Jackson Free Press

Throughout public debate of the allegations that Mayor Frank Melton and associates demolished a Ridgeway home, Councilman Kenneth Stokes has applauded Melton's actions. At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Stokes said: "We have to fight these dope boys by any means necessary. The mayor used a sledgehammer. I would have used a bulldozer."

Both Melton and Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes argue that the block containing 3505 Ridgeway is a haven for crack cocaine deals, and Stokes describes the violence as striking a blow against rampant drug dealing in the area. JFP reporters witnessed dealers working their trade one week after the demolition, less than 60 feet from 3505.

Sgt. William Gladney, who is over the city's vice and narcotics division, ducked questions regarding the number of narcotics officers deployed by JPD, claiming that answering such questions could endanger officers' lives. He did say that there were more narcotics officers than there were two years ago, but he provided no numbers or evidence. Police Chief Shirlene Anderson did not return calls regarding the matter.

Sheriff Malcolm McMillin said he suspected that the new administration had taken its narcotics unit off the street, however, and an unnamed source inside JPD said the unit was virtually disbanded to cut costs.

Stokes claims that the majority of people in his ward support Melton's actions but won't speak on the record for fear of retribution from criminals. He introduced JFP reporters to two neighborhood residents who asked that they not be named.

Stokes and other neighborhood residents claim that the police are indifferent to calls coming from Virden Addition. "These (drug) dealers down here just make you crazy," one Virden Addition resident said. "This used to be a nice neighborhood, but now folks are walking the street at all hours of the night, and old folks like me just stay inside and don't go out anymore."

The aging Jackson resident showed the JFP a bullet hole in her front window. She pointed to a playground in the mist of thick weeds. "They come to that park out there and fire off their guns to let everyone know that they got their new shipment (of drugs) in, and there's nothing anyone will do about it," the resident said.

Still, she expressed reservations about Melton's methods. "There might have been a better way to do it," she said.

Jerome Smith, whose mother lives in the neighborhood, was willing to go on the record and was unreserved in his support of the mayor's actions.

"Man, at least he's doing something. I hate these people messing up my neighborhood. I don't live here now, but I grew up here, and I hate the way it's changed. Hell, my momma still lives here, and she's afraid to go outside or do anything. She's like a prisoner in her house. If I could take a hammer to the (drug dealers') heads, I swear I'd do it myself, because there don't seem to be any other way to make a difference," Smith said.

Previous Comments

ID

66795

Comment

Sheriff Malcolm McMillin said he suspected that the new administration had taken its narcotics unit off the street, however, and an unnamed source inside JPD said the unit was virtually disbanded to cut costs. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT???????!!!!!!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-09-14T00:21:59-06:00

ID

66796

Comment

I find it hard to believe that we have "more" officers in any department. Also, none of Kenny's witnesses specificly pointed out the house Evens was RENTING as a drug house in this article. I think that if we actually had more officers they would have the time to increase patrols in that area. All I know is if D. Sweet can sue 10 unnamed police officers because they were with Melton, then they are not being used the right way. And that my friends is all about leaership and management. Kind of hard to fight crime if you are escorting the MCC around town!

Author

pikersam

Date

2006-09-14T09:07:12-06:00

ID

66797

Comment

Kind of hard to fight crime if you are escorting the MCC around town! True - which I think explains the increase in property crimes.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-09-15T09:51:37-06:00