not telling (or not bothering to find out) is that murder fell REALLY dramatically the first six months of last year and then went back up the second six months. In fact, as the release of this report in April, we had had one more murder this year so far than last. So-called crime "experts" really ought to do some homework before ending up looking like idiots and lapdogs.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T09:54:33-06:00

ID

66118

Comment

The first thing we need to do is demand a real, visible, loquacious police chief who is accountable. If Anderson can't do it, we need a new one fast. That's where I would start -- by demanding a chief who can lead and be accountable, and who isn't blinded by her loyalty to a mayor who "loves" her.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T09:56:14-06:00

ID

66119

Comment

word. Police chief needs to be someone people are scared of, i'm sure charlene can get angry but i wouldn't be afraid of her. Melton isn't either maybe thats why she was given the job. I wouldn't want to mess with malcolm or the JPD boys. Who else was a candidate for top dog?

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-05-10T10:26:13-06:00

ID

66120

Comment

***That's where I would start -- by demanding a chief who can lead and be accountable, and who isn't blinded by her loyalty to a mayor who "loves" her.*** <---ladd You nailed it, Donna. Unfortunately, I believe this Mayor is incapable of doing what any good CEO knows and practices: find the best person you can to do the job; provide them with competitive compensation; give them the support, resources, authority and latitude to do the job; hold them accountable; be willing to listen to and respect their advice and recommendations, even when it might differ with yours; provide constructive feedback; then get the hell out of their way and let them do their job!

Author

Kacy

Date

2006-05-10T10:37:41-06:00

ID

66121

Comment

It's not just up to this mayor. If he is incompetent at fighting crime, being accountable and finding a police chief who will lead the police department, then the people and the City Council must step in. This is not a dictatorship.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T11:04:29-06:00

ID

66122

Comment

I don't think they considered any other candidates, Star. In sharp contrast to past administrations, this mayor seemed to get all his wishes rubberstamped without real discussion. Shame on City Council. All of them.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T11:05:59-06:00

ID

66123

Comment

***That's where I would start -- by demanding a chief who can lead and be accountable, and who isn't blinded by her loyalty to a mayor who "loves" her.*** <---ladd I forgot to mention that also inherent to the persona of any good CEO is that as a leader, he/she must also be a follower. And from what I've seen from the Mayor regarding the JPD, that just ain't gonna happen, sad to say.

Author

Kacy

Date

2006-05-10T11:06:06-06:00

ID

66124

Comment

servant leadership is the coined term for that kacy. Not FM's style he is a good provider and seems nice enough when dealing with "troubled" kids. But he is way too authoritarian to be considered a good ceo in todays times. His style is suitable for 1850's era when actions like his would go under the radar and no one would back sass him or they would turn up missing. Doesn't work he needs to read a book.

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-05-10T11:15:17-06:00

ID

66125

Comment

I agree with Donna re: the Council. We all know where the Bluntson-Stokes-Tillman allegiances lie. But I'm especially disappointed that Crisler, McLemore, Barrett-Simon, and Allen have not taken a firm public stance. It's all disgusting and disheartening!

Author

Kacy

Date

2006-05-10T11:15:57-06:00

ID

66126

Comment

Righto, Superstar. But as Donna mentioned in her *Letter to a Young Mayor*, not unlike President Bush, the Mayor is not prone to reading or studying. Since they know it all, I guess there's no reason for them to do so.

Author

Kacy

Date

2006-05-10T11:21:04-06:00

ID

66127

Comment

I bet most councilpersons are as shocked as we are by Frank's antics with most everything including releasing those stats. He's even crazier than they thought he was. I surmise this from Ben's comments all the time. When Crisler came out criticizing the mayor, Frank and his cheerleaders tried to spear him. Others might be afraid to come out the box because their hands are totally clean either. Do you remember J. Edgar Hoover. He got away with doing all kinds of crazy and immoral sh!t because he knew something on everybody. "If you're living in a glasshouse don't throw no stones." I think the Temptations said this in the sixties but I bet this moral goes back thousands of years.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-10T11:46:25-06:00

ID

66128

Comment

Ain't that in the Bible? By the way, a member of the JFP staff just witnessed a purse snatching near Fondren corner. If I were Alanis Morissette, I would say something dippy about irony.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2006-05-10T12:35:34-06:00

ID

66129

Comment

This just in about Melton continuing his ways. In the words of the great philosopher Butthead, “Beavis, You can’t polish a turd.”

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-05-10T12:41:50-06:00

ID

66130

Comment

FYI: They caught the purse snatcher.

Author

kaust

Date

2006-05-10T13:15:47-06:00

ID

66131

Comment

I'm worried you and Butthead are right, Pikersam

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-10T13:19:34-06:00

ID

66132

Comment

Pikersam, "I be thinking", and since I do "be thinking", it has just dawned on me that if you try to polish an old turd it will crack up into little pieces. I don't claim any experience though. A strong wind will blow it away after decomposition. Maybe he's a diamond in the rough instead of a turd and only needs polishing. We shall see.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-10T13:50:14-06:00

ID

66133

Comment

Looks like the Ledge is trying to play catch-up. LOL. If they have the report, I wonder why they didn't report more of it on their site?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T14:52:52-06:00

ID

66134

Comment

Now you've done it. All this talk of polishing bodily excretions done got this Rolling Stone song goin' 'round in my head. Maybe some other jackson folks be thinkin this as well: Grabbed hold of your coat tail but it come off in my hand, I reached for your lapel but it weren't sewn on so grand. ... I boogied in the ballroom, I boogied in the dark; Tie you hands, tie you feet, throw you to the sharks. Make you sweat, make you scream, make you wish you'd never been, I lost a lot of love over you.

Author

Rex

Date

2006-05-10T15:03:40-06:00

ID

66135

Comment

Note that we've put the .pdf of ComStat up for people to peruse. It includes information on crimes by precinct that might me of interest. How long will it be before The Clarion-Ledger writes on these very numbers without giving us credit? Start the clock.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2006-05-10T17:34:57-06:00

ID

66136

Comment

They're discussing our crime-stat story right now on Kim Wade. Bob Hickingbottom is on there -- not, at the moment, trashing anyone. He did just say that Melton cannot be profiling black people by targeting black communities -- after all, when you go duck hunting, you gotta go where the ducks are. N-JAM ain't got nothin' on this guy.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T17:40:03-06:00

ID

66137

Comment

Hickingbottom: "Chief Moore would hide and say we don't have a crime problem." That is an outright lie, with due respect. Moore had press briefings every Wednesday afternoon, they released stats, they put plans out there for crime. They spoke to the media where crime was up or down. This is bullsh!t.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T17:43:29-06:00

ID

66138

Comment

If anyone "hides," it is Chief Shirlene Anderson.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T17:43:49-06:00

ID

66139

Comment

Shirley: "Can you tell me what a Melon-head is?" Kim: "Someone who has undying support for Frank Melton regardless of what he does." (may have left out a word or two of Kim's response, but that's pretty close.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T17:56:00-06:00

ID

66140

Comment

Shirley sounds like a couple of older black people I've heard from, playing the religion game to overlook Melton's obvious shortcomings. I'm a religious person myself, and I believe in the redemptive power of prayer and GOD'S grace, but I also believe in holding leaders accountable for the lies and deceptions they perpetrate on unsuspecting people.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-10T18:07:39-06:00

ID

66141

Comment

I do wonder if she called Melton after his Bottom Lines and told him he should just be praying for all the people and groups he was lambasting? Or, is the prayer-only approach just reserved for people she likes? Prayer? Healthy. Holding public official officials? Vital. Speaking our minds? American.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T19:08:04-06:00

ID

66142

Comment

A shout-out, btw, to Kim Wade for telling people to come to our site and read my last editor's note about Mr. Melton. It's dropping off the front page pretty quickly, so here it is if you're looking for it. Thanks, Kim.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-10T19:09:53-06:00

ID

66143

Comment

It appears that the mayor have some explaining to do. Melton promised/lied to us that he would solve Jackson's crime problem in ninety days. Melton promised us that his unconventional tactics would run the criminal element out of Jackson. Melton even promised us that Anderson was the best person for the position of police chief. So far he's batting a thousand. Crime is UP, the criminals have little or no fear anymore, and Anderson is seen as rarely as a great white elk. The mayor is blaming everyone else for the problems. All he has to do is look in the mirror and see that the solution is to step up to the plate and step down and give someone else a chance. There comes a time when you must realize that once the public loses trust in you and you have damaged your credibility, then just leave before you lose what little respect that you may have. This fight has gotten old. We are tired of complaining about the situation. It's time to try someone else.

Author

lance

Date

2006-05-10T19:14:16-06:00

ID

66144

Comment

Lance. I agree 100% with you on that. Great work Adam and Bryan.

Author

Missy

Date

2006-05-10T20:49:15-06:00

ID

66145

Comment

Just a thought here: The calls for service for AMR are also public records too, correct? It will not show every call that JPD goes to, but it should show the more serious stabbings, shootings, etc.

Author

Missy

Date

2006-05-10T20:51:10-06:00

ID

66146

Comment

Lance posted: "Anderson is seen as rarely as a great white elk" I love that analogy! It is true too! We need a "REAL POLICE CHIEF".

