Jackson Free Press

Mayor Frank Melton addressed the city's remarkable increase in violent crime with a tour of dazzling technology at the new Technical Operations Center.

Before carting reporters off to the center, located in the state emergency building beside the Eudora Welty Library, the mayor spoke on the upcoming police strategy to battle crime.

Some of those ideas (PDF, 100 KB) will require significant funding commitments that the mayor did not describe.

Melton wants to implement night court, but did not outline what that endeavor would cost. He also said "additional jail space will be secured immediately," though he did not explain how he would do so.

Regarding funding, the mayor said, "I've been talking with Ben Allen and we're going to come up with something."

Melton also wants to counter the police shortage by putting specialized units, including commanders and executive staff on patrol. But sources inside the police department say there are no more than maybe three official "desk jobs."

"There is really no such animal as 'desk duty' in the police department," said a source inside the police department who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media. "Detectives go on patrols, as do the Quality of Life officers. There's a vehicle manager, but the 'desk job' in the evidence room is no longer there. Everybody's already doing patrols at some point in their work hours. That's a smoke and mirrors statement."

The Technical Operations Center was paid for by a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The center currently has about 45 cameras in action, though the system has the potential for 246. The system revealed to reporters today cost about $300,000, though Chief Anderson said "you haven't seen all the bills yet."

In the operations center, cameras showed about 15 different areas of the city, such as the corner of State and Fortification Street. Melton said the cameras can be in neighborhoods, too.

The mayor said the system will be activated "immediately," though he did not give a date. Anderson said she would like to see the system operational by Monday.

Previous Commentsshow

Again, he has BIG ideas and no way to pay for them! The story is also updated on the C-L website and it states that he wants to activate SWAT teams in the tougher neighborhoods. Ok, did you not cut down the number of SWAT team members? I will be so glad when this circus leaves town!

honey2me

Jun 8 2007

I really don't expect much from WJTV. I'll never forget the fawning, completely amateur interview they conducted with Sarah O'Reilly-Evans last year, during which the reporter listened to O'Reilly-Evans whine about the difficulty of fulfilling public records requests and never once asked a question that was even minimally challenging. Still, their initial report on this new "crime plan" is really some of the worst "journalism" I've ever seen. That is to say, it is not journalism at all, not when you just parrot everything a city official said, with no attempt whatsoever to ask real questions. The anchor can hardly hide her excitement about the police being able to look "almost anywhere you can think of in the city." "Melissa, this looks like some hi-tech stuff." The reporter explains that you have to "see it to believe it," and then she says that the cameras will be "all over the community." She assures us that the cameras "will not be used to invade people's privacy, this is just another tool for police officers." How would she know? She makes no attempt to explore the issue, and doesn't even explain that the cameras supposedly automatically black out private residences. She just repeats the assurances she heard from Melton et al. Then, the reporter tells the anchor that comparing the system to the film "De Ja Vu" is a "very, very very good comparison." She then explains that they have the--gasp!--ability to rewind the tapes. Like a "Tivo," she says. (But can they use satellites to get long tracking shots down halls and even make level eye contact with a character, as if the satellite were sitting in the same room? I'm sorry, but I just saw "De Ja Vu" and the technical aspects were God-awful dumb.) Naturally, Melton wants drug dealers to know that they will be able to zoom in on "certain drug-dealing corners." "A new crime plan indeed," the anchor concludes. I hate to be hard on other reporters, but good grief. You really have to see this report to believe how bad it is.

Brian C Johnson

Jun 8 2007

Brian , i saw the same report at noon. the funniest part to me was wjtv showing footage of the cameras zooming in on a lady eating at the mcdonald's on fortification and the reporter saying "you can even see what someone is eating for breakfast" and the she said that the cameras will not be used to invade anyone's privacy! lol.

jd

Jun 8 2007

I saw the same report, and I was sickened by the report's willingness to trust Big Brother. This is Jackson, Mississippi. Have we learned nothing about unchecked government surveillance?

