Jackson Free Press

You get two points for every problem you can point out with this little ditty in The Clarion-Ledger about all the shootings that have been happening "near" Hamps. Have fun and read closely.

Previous Commentsshow

Well, I'm not sure of the editing errors; but... This club is very near the Upper Level, and is allowed to operate "Melton-free." Prior to the Crooks, the last shooting was this past Dec. Before that, you had to go back to 2004 where someone was shot near-by, and 2002 for a "road rage" incident. Also, the Precinct 3 Cmdr. Gwen Nicks has been on the job only 9 months, and says she's received no complaints. So, what do you call the triple shooting that happened Dec 28, 2006 Commander?

pikersam

Jul 9 2007

I'm not talking about editing or writing on this one. Carry on.

DonnaLadd

Jul 9 2007

Writing is not the problem with this one: The problem is the unfair and discriminatory way this administration goes about dealing with problems. IT's all about who and where you are and based on what side of the toast your bread is buttered. So, what's going on that Hamp's could have such a negative eventful history; yet, the mayor and his cronies have not taken hammers to tear it down: Have not arrested the owner or have no reported cases of illegal search of its patrons. The CL has not done the kind of reporting of these happenings that would attract others to even know about these things. If there is an underage drinking party every Wed. night, why hasn't JPD raided the joint, handcuffed the owner/manager and called in franks boys to beat the hell out of him/them while in handcuffs??? Ain't nothing wrong with this story; but, something just ain't right.

justjess

Jul 9 2007

I guess Melton's under aged young men are hanging out there?

pikersam

Jul 9 2007

Someone just e-mailed that both Bluntson and Hampton's names are spelled wrong. Bluntson's last name, and Hampton's first name is apparently Caleb, not Callop. What a funny error if that's true. These aren't what I was talking about, though.

DonnaLadd

Jul 9 2007

The 17 year old is breaking curfew. And, for some reason the guy who was shot in Dec. "Blackmon" seems to ring a bell? Is he someone we should have heard of? The Police Commander can shut the club down? He said a club closure would be a decision made by the precinct commander, who could take into consideration the number of complaints.

pikersam

Jul 9 2007

The fact that the author also writes columns for a paper in Georgia? :D

Ironghost

Jul 9 2007

Well, here's a biggie for me. As Pike said above: Prior to the Crooks, the last shooting was this past Dec. Before that, you had to go back to 2004 where someone was shot near-by, and 2002 for a "road rage" incident. The Clarion-Ledger seems to be trying shoehorn this into a trend story about shootings at Hamp's—and failing. One wonders if a crime happens in the parking lot of, say, Bravo, if Jeff Good would be blamed? You know the answer. As for the road rage incident: does that mean they got angry driving and pulled over in that parking lot? If so, what does it have to do with Hamp's? Also note that their main source in this story is someone that, apparently, Hampton wouldn't let in the club. Maybe there is a problem with shootings "near" Hamp's, and it has something to do with the club. But this story in no way is convincing on that point. It rather reminds me of all the trend stories about crime in the black community that bend over backward to associate "nearby" crime with Lanier High School, the Upper Level and whatever other place is considered a haven for crime. Twisting the truth into trend stories is a very big waste of journalistic resources. Folks, it only serves a sensationalism purpose. And we all know that The Clarion-Ledger would never, ever do that. No way.

DonnaLadd

Jul 9 2007

I also thought the crowd on Wednesday nights there is older, but maybe I'm out of touch.

DonnaLadd

Jul 9 2007

I'd also like to see all the addresses of the shootings they list back to 2002. It seems odd that they wouldn't include the addresses. This is a classic making-the-news story. The Clarion-Ledger clearly asked Bluntson if he was familiar with the "chain" of shootings near Hamp's, and he responded. They then called his response a story. I mean, considering the story they ran top right on Page 1 today on the DA race, they are really hurting for something to put in the paper. Remarkable, really, considering how many stories are going untold.

DonnaLadd

Jul 9 2007

The CL does not have any type of Investigative Reporting skills, they just report the "Big Story" not in depth. Besides that story @ Hamp's, what about The Bird Land. The city's latest homicide was reported near The Birdland this weekend if I'm not mistaken. And, this will not be the first homicide or shooting at this location either.

Roc

Jul 9 2007

Well, the D.A. story today is one of the worst examples I've seen of their abysmal reporting/editing skills. Lord. I'm just reeling from that one. Reminds me of when the editorial board blamed the D.A. in its headline for Melton settling in the gun cases last fall -- when it wasn't her case. They just seem so ... clueless. Then again, some of it seems purposeful. They've aided and abetted Melton on his witchhunt for this D.A. for years. Remember them actually endorsing a man who had never tried a criminal case -- and who quoted outdated crime stats -- in her last re-election campaign? It's remarkable to watch how they shoot in the dark at her, yet act like it's perfectly normal to have a completely ineffective police chief who has allowed the mayor to turn her into his maid-enabler-in-chief. That paper is pitiful. And I don't know what can be done about it until the Gannett Corp. recognizes that they have a very serious top-down problem over there. The morale among their reporters is pitiful -- because they're not getting good guidance and training. I feel bad for them; at the same time, they need to step up and do better reporting, and learn not to write backward stories filled with passives, for God's sake. Imagine having that kind of writing in your portfolio as you job-hunt. I shudder for them.

DonnaLadd

Jul 9 2007

I know this isn't supposed to be about editing, but: Rodney Crook was shot twice, once in the chest and once in thehip. Jermany Crook was shot in both legs. Come on. The city's latest homicide was reported near The Birdland this weekend if I'm not mistaken. And, this will not be the first homicide or shooting at this location either. Isn't that a club that Melton frequents?

LatashaWillis

Jul 9 2007