Author

Missy

Date

2006-05-10T20:58:56-06:00

ID

66147

Comment

Speaking of crime, why is it that every time a Jackson business is robbed or burglarized, the media asks if that business is going to move out of the city? I never hear it asked of businesses outside of Jackson.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2006-05-10T23:31:35-06:00

ID

66148

Comment

Because crime panic is an essential ingredient in white flight--or at least keeping everyone of a certain income level or above east of Gallatin, where they "belong." The JFP is doing well by publicizing this ComStat data, but I'm concerned that when the C-L gets wind of it, it'll be more of the same story they gave under Johnson. Remember, folks: The C-L wasn't anti-Johnson so much as it was and is driven by a white, suburban market that tends to be very anti-Jackson. Anything they can do to bash the city is gravy for them--no matter who the mayor is. The increase in crime will be seen as evidence that Jackson has gone to hell since integration, that black folks can't run the city, that "something must be done" about the "thugs," and that the suburbs are the place to go until that happens. Mayor Johnson? Mayor Melton? Mayor Crisler? It doesn't really matter. It's all the same for the Clarion-Ledger editorial board, I suspect. They didn't report the new Morgan-Quitno numbers...but you can bet they'll report this, because it fits their agenda. And agreed on the comment re: Melton, which will no doubt get clipped when Donna sees it. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-10T23:43:55-06:00

ID

66149

Comment

Tom has a point. Melton seems to becoming the new Johnson for The Clarion-Ledger. I believe I predicted back during the campaign that they would do a sh!tty and cursory job of covering the campaign, endorse Melton, help him get elected—and turn on him dramatically when he wasn't able to fulfill all the stuff he promised, and that they bought. Then the whole B.S. would start all over again, with Jackson simply being a pawn in their corporate media game. That does seem to be happening. (Yes, I'll clip the offending comment.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T00:12:46-06:00

ID

66150

Comment

Thanks to WAPT for the strong sourcing tonight of where they got the crime stat report. We sent them a PDF of it earlier today, so they could report it tonight. And, as a nod to a TV station that is doing a great job on local coverage, we waited until after the 5 p.m. newscast to post the PDF here on the site so other stations couldn't swoop in and claim credit (as some others seem to be trying to do). So sorry to those readers who had to wait a bit, but we owed WAPT a favor for tipping us off to the Walker arrest yesterday morning. They get full credit for breaking that story. Y'all remember their hard work when Best of season comes around.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T00:18:25-06:00

ID

66151

Comment

Well, I noticed in the last two weeks that 2 FOR SALE signs have gone up on my block in NE Jackson. One white family, one black family. The black family told my wife they are moving to Terry, and the white family told me they are moving to Flowood. Both of them seem disgusted with the goings on downtown, but I'm not surprised; several of us on my block have been talking about moving out of Jackson since the beginning of the year. This news doesn't help things at all.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T06:32:36-06:00

ID

66152

Comment

I should add these were both Melton supporters. Way to go, Frank! Some of us can see right thru you and your crime fighting games.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T06:39:10-06:00

ID

66153

Comment

FYI: WLBT credited the JFP this morning when they reported the stats and WAPT said to see this issue of the JFP regarding crime stats. Interesting to see the media "working together" this time around... Well, 'cept for Goliath.

Author

kaust

Date

2006-05-11T06:52:56-06:00

ID

66154

Comment

Listening to Paul Gallo this morning on my way to work and he was going on and on about the stats, encouraging his listeners not to come to Jackson or stay in Jackson hotels because of the carjacking and burglary rates, but in the next breath saying that Jackson is a weak link in the chain that should be saved before all of the state suffers...the anti-Jackson media machine is going full throttle now.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T07:03:16-06:00

ID

66155

Comment

Hey, sorry for the offending comment. I didn't realize this was a joke-free zone. I never realized what I was going to miss out on when I recently emigrated from Jackson to Hattiesburg. The CL reads like a soap opera. Other people in my office come to work buzzing about what happened on "Lost," the former Jacksonians all come to work and talk about what's in the JFP. What's amazing is that Melton has continued to enjoy ~60% approval ratings, based solely on the perception that he's doing something about crime. I think the crime stats are going to inject a huge dose of reality into the public's opinion of Melton. You can't fight crime in Jackson by executing carefully staged photo-ops and zooming around the city in a mobile command unit. So far, the Melton era has been "a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Out! Out, brief candle! When's the next election? :)

Author

tonygunter

Date

2006-05-11T07:38:58-06:00

ID

66156

Comment

Oh, cool for WLBT! They are really growing on me, I must admit (interestingly, since Mr. Melton is no longer involved). That is very cool. They clearly got the stats from our Web site last night, and then did the right thing by crediting us for acquiring the stats and breaking the story Tuesday. Of course, I haven't looked at the Ledger today, but I'm sure they're going to tell anyone that they're copying us. Tony, no problem on the joke. I knew you were kidding, but we're trying to be fair about deleting and calling out "defamatory" attempts. No one's mad at you. Bear in mind that no one's polled on Melton in weeks, and a lot has happened. So who knows? I'm hoping to do another one soon, but everyone's been crazy busy.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T07:54:07-06:00

ID

66157

Comment

Nope, the Clarion-Ledger didn't credit us for breaking the story two days ago. To be expected; they don't know have ANY class as we all know. Also, did y'all notice that they still haven't PDF'd the actual document? Makes one wonder if they have it. Yesterday, they put up a short notice on the their Web site about it listing the overall increases. Then today—after we put the document up during the evening news—they write a story listing the numbers, but not PDFing the document. Someone let me know if I missed it out there. Otherwise, it's sad that this is going to be turned into an anti-Jackson thing when, at lesat for now, the focus needs to be on the mayor and police chief. I hate to say it, but if we don't see immediate response from Anderson, and leadership, she needs to resign. There, I've said it. We need a chief who can lead, and not be a lapdog for the mayor and his antics. Asap.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T08:01:07-06:00

ID

66158

Comment

Don't forget that a major problem here that the Gallos and Nesbit and Lanes of the world need to see is that their thug-hating tactics DO NOT FIGHT CRIME. Melton is doing what they wanted. And they were wrong, pure and simple. The former chief had a good community-policing approach going that was working, and they wanted to trash it so they had a midnight vigilante out there stalking poor neighborhoods with submachines. They got their man -- and crime is surging. Can we put all that crap aside, and start working together again to decrease and prevent crime in Jackson? We need to start by reinstating the Crime Prevention Unit. And by getting a real police chief who can lead and be accountable to the media/public. I don't want her wiping counters after the mayor prepares dinner and making bullsh!t excuses about "raw data"; I want her holding weekly press briefings, releasing regular numbers, giving us details about how she's fighting various types of crime surges in different areas. The. Games. Must. End. Let's make this conversation about the crime problem pay off, not just use it to once again bash Jackson and (black) thugs.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T08:06:04-06:00

ID

66159

Comment

I thought maybe I'd missed something, Donna! I looked thru the paper twice and didn't see one mention of Jackson Free Press releasing the crime stats. Imagine that (wink). I agree with you, this should be about holding the Mayor and his chief accountable the same way Johnson and Moore were reamed about the "perception" problem. Anderson might actually be a good administrator, but we will never know it because Frank won't let her run the department without interference. The truth is, a potentially strong police chief would probably not want to work for this administration because he/she knows that Melton won't back off enough to them do their job. The biggest problem in Jackson in the last 20 years is the lack of strong leadership over the police department in part because of the political nature of the position. We all know that Melton has a contingent of police officers with him 24/7, but what about all of the other beat cops out there who are patrolling the streets as usual? Why is crime up if police are on patrol as usual? Have Melton and Anderson redirected and mismanaged police resources so badly that criminals know they have free reign to terrorize the city? We need to demand that Melton and Anderson take responsibility for what they have done that led to this increase and look at ways to address it.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T08:18:53-06:00

ID

66160

Comment

Just caught a caller to WJNT identifying himself as a JPD officer (formerly of Precinct 1) alleging that the last administration was guilty of miscatagorizing the crime stats to supress the numbers, and that the new numbers reflect the truth. He also admits to being part of Melton's crime sweeps and is defending the mayor's actions. Again, I'm willing to believe that there was an attempt to soften the stats by Johnson and Moore, but if so why didn't someone make a formal charge against the administration, even if it would most likely have led to their dismissal? If the last administration was guilty of such gross deception, they should have been publicly called on it. Otherwise, it all sounds like rumors that no one is willing to go on record to back up.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T08:30:54-06:00

ID

66161

Comment

ejeff, all this makes me ask what do you change the stats to? An example is that a carjacking could become an auto theft. Yes, that makes a violent crime a property crime; but, it does nothing to LOWER the crime stats. You can't change a rape or a murder and you can't say a house or business wasn't broken into. Also, I have reason to believe that the one officer on the radio this morning who was with Melton at Batman's and other adventures is his bodyguard.

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-05-11T08:43:32-06:00

ID

66162

Comment

; several of us on my block have been talking about moving out of Jackson since the beginning of the year. This news doesn't help things at all. Here's the other side of that, who's going to buy these houses? and how much are sellers going to have to come off the asking price to get to the sactuary that is flowood?