Brent Cox

Jun 8 2007

The only thing that is new (to jackson) for crime fighting is the Night Court. Something Jackson's has needed for several years. Hardly a new or brilliant idea though. However everything else, including the cameras (all the rage in every other city too), are all efforts that JPD should be doing now. Gutting the desk jobs (to which it appears there are none left) is not going to put many more feet on the street. BTW: Are we going to pay Marcus Ward overtime so he can practice his Reserve JPD skills at night? ;-) I bet he looks all cute dressed up in his uniform working roadblocks with a big shiny flashlight! I can hear the ladies, and a few men, swooning as I write this...

pikersam

Jun 8 2007

So, we get a 3 page memo to fix the budget, and a one page memo to fight crime! Damn Your Good!

pikersam

Jun 8 2007

You guys still watch TV to get news? As to the TV monitoring, I suspect that is one desk job in the works, perhaps 3 assuming 8 hour shifts. How will night court impact crime, if the criminals have to stay in jail overnight, isn't that what we all want?

GLewis

Jun 8 2007

Now there's a great job. Watching cameras for Uncle Frank. Wonder if everyone will get reported.

Ironghost

Jun 8 2007

Those cameras scare me, especially if they can get as close in to you as they can. Google is developing technology that will allow you to see things at street level as well. That's scary as well. With that said, seems like the city would save a lot of money on cameras if they wait on Google.

golden eagle '97

Jun 8 2007

Just thought about this: how about setting up a camera at Frank's house?

golden eagle '97

Jun 8 2007

Oh, I'm pretty sure there are a few eyes on Melton. Home, work or play...

pikersam

Jun 8 2007

FYI: After pausing and re-pausing and slo-motioning the WAPT report, it appears as though EVERY camera is simply a linked line to the cameras on the Interstates and a few MAJOR intersections throughout the city. This cameras have been up and primarily used by MDOT for monitoring traffic (if I'm correct). From what I could tell, there are NO NEW cameras. Every single shot showed feeds from Lakeland/I-55, County Line/Ridgeland Cam, etc... These are pretty much the same cameras the news will use during the weathercasts (actually, I think it's WAPT that uses them). Why did no one bother to ask what's so special about this? Most of the cameras are fed via the Internet. Expensive set of smoke and mirrors.... How many crimes actually take place at these major intersections and on the Interstate? Next to none. These cameras will have little-to-no impact... Much like the Eye in the Sky. Cameras are everywhere and record. Police use recorded footage all the time. Real-time screening of huge sections of street aren't going to prove valuable unless it's a living being within proximity to help PREVENT a crime. You'll also notice that MDOT details the location of EVERY camera. So, a criminal with 1/4 of a brain cell would know exactly which route NOT TO TAKE. Further, how many are actually in West/South Jackson which seems to be a hotbed for violent crimes right now? The answer is two... P.S. That restaurant was the McD's on Fortification and State... The camera is actually mounted a few feet from it. That's one of the only ones with good access to parking lots and places where a crime might occur.

kaust

Jun 9 2007

Oh, that's how he's paying for it. He's hijacking MDOT's feeds. He'd better not piss off Brown up there. Those guys in charge of MDOT make the keystone kops look like Mensa and the Mafia like a kindergarden playgroup.

Ironghost

Jun 9 2007

Okay,so who will monitor these fantastic cameras?

GRNY1

Jun 9 2007

IG, I don't think he's hacking... They have controllers. It's probably a partnership. All that's "NEW" is their ability to watch them on large monitors and interface with them. It's a good first step but it doesn't help if they're not systematically spread throughout the city (re: London).

kaust

Jun 9 2007

Wonder if the cameras on High Street or Fortification/State will help with this: Jackson City Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon and her husband were robbed at gunpoint today in front of their house in the Belhaven area. [Probably not!] Source Something tells me crime and the lack of a real crime plan are about to become even more focused in City Council. Poor Shirlene and her fearless, bat-toting leader are about to take a clobbering.

kaust

Jun 9 2007

Knol: Ah. Still cheap and useless of him. :)

Ironghost

Jun 9 2007

Ol' Pike will say it.... I think 'someone' was sending the Councilwoman a message. "Crime" can get you too!

pikersam

Jun 9 2007

Uncle Frank is watching us. Chief Anderson said that employees would sign a pledge promising not to zoom in on us while we shower.... plzzz, give me a break. Who's going to watch the them watch us? Another 1 page crime plan - how long, how long will we have to suffer?

lanier77

Jun 11 2007

Ol' Pike is right. Looks like the "crime cameras" are nothing more than glorified traffic cameras. State and Fortification streets High and Greymont streets U.S. 80 and Robinson Road High and Jefferson streets State and Rankin streets I-20 and Valley Street Lakeland Drive and I-55 State and Fondren Place I-55 and County Line Road Note: Cameras on the interstates are used by the city with the Mississippi Department of Transportation's cooperation. Considering lots of crime happens South of Hwy 80 towards McDowell - why no cameras? And not one on West Capital? Ellis? Clinton Blvd? That must be where the "secret" cameras are!

pikersam

Jun 12 2007

Nope..... Gotta be Woods Street and maybe Maple Street at Bailey!