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-05-11T08:46:38-06:00

ID

66163

Comment

Pikersam: I had the same suspicion, if this particular officer is the one I see as part of the Melton entourage. Again, if there was this kind of gross distortion of the crime stats by Chief Moore and his staff, why didn't he do a "Deep Throat" and blow the whistle and alert the media then instead of being another anonymous caller to a conservative radio show after the fact? Superstar: To be honest, there have been 3 houses that have been put up for sale since I moved there in 2003 and each of them were bought within 2 months of being put on the market. The problem isn't in finding a buyer, since NE Jackson is a prime area for real estate, but it may be harder to ask for top dollar at this point with the all of the negative press about crime. My wife and I have discussed moving to Madison several times, but every time I look at the ridiculous housing prices up there I back off. We've put enough work into our current house to make a small profit, but it will be offset by the huge increase in cost to purchase up there.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T09:04:46-06:00

ID

66164

Comment

The story that gets repeated often is that when a crime such as house burglary got reported, that if it even got recorded for ComStat, it was recatagorized to make that catagory go down or level off.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T09:08:43-06:00

ID

66165

Comment

I've heard that rumor, among many others, but every time I've asked for evidence, or pursued a lead on it, it turns out to be (a) not true, or (b) categorized correctly. So many people simply don't understand how crimes are supposed to be categorized int he first place. This is not only a problem here; when I was friends with the head of community policing for the NYPD, this was a problem there as well. Does that mean that stats never get "cooked"? Of course not. But like any other serious allegation, you need proof beyond, "well, some (unnamed) cops told me." Careful with rumors, folks, especially those spread by political operatives and, well, Frank Melton. I have copies of so many of the Bottom Lines, and it's amazing how many mistruths and unfactual statements are included. Then the media have just picked up his statements and repeated them as if they were fact. Also, without identification and looking into his serious allegations of a crime, that "officer" on WJNT is no better than some guy off the street spreading rumors about, say, Mr. Melton's past. As journalists, we taught to be skeptical until we have the evidence. And the good ones among us actually follow those teachings. Pike, get me a tape of that show, and I can tell you if it was one of Mr. Melton's bodyguards. Easily. Remember: They have a huge crisis on their hands with our breaking of this story. They will be in full damage-control mode. That should mean responding with true accountability, but the Meltonian way to date is to attack people and spread rumors. That's really unfortunate.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T09:54:32-06:00

ID

66166

Comment

I'll never forget the time I was mugged in the East Village in NYC, my old beloved neighborhood. It was some goober from outside the neighborhood in a fur coat, and we identified him, and called the police. However, because he had dumped my wallet, they said there was nothing they could do to him under the laws. I called my commander friend in tears, and he confirmed it. The moral of the story is that the laws aren't always what we think they are, or should be. And often a crime has to be classified "softer" in order to make it stick based on the evidence. P.S. Karma is something, though. While I was on the pay phone crying to my commander friend, a homeless man I knew who lived in the park there came back and heard me. When I hung up, he said, "What's wrong, sweetheart?" I told him about the guy, and stormed away. The next day, I heard that he and other homeless friends of mine beat the hell out of the guy from Brooklyn for picking on their friend. I don't advocate vigilantism, but it is a good story. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T09:59:48-06:00

ID

66167

Comment

I should mention that the police caught the guy and still couldn't arrest him. Left out that detail.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T10:20:21-06:00

ID

66168

Comment

The only thing I can say regarding purposely lowering reported crimes, is the beat policeman has sometimes been accused of trying to pursuade someone not to file a report of a crime. I have heard (and experienced) this for many years. Remember some 8-tracks being stolen from a car in our driveway around 1970 and the policeman saying it wasn't worth filing a report. I believe it happens occassionally and people sieze upon these episodes and perpetuate the stories. Remember, every crime, even petty, is important to the victim. The C-L did a complete review of the crime statistics covering a 20+ year period and published this a couple of years ago. The FBI has been publishing Uniform Crime Stats for a fairly long period of time. The past figures cannot be changed. They are 'carved in stone' so to speak. The current figures cannot vary too drastically or that would trigger investigations. I do not believe they are an inaccurate picture of the state of affairs. What I do believe is that they are a valuable tool to be used by both citizens and law enforcement. Not something to be used to bludgeon a whole city. The ones mentioned in previous posts above that make their living from destroying are parasites rather than the ones who try to build on positives. Law enforcement is not the enemy. Poor law enforcement is reflective of poor supervision. Poor courts reflect poor elected officials, both judiciary and legislative. All reflect badly on poor investigative reporting and education of the public rather than sensationalism. It works in balance and works well unless one area gets lazy and fat. Jackson's problems are not compressible into a soundbite. Most revolve around poverty and DRUGS. This requires thoughtful and consistent action; not loud reaction. Deception of the public at any level is counterproductive. Beating the drum on the radio is, in my opinion bordering on evil, and a needlessly negative method of making a living. Shame on those who perpetuate the bad without building on all the good. Its time for those who love Jackson to let our voices be heard on a more consistent level.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2006-05-11T10:29:38-06:00

ID

66169

Comment

OMG! Frank's Puppet has stated that the numbers had been fudged. "We have been informed that the stats were changed about a year ago," Anderson said during the weekly meeting with top police officials."

Author

millhouse

Date

2006-05-11T12:17:09-06:00

ID

66170

Comment

Its time for those who love Jackson to let our voices be heard on a more consistent level. Would that be a duet or trio? :D Otherwise, this says nothing new about my opinion of Jackson. Glad I left.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-05-11T12:51:23-06:00

ID

66171

Comment

Well, if the previous numbers were manipulated, there should be a formal investigation by either the A.G. or the FBI into whether there was a concerted effort by JPD at the precinct or command level to intentionally supress the crime numbers. This is a very serious charge, one that should have been brought forth publicly long before now if true. Personally, I say bring it on because I'm frankly tired of the rumors; put all the cards on the table and let them confirm that the last administration was cooking the crime stats. Because right now it looks more like a CYA move by the current administration to play the Johnson-card one more time. But I remain open to seeing what the truth is...

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T13:12:19-06:00

ID

66172

Comment

Ejeff, Madison is not worth moving to. I refused to live there although I graduated from high school there. They think they're better than anyone else. Ridgeland, my home town, got them beat in everything department and we aren't self-appointed and self-annointed like they think they are. I am getting a little jealous that they have started to create their own malls, restuarants, and so on. We wanted to keep getting their money and sending them back home.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-11T13:20:45-06:00

ID

66173

Comment

"Would that be a duet or trio? :D Otherwise, this says nothing new about my opinion of Jackson. Glad I left." What a great post. You really add a lot to these discussions. I look forward to hearing more of your opinions! :D

Author

millhouse

Date

2006-05-11T13:23:59-06:00

ID

66174

Comment

Ray, I agree with you. Personally if I were to choose to leave Jackson I would probably head towards the Byram/Highway 18 South area in Hinds County. There are some really nice subdivisions have popped up that way in the last few years. Madison has always struck me as too full of themselves to be worth having as neighbors. My wife and I have friends in Ridgeland off Steed Road who are trying to talk us into moving into that area, and that's really where I meant. To be honest, I happen to like Jackson, and I'm convinced that it is a diamond in the rough that just needs the right leadership, both public and private, to polish it and make it attractive for investment and potential new residents. But having a Mayor with almost zero credibility at the helm and a bunch of people around him who don't seem to care, it's getting harder to remain as optimistic as I was this time last year.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T14:15:48-06:00

ID

66175

Comment

I saw the WLBT news this morning also... "Source: Jackson Free Press" on every screen, and them mentioning us by name, and all the empty Free Press racks I've seen the last 6 weeks makes me think we've broken into another level, ... time to increase print numbers or something.

Author

herman

Date

2006-05-11T14:28:17-06:00

ID

66176

Comment

Donna, if the JFP readership expands from all of this publicity, will this become the Jackson Not-so-Free Press? ;-)

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T14:31:49-06:00

ID

66177

Comment

Or probably put the CL in second place reader wise. :)

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-05-11T14:58:17-06:00

ID

66178

Comment

Yes, Ejeff, Jackson has great potential. I'm all for it though I live in Ridgeland. I can see a riverwalk down town and so many other things. Jackson becoming a great capital city would enhance the whole state of Mississippi. The problem, in my view, is there are still too many Trent Lott and the likes. They are uglying up the state. These fellows and the likes do far more hurt than a slow Mayor Harvey Johnson or a crazy Mayor Frank Melton.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-11T15:00:34-06:00

ID

66179

Comment

Was the JFP at the news conference or meeting where The Chief said that the stats were changed a year ago? Who is the "We were informed by?" The FBI? They can say what they want; but crime is UP in Precinct 4 / Ward 1. Period!

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-05-11T15:01:40-06:00

ID

66180

Comment

Yes, we were there: Adam for the COMSTAT meeting, and then I waited for the chief in the hall to ask questions. I'll post some of that shortly. Also, Melton called me a bit ago and said he was glad that the JFP was the media outlet that got hold of the COMSTAT report and broke the story. Even thought some noise was made about the "leak" at the earlier meeting, he seemed to think that it was a great thing when he talked to me, and said that he plans to continue to be more and more open with the JFP. I'll have more later. One other thing: It is ridiculous for anyone to call this a "leak," at least in the Valerie Plame sense. This was a document with a City Clerk stamp. Under law, it is a public record that the city has been withholding, although we've been asking for it. It is the kind of "leak" that good journalism is founded on. It's really silly for anyone with the city to even imply that they are going to waste taxpayer resources "investigating" the leak of public documents. Melton seems to get that ... at least to me one on one.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T15:31:08-06:00

ID

66181

Comment

Up by how much, pikersam? The fact that it's up is something that we all "feel", but with the Chief coming out to "throw salt" on last year's stats, the City is could get dragged into a numbers game to point fingers at Johnson instead of an honest look at how to battle crime. In other words, we can continue to debate about how much/how little Ol' Harv did as mayor until the cows come home, but the real question is what is Mayor Meltdown doing NOW to get crime under control other than blaming others, running sweeps that don't seem to be catching anyone, cussing out talk show hosts, and posing for Keith Obermann? Melton can still turn this to his advantage if he shows the courage to look for guidance from his police force, the community, and the A.G. on what course corrections he needs to make. Or he can continue to with the "Walking Tall" imitation until even his staunchest allies admit that it's just not enough.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T15:35:41-06:00

ID

66182

Comment

We will always be the Jackson FREE Press, ejeff. The model of charging for a newspaper is a dinosaur; it was dying before the Internet took off. Now, it's gasping at its last breaths. Witness the Clarion-Ledger/Gannett Corp's desperate moves to control us sassy freebies that kick their a$$ on news. Gotta love them Clarion-Losers.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T15:39:07-06:00

ID

66183

Comment

The reaction by Melton and Anderson to the crime stats was fairly predictable, depending on which way the "numbers" came out. Had there been a decrease, Melton's "crime fighting" techniques would have gotten all the credit. My problem is that calling Melton's antics "crime fighting" is like calling Barney Fife a real policeman when we all know he was a wanna be. Maybe now they'll take "Barney" Melton's bullets away from him like Andy did with his Barney. Let's hope.....

Author

tomac

Date

2006-05-11T15:46:05-06:00

ID

66184

Comment

Ladd:"Melton seems to get that ... at least to me one on one" Seems to me all of Melton's "glad (ness)" over the JFP "breaking" the story on routine, public information was totally disingenious and further proof of his total lack of character. Wasn't it him who stopped providing this information in the first place? This reminds me of some old psychological mind game captors used on prisoners, make them grateful for anything they get. I don't need to tell JFP this, but Melton's "promise" to be "more and more open" with the JFP will come with a price and most probably motivated by his desire to get ya'll of his back......

Author

tomac

Date

2006-05-11T16:05:46-06:00

ID

66185

Comment

I'm just the messenger of what he said, tomac. And I don't feel particularly grateful. And certainly not like a prisoner. ;-) Most interesting to me are the different strains of the story that he seems to be putting out to different people. All that said, it rather deflates the argument of anyone who tries to say that he is mad about a "leak." If he is, he shouldn't misrepresent it to me in such a way, and tell me great things about the job we're doing. I've said it before: I have a force field. I was lucky enough to be born with one.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-11T16:12:33-06:00

ID

66186

Comment

ejeff, I believe some crimes are up 66% in P4. Also, as I was reading through the DA/Melton dust up, I came across this quote from Melton about Faye and her concerns about Melton from a WLBT story: The gloves were officially off starting with a Melton press conference Tuesday morning where he said, "Mrs. Peterson is trying to point the finger at me because of her incompetence." Could it be that Melton and Anderson are pointing their fingers at the past administration due to their own incompetence?!? Seems pretty convenient.

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-05-11T16:15:59-06:00

ID

66187

Comment

Could it be that Melton and Anderson are pointing their fingers at the past administration due to their own incompetence?!? Seems pretty convenient. Pikersam Pretty much. They are using the same playbook that Bush's cronies use, when the sH!t hits the fan, find a way to blame Clinton. Again, it's sad to see grown people, leaders of this city...resorting to finger pointing to deflect criticism of their own incompetence or mismanagement. And to think, Melton had the nerve to call the City Council meeting a side show/circus when he pulled the cameras from the chambers a few weeks ago. Assuming that's true, he's the Ringmaster.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-11T16:41:46-06:00

ID

66188

Comment

i am unhappy as the rest of you (of course some of your arent) so what do we do now this nut job is elected now what do we do to help our city? buy jackson and what else? lets get the ideas rolling to combat this!

Author

skipp

Date

2006-05-11T16:57:05-06:00

ID

66189

Comment

I'd say "Vote Republican Next Time", but I'd get lynched. :)

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-05-11T18:20:05-06:00

ID

66190

Comment

Not necessarily. I think Donna voted for Rick Whitlow, actually. :P And Daryl Neely was a really good candidate, though I've never voted Republican in a mayoral election. In fact, I've never voted for anyone but Harvey Johnson in a mayoral election--except when I voted for Melton in the general election last year over Whitlow, I guess. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-11T18:52:42-06:00

ID

66191

Comment

We won't blame you Tom, honest. :) Now if we can keep them from importing Madison to Clinton.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-05-11T20:03:14-06:00

ID

66192

Comment

maybe ironghost is joking maybe hes not so lets see if rick whitlow would be better than frank or if george bush is doing a great job maybe we think that Barbour is doing a good job wow i cant name too many good republicans and im trying seriously

Author

skipp

Date

2006-05-11T23:46:40-06:00

ID

66193

Comment

Local: 1. James Meredith 2. Charles Evers 3. Daryl Neely 4. Ben Allen 5. Amy Tuck National: 1. Susan Collins 2. Arlen Specter 3. John McCain 4. Lincoln Chaffee 5. Olympia Snowe 6. Christine Todd Whitman 7. Lisa Murkowski 8. Jack Kemp 9. Chuck Hagel 10. Christopher Shays Bearing in mind that "good" here is a relative term. But now that even Howard Dean has demonstrated himself to be a gutless wonder, I'm reaching the point where I'm happy with anybody who isn't politically indebted to white supremacists. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-12T00:17:38-06:00

ID

66194

Comment

Uh, asterisk Amy Tuck. She's growing on me with the food tax thing, but it seems that she, too, is buddy-buddy with the Council. Bummer. You know, Mississippi politics kind of suck across the board. No offense--there are things to love about our state--but Donna's right that this is still very much a Dixiecrat purgatory. And I like her reference to purgatory; that implies that maybe it'll be less permanent than hell. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-12T00:22:51-06:00

ID

66195

Comment

I'm reaching the point where I'm happy with anybody who isn't politically indebted to white supremacists. LoL i'm right there with ya tom

Author

William Patrick Butler

Date

2006-05-12T15:37:22-06:00

ID

66196

Comment

amy tuck? anywho, what do we do to improve jackson?

Author

skipp

Date

2006-05-12T19:13:04-06:00

ID

66197

Comment

anywho, what do we do to improve jackson? - skipp Elect libertarians.

Author

Liberty Dog

Date

2006-05-12T22:43:35-06:00

ID

66198

Comment

So everyone knows, The Clarion-Ledger isn't the only newspaper that tries to pass other people's stories off as their own. It's remarkable, really. The JFP gives full credit to other media outlets and sources when we pick up a story that someone else broke. But The Clarion-Ledgers folks are too lowbrow and scared to admit how they knew about the new crime stats. It's very telling. Real Mississippians are watching, Ledge. Keep making an a$$ out of yourselves. Please. Also, word is that a trash site in town stole our COMSTAT pdf from our database before it went live and tried to pass it off as their own, until our Web guru (Knol) kicked the crap out of them on their own site and made them admit they stole it from our site. Folks, y'all are all welcome to link to our PDF, but don't go around telling pathetic lies, especially ones that so easily debunked. It just makes y'all look like pathetic, jealous fools. Just sayin'.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-13T10:57:59-06:00

ID

66199

Comment

"anywho, what do we do to improve jackson? - skipp" If the good folks of Jackson had judged their votes by past actions of the candidates, then we would not be in this situation. Get to know the people who might be the next candidates. PLEASE, don't just take the media's word for who to vote for. See if the story the candidates tell on the black stations is the same story you hear in the predominantly white media. Look at who the candidates surround themselves with. Ask, indeed, demand, who they will keep and who they plan to replace. Know who they intend to fill which department positions within the City structure. If they plan to dismantle a department or portion of the department, know ahead of time. Who IS the Police Chief really does matter. Who IS the Fire Chief can drastically effect your insurance and your life. These are important parts of the City's ability to function and should receive attention from you PRIOR to casting your vote. Guess its obvious I believe there is not much you can do immediately except keep a constant vigilance and always talk positive Jackson. Continue to buy Jackson whenever possible. BELIEVE that we can and will get better. Do not let anyone convince you that any race is causing the problems. Criminals and druggies come in all colors. Don't litter and gather up any you can. Demand that the signs illegally placed are removed; call the telephone number on these signs and complain that they are littering. Call in pot holes and ask for repair. Vote yes on a bond issue if it comes along. Use the roll off dumpsters once a month when they are placed in your ward. Talk with your Council Member. Speak at City Hall. Go to Church. Mentor if possible. Help the elderly. Whatever!! Most of all, keep the faith. As Churchill said, there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Be of good courage. And, remember, we are the Capitol City of Mississippi and we are going to get better. Especially with your help.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2006-05-13T12:06:02-06:00

ID

66200

Comment

What I love is when they say something to the effect of "oh-my-God-she's-HORRIBLE for leaking this private document, another Ethel Rosenberg, call the Senate and convene a full investigation, and oh, by the way, you can download an identical copy from our site by clicking here." It's very much like those old news stories kvetching about sex and violence on television that (invariably during sweeps week) displayed their outrage by reshowing every sexually explicit and violent TV clip they could fit into a five-minute segment. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-13T12:10:24-06:00

ID

66201

Comment

Chris, that was BRILLIANT, my friend. Thank you. Well said, and agreed 100%. And really, a 16.4% increase in violent crime, unfortunate though it is, is NOTHING compared to what we had about 15 years ago, when there were upwards of 100 homicides a year. NOTHING. Jackson is on the up-and-up regardless of who the mayor is, and we need to preach that from the rooftops. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-13T12:13:59-06:00

ID

66202

Comment

Meantime, Tom, all they're doing is telling a handful of people what great journalists we have at the Jackson Free Press. We cultivate sources, we dig, we "do research" (as Carolyn Redd disparaged us for months ago), we're vigilant. We do our jobs. No apologies, for that, kemosabes. And we ain't done, yet. ;-D

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-13T13:44:08-06:00

ID

66203

Comment

Chris' ideas are GREAT, by the way. Perhaps we should think about assembling a "We Love Jackson" citizens' group to get these kinds of ideas out there? Thoughts?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-13T13:45:43-06:00

ID

66204

Comment

And, don't forget that much of the local media will hype the new crime figures however possible -- now that they've "turned" on Melton in their lover's spat. They will sensationalize the numbers all to hell, rather than focus on solutions. (Larry Nesbit was positively sputtering about thugs this week based on our breaking this story; of course, what else is new?) Thus, it's incumbent on the cool heads among to prevail and take the positive approach to speaking up for Jackson and preventing/decreasing crime again. We need to get back where we were a year year ago under Johnson/Moore and then work to continue those drops. Funny that The Clarion-Ledger still hasn't mentioned that Jackson dropped out of those Morgan-Quitno Top 25 Most Dangerous rankings during Johnson's last full year in office. They really are snot-nosed corporate brats.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-13T13:49:09-06:00

ID

66205

Comment

I was talking today with a well-known (unnamed) Jackson restauranteur. He had been one of Frank's original supporters. I asked him about his opinion of FM now. He replied, "You mean that whirling dervish of dysfunction?" So now Frank is the "WDD."

Author

HDMatthias, MD

Date

2006-05-13T17:40:50-06:00

ID

66206

Comment

With due respect to the people just now getting it, Mr. Melton was a whirling dervish during the campaign and for all those years as well. I've been watching tapes of "Bottom Lines" from the 1990s, and I'm simply astounded that anyone ever got taken in by that stuff. He's a bit better one-on-one -- at least he's likeable, which he wasn't at all on TV -- but he still can't mask that he's in way over his head. I think he truly thinks you "fight crime" by going up on people's porches. Remarkable, really. I guess too many people really want to hear someone thug-bashing (not to mention bashing, with true meanness, every other elected official), and somehow believe that some good can come out of that. I don't get it. It makes me wish the JFP had been here all those years. We would have led the way in asking real questions. But, hey, better late than never.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-13T18:24:34-06:00

ID

66207

Comment

I didn't find the word "thug" offensive until a few years back, when I did some digging on the topic of civil rights history and noticed how it seamlessly replaced more offensive rhetoric that, wouldn't you know it, refers to the same "element" that the word "thug" does. So I can't speak to Melton using the word often on "The Bottom Line"; if you say he did, I believe you, but I have no specific memories of that because the word would have meant nothing to me either way at the time. Remember: I was maybe 11, 12, 13, 14 years old when I watched Melton. Things sound different when you're that age, and not privy to what coded language really means. I do have a very vivid memory of something I saw on a local TV station--I'd almost swear it was WLBT--that came back to me a few weeks ago and has been bothering me a LOT. It was an African-American man, older than Melton, who gave one freestadning segment at the end of a news broadcast, similar in format to "The Bottom Line," in which he gave a forceful speech of five minutes or so--using the "N" word repeatedly (without any kind of censoring or dubbing), and saying that it was an accurate characterization of a certain class of black folks and should not be regarded as offensive when used to refer to same. It bothered me a little bit at the time, but I simply forgot about it for ten years or so until it came back to me very recently, and now it's bothering me again. Anyone else remember this segment, or have any idea who this might have been? This would have been in the early 1990s--probably 1992ish. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-13T19:42:49-06:00

ID

66208

Comment

I'm still lost on when we deemed "thug" racist.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-05-14T16:36:41-06:00

ID

66209

Comment

IG, it's not a racist word per se; it's the way that it's used to refer to a class of low-income minority youth, most of whom are not even criminals. And most low-income minority youth who are criminals aren't guilty of violent crime. And almost who are guilty of violent crime never actually kill or maim anybody. So really there are no more than a couple hundred credentialed "thugs" in this city of 180,000, but the word is one that is supposed to make me nervous about a much broader group of people. On a more just planet, "thug" would be used to refer to criminals of all ages and races who commit violent crimes. On this one, it is more commonly used as a way of dehumanizing people who aren't as financially well-off as we are, who represent the so-called "undesirables" in our city, whoever they happen to be. Of course, lyrics that celebrate "thug life" only play into this perception--and since the songs tend to be more popular with whites than black folks, there's a definite minstrel show dynamic to them. Wonderful line from The Boondocks: Granddad and Riley are watching TV when the video for "Thug Love" comes on. Granddad: "What's thug love? Is that when you make love to your woman, hit her upside the head, then throw her down a flight of stairs?" Brutal way of putting it, but you know, that's a damned good question. I'm not going to hate on hip-hop; there are too many white people doing that already, and of course hip-hop is an entire universe of music, not a single monolithic movement. But I do get depressed when I spend time fighting ethnic stereotypes only to realize that a new generation of kids, more white than black, are buying CDs that celebrate those same stereotypes and present them as an accurate reflection of how people actually live. How can I get people to stop thinking of black youth as "thugs" when there are countless millions of dollars being thrown into a music industry that says that's exactly what black youth are, or always aspire to be? It's depressing. Sorry, that was a non sequitur. But you know, I grew up surrounded by low-income black youth and there wasn't a "thug" among them. Everyone had friends, and favorite sports, and people who loved them, and dreams. And I don't think anybody picked up the world and replaced it out from under me since then, so I can only assume... A good friend of mine runs a program where we donate goods to a local youth detention center. From time to time, we get the sweetest thank-you letters. Is that supposed to be "thug love"? The world is a relentlessly cruel place. Especially to "thugs"--because that's how people get that way. It's not something to apply too broadly. It's not something to live in fear of. It's not something to celebrate. It just is. If there was one thing I thought I knew about Melton, it was that he understood this. Because he was so close to at-risk kids--these "thugs" that we're supposed to walk across the street to avoid, he invited into his home. While most people in his income bracket at least say a quiet prayer when they cross Gallatin, he spent countless hours volunteering at the Farish Street Y. I don't understand why his approach to crime isn't more realistic. He of all people should understand the circumstances that create "thugs," and what really needs to be done to save these kids' lives. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-05-14T17:32:34-06:00

ID

66210

Comment

Whether or not anyone wants to believe it or not--there are numerous reports from police officers that they were instructed to "water down" the type of offensed during the months prior to the election. I have spoken personaly to some of these officers and to people who experienced this when they were reporting break-ins. When you are comparing last spring (prior to the election) to this spring, this could skew the stats. However, by the end of the year we will have a better idea of the trends. And, people have been moving out of Jackson (or choosing not to come to Jackson when moving from other places) for about 15 years now. Just ask any real estate salesperson.

Author

realtime

Date

2006-05-15T12:43:27-06:00

ID

66211

Comment

Realtime wrote: Whether or not anyone wants to believe it or not--there are numerous reports from police officers that they were instructed to "water down" the type of offensed during the months prior to the election. I have spoken personaly to some of these officers and to people who experienced this when they were reporting break-ins. When you are comparing last spring (prior to the election) to this spring, this could skew the stats. However, by the end of the year we will have a better idea of the trends. And, people have been moving out of Jackson (or choosing not to come to Jackson when moving from other places) for about 15 years now. Just ask any real estate salesperson. Realtime, I'm actually open to believing there was an effort to depress or reclassify crimes to give the appearance of reduced crime. On 2 of the 3 occasions when I've had to deal with JPD I've been less than impressed with their professionalism (lack of) and follow-thru, but I also understand they work in a tough, often unrewarding profession and I try hard to cut them a little slack. What I would need to see to believe these claims is an officer or group of officers go ON RECORD to back up these stories. Not just to their friends or on talk radio, but as part of an FBI investigation, to be reported in the C-L or JFP. Until that happens, I'll continue to treat it as possible but not proven. And even it it is true, it still doesn't address whether Melton's tactics are working. I'm not from Jackson, but I've been told the exodus began around 1980 around the time crack first started hitting the streets and the murder rate shot up around 100 a year. We don't see deaths at nearly that rate anymore, but the effect of 'white flight' and the current 'economic flight' from Jackson trend has long been acknowledged. What is your point?

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-15T13:02:39-06:00

ID

66212

Comment

Actually, the flight began in earnest in 1970, realtime. We all know why. Would a single one of you anonymous (and even not-so-anonymous accusers) produce a single person to attest to these allegations? In all these years, not one credible witness has come forward. It makes no sense. Doesn't mean it's not true; it just means that no one should take these allegations seriously until there is real evidence. It is irresponsible to do otherwise -- especially knowing some of the liars who are spreading this.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T13:11:18-06:00

ID

66213

Comment

Do you know how many families fled the public schools and Jackson after the Supreme Court ordered immediate integration of schools?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T13:12:07-06:00

ID

66214

Comment

Donna, the problem is no JPD officers would be willing to step up and say it. I've talked to several who've said it and other fun accounting hijinks JPD does, but I doubt seriously any would come forward and admit it. ...and when did Intergration come into this? At least we didn't have open riots like Boston did.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-05-15T15:05:34-06:00

ID

66215

Comment

Sorry, I don't believe you, Ironghost. Be willing to step forward is always a problem—but if this problem were as widespread as Harvey Johnson's political enemies like to say it was/is, then they would demand an investigation by the feds, and cops would be interviewed/make deals, etc., like with any other investigation. The problem, it seems so far, is that a big, fat rumor has gone around that doesn't have people willing to support it. The "leads" I've followed have gone cold almost immediately; the folks who alleged this didn't like the mayor/chief, but then couldn't back up the claims. Again, it could be true -- but, so far at least, there isn't an iota of evidence that it is. Give me real evidence, and I will report it. Otherwise, be careful what defamatory rumors who pass along. It's irresponsible.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T15:09:33-06:00

ID

66216

Comment

No one's comparing us to Boston! Good Lord. Just because somewhere else had race problems, too (na na na boo boo) doesn't in any way negate our history or our responsibility. Someone brought up when people starting leaving Jackson and mentioned the early 1980s. That shows a lack of understanding of history. Just because talking about integration and related issues make some of you uncomfortable does not mean that it did not change this city and state forever (for the better, although we're still working out the kinks and having to challenge lingering racism). We're not going to stop talking about history, peeps, so settle in. Or clog your ears. Whitewashing is ignorant.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T15:12:24-06:00

ID

66217

Comment

Oh, I'd love to give you real evidence. But there just isn't any. I doubt I could find one JPD officer who'd be willing to go on record with all this.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-05-15T15:15:03-06:00

ID

66218

Comment

"Oh, I'd love to give you real evidence. But there just isn't any. I doubt I could find one JPD officer who'd be willing to go on record with all this." -Ironghost Then, what we are saying is that JPD is corrupt and needs to be overhauled.

Author

kaust

Date

2006-05-15T15:17:55-06:00

ID

66219

Comment

I doubt seriously that that's true -- if there is/were to be enough here to warrant an investigation. So far, it's innuendo, mostly coming from very uncredible sources. Now, again, that doesn't mean it can't be true. Just that, so far, there isn't a lot to recommend it as a theory. I've been asking questions about this for three years, and I'm a pretty decent journalist. Police officers tell me and my staff things, sometimes for background and off the record to help me ascertain what's going on. Why is it no one can support this so far? Again, we're all ears. But we need real evidence, not political posturing by people who do not now want to admit that their choice for mayor knows little about preventing and lessening crime.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T15:20:27-06:00

ID

66220

Comment

..... "If the good folks of Jackson had judged their votes by past actions of the candidates, then we would not be in this situation. " Most profound statement ever made in this topic. ...."Get to know the people who might be the next candidates. PLEASE, don't just take the media's word for who to vote for. See if the story the candidates tell on the black stations is the same story you hear in the predominantly white media. Look at who the candidates surround themselves with. Ask, indeed, demand, who they will keep and who they plan to replace. Know who they intend to fill which department positions within the City structure. If they plan to dismantle a department or portion of the department, know ahead of time. Who IS the Police Chief really does matter. Who IS the Fire Chief can drastically effect your insurance and your life. These are important parts of the City's ability to function and should receive attention from you PRIOR to casting your vote. " pretty much.

Author

JSU

Date

2006-05-15T15:21:04-06:00

ID

66221

Comment

Also, if you understand where COMSTAT is derived from, then it starts to make more sense that it is not as easy as you think to "cook" these raw numbers. These year-to-date comparisons are not between COMSTAT this year and final FBI numbers of last year. They are raw COMSTAT to raw COMSTAT. Any cooking would likely occur at a later stage. I hope this makes sense.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T15:23:19-06:00

ID

66222

Comment

Someone brought up when people starting leaving Jackson and mentioned the early 1980s. That shows a lack of understanding of history. Just because talking about integration and related issues make some of you uncomfortable does not mean that it did not change this city and state forever (for the better, although we're still working out the kinks and having to challenge lingering racism). Technically, the population of Jackson increased between 1970 and 1980 according to the U.S. census data, but mostly thru annexation. Whites started migrating out during that decade following court ordered school integration in 1970 and the trend hasn't stopped. I get that, alright? I don't need a history lesson on it, since the same thing essentially happened in Vicksburg. I was merely correcting realtime's statement that the migration started 15 years ago (1990) when it actually started much earlier than that.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-15T15:36:13-06:00

ID

66223

Comment

I didn't say it was aimed specifically at you, JSU. I'm also talking to realtime and others who think that "out-migration" started in response to crack or other "thuggery." Of course, crime didn't help -- but there is a severe need to trace back how our inner cities became hotbeds of crime in the first place. That is, if people actually want to reverse the trend rather than just point fingers. And there was a bit of self-fulfilling prophecying that went on to help make the inner cities hotbeds of crime, lest we forget. Still is.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T15:40:39-06:00

ID

66224

Comment

Sorry, meant to say, "ejeff," not "JSU." I get all the fake names mixed up. Sorry.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T15:43:12-06:00

ID

66225

Comment

Wouldn't it be nice if everybody used their real names or identity?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-15T15:47:30-06:00

ID

66226

Comment

I had an interesting conversation with a friend today. Her father ("Mr. C"), who lives in South Jackson, suffered a break-in on Friday. After brick or stone was thrown through Mr. C's small back window, a small person or teenager crawled through the broken window. As there was a large amount of blood on the glass and in the room with the broken window, it was determined that when the intruder crawled through the window, the intruder cut himself or herself pretty badly on the jagged glass. A few drawers and doors were open, but only three large items were taken. The items were recovered as they had been dropped over Mr. C's fence. It is surmised that either Mr. C or one of his neighbors came home and startled the thieves (or, alternatively, the injury was severe enough) so that they dropped their "loot." Mr. C called the police. A JPD officer came to the scene, told him he was lucky, and completed a form for Mr. C to use with the insurance company. The crime listed was "malicious mayhem." This is a crime that, according to Miss. Code Ann. 97-3-59, deals with people who "mutilate, disfigure, disable or destroy the tongue, eye, lip, nose, or any other limb or member of any person" during the commission of a felony. The only evidence of mutilation was the apparent injury to the intruder -- not to the victim of the break-in, Mr. C! While I have absolutely no proof that this crime was inappropriately listed to affect the COMSTAT numbers, it is one example of a way that a property crime can become a personal crime with the swipe of a pen. BTW: Mr. C's daughters were incensed and decided to call Frank Melton's office for some action. I'll let you know how that turns out. Newt

Author

Newt

Date

2006-05-15T15:52:56-06:00

ID

66227

Comment

Who was the police officer, Newt? Do you (or the victim?) have a copy of the police report? Let's dig out the problems that are there, not make baseless claims. Ferreting out the truth of these kinds of things would be a good start? Any experts here want to comment on what crime the thief should have been charged with on this, or have any thoughts about the "malicious mayhem" claim?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T15:56:58-06:00

ID

66228

Comment

ladd wrote -" Sorry, meant to say, "ejeff," not "JSU." just slow down....lol..I'm sure your fingers are about to burst open.

Author

JSU

Date

2006-05-15T15:57:07-06:00

ID

66229

Comment

that was a crackhead, Newt. they don't even know if blood is dripping off of them most times..lol

Author

JSU

Date

2006-05-15T15:58:43-06:00

ID

66230

Comment

Was it mayhem or mischief?

Author

kaust

Date

2006-05-15T16:00:26-06:00

ID

66231

Comment

From my understandingl, malicious mischief is considered a crime that occurs on or involves private property. So, a house burglary may be filed as "malicious mischief" and a car break-in may be filed the same way. So goes for a stolen iPod... Mayhem involves an individual/person. They are two distinct types of crimes.

Author

kaust

Date

2006-05-15T16:02:42-06:00

ID

66232

Comment

Looks like burglary of a commercial building or of a dwelling. I couldn't tell if the building was a dwelling house or commercial building.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-15T16:09:25-06:00

ID

66233

Comment

Newt, you should double-check and see what charge it was written up as. Knol is right; this one would make more sense at least. I've found that beause everyday people like us don't understand the charges, we often think that something is "worse" or "better" than it is. The same happened with the NYPD when I covered them. I've heard many people get upset because police "don't act like they care," when in fact they're not really supposed to. Not in a raging, emotional way anyhow. That said, there are plenty of bad and/or inept cops running around. What we often saw in the 9th in NYC were cops who downgraded things so that they wouldn't have to work as hard themselves. In other words, there can be many directions these kinds of issues can go -- and the rumor mill tends to be unreliable on them. I think Mr. Melton would be the first to tell you not to base assumption of guilt on rumor.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T16:13:20-06:00

ID

66234

Comment

Possibly larceny, too.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-15T16:13:26-06:00

ID

66235

Comment

I had heard this story over the telephone. At Ladd's request, I had Mr. C.'s daughter route me a copy of the "Case Information Card." While Mr. C's daughter had been saying "mayhem," the card says "Malicious Mischief." She's so upset right now, I didn't call her on it. Of course, her dad is now moving to Madison. So, Knol, you are right. No wonder I had trouble finding the connection with our mayhem statute! Isn't this the perfect example of exactly what Ladd has been saying: when you look for the actual facts, they peter out . . . Newt

Author

Newt

Date

2006-05-15T16:14:32-06:00

ID

66236

Comment

OK, that at least makes more sense. And I can't tell you how many times this is how it works out. Of course, the victim is upset, as he/she should be. And this certainly doesn't mean it's not done wrong -- and I don't know for sure that this classification makes the most sense. But it does show how these things get twisted out of whack, regardless of who's mayor. I don't get the moving to Madison reference, though. You couldn't pay me to drive those roads everyday back and forth with all those huge SUVs driven by people on cell phones. That's much more dangerous, IMHO. That doesn't take away from the seriousness of crime -- but fear is a weird animal. All that said, this mayor and police chief need to LEAD -- not tell us that all crime stops at the door of "Batman." They have no sense of how to calm "perception" issues -- Chief Moore at least understood the role of "perception" in criminal-justice scenarios, even if the MSM were too dumb to understand what he was talking about. The current administration simply fuels the flames, or ignores them. It's sad.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T16:32:28-06:00

ID

66237

Comment

Malicious mischief involves maliciously or mischievously destroying, disfiguring, injuring or causing to be destroyed... any property of another. Penalty is term not exceeding 12 months or fine in sum 2 fold the value of property destroyed.... It's a misdemeanor and usually tried in municipal court.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-15T16:32:29-06:00

ID

66238

Comment

As opposed to burglary, which is a felony? How do you usually tell the difference? Or make the decision how to classify?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T16:33:46-06:00

ID

66239

Comment

Also, Ray, what happens at the "charge" stage? That is, are lesser charges brought based on available evidence? That is, someone believes their house was clearly burglarized, but all the evidence that can be found points to, say, "malicious mischief"? Of course, this may bounce to the issue of the difference between arrest/clearance rates and crime rates. And as the chief herself points out, many crimes get downgraded after the COMSTAT stage because it turns out that they were not what they appeared. That's why you can't compare COMSTAT with FBI crime stats, as I understand it. Just thinking out loud here, folks. None of this is as obvious as it seems like it oughta be.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T16:37:35-06:00

ID

66240

Comment

Thus, if you follow the logic, the raw COMSTAT numbers should compare fairly with last year's raw COMSTAT numbers -- because the stage that would allow for doctoring hasn't been entered, yet. Thus again, the only way to say that this year's COMSTAT that we reported did not compare with "cooked" numbers last year would be to prove that COMSTAT numbers were doctored. You can't compare them with FBI numbers for obvious reasons. Those numbers are, indeed, based on what is reported on this end -- but at a later stage than COMSTAT. That's why these numbers are "raw" -- they are useful immediately in knowing how to re-allocate resources and the like, or to know if your neighborhood is a target, but they are only so useful in determining crime rates. So the chief is right that these numbers are going to be higher than the ultimate FBI numbers, by design, but she is wrong to try to hold them back so we can't use them to fight and target crime. It is true that they are bad news over last year -- but over last year's COMSTAT, not FBI figures. I'm not sure everyone is thinking this through.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T16:41:46-06:00

ID

66241

Comment

And, Newt, good for you for being straightforward about this. Nothing good comes from hyping up charges that aren't based on evidence. Cheers.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T16:43:08-06:00

ID

66242

Comment

Just a judment call oftentimes based on the amount of proof you have. The event above was, in my opinion, some kind of burglary because "a breaking into a property of another where goods for use or sale with the intent to commit a crime" occurred, or a "breaking into the dwelling house of another to commit a crime" likely took place.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-05-15T16:46:41-06:00

ID

66243

Comment

Agreed. It certainly sounds like it, although we are getting the facts third-hand. I want to be careful not to accuse this administration of perpetuating fraud, either.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T16:48:05-06:00

ID

66244

Comment

It sounds like in this case it should be house burglary... the breaking and entering of an occupied dwelling in order to commit a crime therein. I don't know, but it may be possible that the officer didn't know the difference? I do know that there are many newer officers on JPD. If this is the case, it should be corrected by the supervisor on duty... in this case the Sgt. There are places on the reports to change the crime if the supervisor thinks that the reported crime is inaccurate. The Sgt is supposed to review all reports and then sign off on them before they are sent up. I would start with contacting the shift supervisor and asking about the charges.

Author

Missy

Date

2006-05-15T16:56:15-06:00

ID

66245

Comment

Chortle: Folks on the Clarion-Ledger forums are giving that paper props for getting hold of these crime stats! Tee, hee. First, they don't have the class to acknowledge who broke this story on Tuesday night -- not Thursday -- and then they are going to stand aside and take the props for it. People: Adam Lynch acquired the crime stats. How? Good civic reporting. And the JFP will not rest until every public document is in the hands of the people. That's our primary role as a journalistic outlet -- to inform the people of what their government is doing. There is no more basic function for a media outlet than to hold elected officials accountable. There are plenty lapdogs out there. That is not our role. Remember that, Ledge, and you might not find yourself in such an embarrassing situation in the future.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T19:16:02-06:00

ID

66246

Comment

So, all this boils down to Frank being right not to release the numbers? If it's this confusing to us...

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-05-15T19:30:23-06:00

ID

66247

Comment

How does it boil down to that? Of course that's not right. This is public information; the public needs it. It just means that we need to look for more than political proclamations in the numbers; we need to look for ways to fight crime. COMSTAT can help do that -- even if the numbers end up being slightly different in the long haul.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-15T19:32:51-06:00

ID

66248

Comment

Our blogger, Doc Matthias, has a great letter in the Ledge today about the crime stats and SafeCity Watch. Cheers, Doc.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-16T10:50:41-06:00

ID

66249

Comment

In response to Mr. C's unfortunate incident. According to the information reported. That is a true House Burglary. If the officer actually wrote this incident up as a Malicious Mischief. A good supervisor would have caught that, and made the officer correct the problem. And, god forbids this got passed the Sgt., then the crime analysis unit would correct it. However, I have a couple of?’s for Mr. C or his representative. Is this the first burglary, if not how many prior to this one? Once you move to Madison County does this automatically isolate you from being a victim of house burglaries again? How did you make a move so fast, was this already in the making, and the Burglary happened at the right time so you could have an excuse hiding from the real problem? Enjoy, but I'm convinced you'll be moving back soon! To: The City of Jackson Administration: How about this administration releasing the numbers, and explains to the public the problem. If it is a problem. Da "KISS" Method! Fighting crime is not hard. Just address the public

Author

Wednesday

Date

2006-05-16T11:07:13-06:00

ID

66250

Comment

And of course I know, that is not the only element in Fighting Crime. Trust Me Criminals are not smart, it is just too many of them!

Author

Wednesday

Date

2006-05-16T11:16:13-06:00

ID

66251

Comment

This was, I believe, Mr. C's first incident. His daughter did call about the classification of the crime. I haven't talked with her since then, so I am not sure what, if anything, she learned from that. BTW: The move to Madison had been discussed previously. Mr. C will be moving in with his daughter, who lives in Byram but works in Ridgeland. After the intrusion, however, the timetable moved from 6 months to 3 weeks! He changed his mailing address to a P.O. Box in Madison yesterday. Do I think Madison will be better for Mr. C? I have no opinion on that. Not being from Mississippi and working in Ridgeland, my husband and I live in Madison (and try to steer away from the cell-phone driven SUVs!!). We considered buying in Jackson (I love the trees, sidewalks, just more to do), but our realtor talked us out of it with worries about the quality of schools and the delay that can occur if we wanted to sell the house. We've been in Madison for nearly 6 years now. On another note, I found it amusing the continuing theme from some of the C-L writers that the crime stat numbers were "leaked." I liked Donna's explanation: you can't leak a public document. Newt

Author

Newt

Date

2006-05-16T15:59:39-06:00

ID

66252

Comment

Newt, this would be interesting to follow up on. E-mail the info to [email][email protected][/email] if they're willing to talk to us about it. Also, all, I suggest posting similar incidents on the CrimeBlog so that we can look into them. Or, better yet, e-mail Adam directly with contact info so that we're not unfairly accusing any administration without having complete information. As for the "leak," yeah, that's damn silly. In 2006, a "leak" seems to have become anything the government doesn't want to tell the people that we manage to find out anyway. You can withhold a public document illegally, but you can't "leak" it. And there is no higher purpose for a journalism outlet than to obtain such withheld public information on behalf of the people. I'm very proud of the JFP team. They're good journalists, and they're fine Americans. ;-) Thanks, all.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-16T16:13:05-06:00

ID

66253

Comment

BTW, being that The Clarion-Ledger has been copying us on posting PDFs lately, did anyone ever see them post a PDF of the ComStat report, er, "obtained by The Clarion-Ledger." (Gotta love them passives.) I never saw it, and I find that a bit odd. If they "obtained" it themselves directly from the city, why not post it, too? Clearly, the public has great interest in seeing everything in it about their neighborhoods. Someone please correct me if you saw it posted on the C-L site.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-16T16:15:44-06:00

ID

66254

Comment

It's funny; the national NRA folks give credit to the JFP when they quote our reporting, but the local daily, er, "liberal newspaper" can't manage to. LOL. Also, Cam takes Melton to task hard in this Townhall column.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-16T22:58:38-06:00

ID

66255

Comment

Good column by Doc Matthias in this week's Northside Sun taking on SafeCity Watch. I don't think I've seen anything so forceful, yet intelligent in that paper ever. Way to go. We disagree on other things, but you are right on here. There should be nothing partisan about this issue, and people willing to defend anything Mr. Melton does and trash anyone who dares to question His Highness need to do some reading up on the ideals that make this country great. Go, girl. (Er, woman.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-20T10:35:31-06:00

ID

66256

Comment

Who could live in Madison? Have you seen that bizarre gas station up there with classical columns disguising the gas pumps? I'm all for regulating commercial junk-architecture, but that gas station is even uglier than the usual. How could you live in such a community without continually bursting into embarrassed laughter? As for cooking crime stats, I think Ladd makes the most important point, concerning the comparison of raw crime stats, which should be clean from later "softening." Also, how much could the numbers be changed, even at the final stage? What I mean is: even if the baseless innuendo is true, did police under the last administration soften the stats so extensively that they were able to hide 42 carjackings? (I know I am referring to ComStat again, but you get my drift. If the final numbers correspond at all, the point remains.) And then they stopped all at once when the Melton administration took power? Why would they do that? If the police routinely softened crime reports under the last administration, they did so for one of two reasons. One is that the police were saving themselves paperwork, etc. If that were true, there was no conspiracy and they would have continued witht he same unprofessional but essentially benign misconduct after Melton took charge. My God, maybe the numbers are still softened, and they're actually much worse! The other reason would be that there was a conspiracy throughout much of the police department that dissolved the moment Melton took power. To be effective, such a conspiracy would require broad participation from police officers. It would also require orchestration from their superiors. How could such a conspiracy operate and leave behind no evidence, no disgruntled conspirators willing to come forward and blow the whistle? None of them like Melton enough to give him this golden egg? Come on, people. It is totally illogical, whether there was a conspiracy or just general sloppiness. Neither can explain away the numbers we face today. And of course, that's assuming talk of cooking crime stats isn't just a bunch of bull anyway.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2006-05-20T13:23:09-06:00

ID

66257

Comment

Brian's right. People in Jackson are too smart to be taken in by unsubstantiated sound bites any longer. This was the crap that got us to this point -- especially with efforts by political groups like SafeCity Watch and Metro Crime Commission to fan the hysterical flames. But let's just declare those days over, and get on with actual community efforts to lower crime. I'm sick of stupid loudmouths lying about oru city for their own political gain. To steal a phrase from Mr. Melton, "It's over." The jig is up, gentlemen. It is a new day with better media coverage and people willing to question even people they voted for. If you can't keep up, get out of the way. No one cares.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-05-20T13:27:28-06:00

ID

66258

Comment

Actually Brian, we Jackson Fans over here in ATL have even heard of the gingerbread gas station. It's become the "Stone Mountain" of Madison. But come on.....theres a certain naivete' and innocence about it all. What I think is funny is that "Obelisk" on the other side of the interstate. I mean, could they have had something more civic minded that would have served a dual purpose and usefullness like maybe a large clock tower? But no......dryvit Dildo by the road......ego....ego...ego.....and not to mention about the "Ponte" Madison......I mean what's with the bridge thing? Anyway.....the landscape is littered with follies.....

Author

ATLExile

Date

2006-05-21T08:20:26-06:00

ID

66259

Comment

Not to be overly defensive about Madison (and not to highjack this thread any further), but the 1/3rd scale Washington Monument (which is a cell phone tower) is in Ridgeland. But we do laugh about that and the gas stations that are designed to look like train depots. To Ladd's point: what can we do? Although I live in Madison and work in Ridgeland, we try to go to Jackson for meals, shopping, ArtMix, etc. What else can non-residents do to help with Jackson's crime problems? Newt

Author

Newt

Date

2006-05-21T09:35:42-06:00

ID

66260

Comment

ooops well.....I can't tell where one Ridge ends and a Madison begins ......but, to claryify my point. I live in a town with vast burbs.....Atlanta would be nothing without her Suburbs.......So as The big "j" truly becomes the Big "J"......it is going to have it's suburbs. And I'll tell you, that is beyond a doubt the nicest Wall Mart I have ever seen in the Mad....say what you will. But what that one did for all the rest is documented. The renovations to the super "Wall" in Dunwoody look just like it. It's Wall Mart envy I tell you......!!!!. There is no excuse for these big box spans not to look like serious anchor architecture. It's just brick veneer and cast stone.....it's not the "Louvre". It's easy to make something nice and people relate to place. So I'm not knocking Madison...or Ridgeland or that new Renaisance Center in Colony. Great cities need their Suburbs. Oh, the cell phone tower. Well it still would have been better as a Clock......leave the Obelisks in Washington and Luxor.....

Author

ATLExile

Date

2006-05-22T09:13:34-06:00

ID

66261

Comment

The people who want to believe that crime stats were manipulated under the last administration will continue to view it that way regardless. And I doubt that Melton or his supporters could prove that the stats were dumbed down anyway, so its almost a moot point. The newly released numbers are the bar by which to judge Melton from this point forward, and we will see how effective his efforts are in a few months (assuming he doesn't suppress the numbers again)

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2006-05-22T09:58:16-06:00

ID

66262

Comment

On the topic of crime in Jackson... anybody notice the headline on today's online front page entitled "Church shooting leaves 5 people dead" under the Metro/State section? I assumed, of course, that this was a JACKSON news story. But, it turns out that it was from friggin' Baton Rouge! To the casual observer that may not even read that section online, it looks like another black eye for Jackson. The C-L must really be on a mission to clean this nation up if they're now into stories from other states. :rolleyes Maybe the headline guy needs a vacation or something. Yesterday, after a big article about the airport renovations and how they're effectively doing nothing to bring in revenue for the airport (no new flights), a related, completely misleading headline stated "More Flights Planned for Jackson". This one revealed that this is in their 20-year plan to add more flights...not exactly visionaries, but the headline was totally out of context.

Author

millhouse

Date

2006-05-22T12:09:42-06:00

ID

66263

Comment

I just saw that The Clarion-Ledger posted crime stats yesterday (showing crime up 14 percent year-to-date). It's good to see that their lawsuit is working on all of our behalf. I hope it continues, so we don't have to spend our time ferreting out the crime stats from our unnamed sources. Which we will continue to do as needed, of course. But it would be nice to get these stupid arrogance problems solved so we can get to all the stories that we don't get around to when we're spending all our time on the basics. Also, it bears noting that The Clarion-Ledger didn't even get very interested in accountability of this city administration until this year and, I believe, after they were dropped from their part of the Meridian lawsuit. (And after Melton got mad at them.) Bear in mind that they didn't give a damn when they saw Melton mistreating other media and thumbing the city's nose at the public trust until it was turned on them. We stood up for them as Melton went after them, even as they tried to pretend we didn't exist (as they were hatching schemes that would hurt our business and telling their staffers not to mention us). Needless to say, I don't put much credence in Agnew's column today. He's acted like it's personal all along; why should we believe anything different? It's good that The Clarion-Ledger has brought its vast resources to bear in its lover's spat with Frank Melton to help open up records, but that doesn't mean they look any better in the process. Ledge, the public's been watching how you've covered Melton, and haven't, and when certain decisions were made. We're not idiots. I do hope all this is a sign that The Clarion-Ledger is going to try to rebuild its credibility among readers. It may take a while, but it's certainly something they need to so. Oh, and a hint: Trying to strongarm your competitors out of the market ain't gonna help y'all. Mark my words.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-06-04T11:46:32-06:00

ID

66264

Comment

"It wasn't our battle, but yours." Aw. How sweet. Gannett trying to care. Cute. [/sarcasm]

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-06-04T14:37:01-06:00

ID

66265

Comment

Personally, I'm still giggling about the Clarion-Ledger golf shirt. Do they wear those to work??? And look at this language at the end: . The newspaper is now promised that its requests for public documents will be acted upon, which is all we wanted. "its requests"? It's clear that The Clarion-Ledger is worried about itself here. It still smells like petty lover's-spat stuff to me. Hopefully, there will be a positive outcome for the citizenry, accountability wise, but Goliath still sounds just like Goliath in this column.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-06-04T14:40:31-06:00

ID

66266

Comment

Reading it again, that sentence I just quoted from Agnew just kills me. Taking the passive out and making the statement more active (and readable), this is what it says: All we want is for the city to act upon this newspaper's requests for public documents. Thanks, Mr. Agnew. Thanks, Clarion-Ledger. Good to know where your interests lie. As if we didn't. And note how that statement contradicts the headline: Records fight wasn't our battle, but yours

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-06-04T14:44:07-06:00