ChrisCavanaugh

Jun 12 2007

I'm more surprised to not see W Ridgeway St on the list! Of all the places...

pikersam

Jun 12 2007

Can anyone say Johnson Administration/formerChief More/Lynde Maple Study. I cna't believe that there is not a single new outlet that gave the Johnson Administration credit for the camera slystem. REMEMBER: These cameras were installed in certain high-crime areas and were being monitored. It was not glaring informator so that criminals would know where not to strike. melton's first week at work was PAD LOCKING the building and firing the camera operator(s). This was a huge news story. What happened to all of those news reports. melton did not want those cameras. Now that his crime fighting crap has backfired, he is trying to do and say anything that makes him look smart. This is just too crazy that NOBODY is reporting this! All three local News Channels and the CL have introduced this as a new project: thought of, developed and implemented by melton. Shame, Shame, Shame.

justjess

Jun 12 2007

justjess strikes again with her flashlight of justice! Watch the roaches run! LOL

LatashaWillis

Jun 12 2007

justjess, you are right. I seem to remember an article or TV news story during the election talking about how the "center" they were building next to Eudora Welty was a waste of time, that he didn't need cameras - he needed able bodies, etc... It was either him or one of his supporters at the time bemoaning the money being spent. Time to start digging for those stories.

pikersam

Jun 12 2007

Please accept my apology for the poorly written but, heartfelt and factual blog I submitted earlier today (11:53am). My entry was laced with mispelled words. I was rushing and I guess my mind was ahead of my fingers. LOL!

justjess

Jun 12 2007

Justjess: I'm think Harvey used them for traffic, but I'm not 100% on that. Maybe we should hit google and see...

Ironghost

Jun 12 2007

IG, I do think he originally gutted this as justjess says. I think within the first month or so, he dismantled the COPS program, stopped using COMSTAT properly, fired the COPS officers (who really looked out for the older folks BTW!), and got rid of grant writers who helped the police get money for things like this center. So, my guess is this would have been rolled out over a year ago if Melton wasn't mayor. Let's not forget the $200,000 he refused from UMC for Fire Services. Just think, two years of that is $400,000! That somewhat softens the concept that an under qualified person is acting as Chief. Or, paves a neighborhood road, say like... Riverwood! The list goes on... It goes to show that not only does he not mange well day to day. He doesn't think of the long term effects that a "flippant" decision here or a "flippant" decision there makes. No foresight. No sense of the past. And, clueless at present! That's our Mayor - Mayor Melton! Damn He's Good!

pikersam

Jun 12 2007

Night court, eh? Sounds great. Now the DA will be able to not prosecute criminals 24 hours a day, getting them back on the street even faster.

laughter

Jun 12 2007

Before carting reporters off to the center, located in the state emergency building beside the Eudora Welty Library, the mayor spoke on the upcoming police strategy to battle crime. Some of those ideas (PDF, 100 KB) will require significant funding commitments that the mayor did not describe. I finally got around to looking at the PDF, and I have a question: That wasn't the actual strategy, right? Was that the table of contents? Don't get me wrong - I know that there is only so much you can reveal when fighting crime, but I expected a little more than that.

LatashaWillis

Jun 12 2007

Law talker, aren't we talking about municipal night court? Take your rabies shot.

Brian C Johnson

Jun 12 2007

Okay . . . . City prosecutor, then, if you must, Brian. In the future, I'll try to contain my fits of apoplectic rage. Like the one so obviously reflected in my post above.

laughter

Jun 12 2007

Can anyone verify that crime is way up in the council's wards that don't support FM & has decreased in the "three" councilmen's wards that are his puppets? These three wards were historically the highest crime areas in the city, why the sudden change?

Fitz

Jun 12 2007

As if night court matters. The city prosecutor says openly that almost every case is dismissed because the officers do not come to court, the witnesses do not come to court, and everyone knows this. She says she gets about 1 plea and 1 conviction a day and then, there is no room, so who cares,.. She also told me, "this is a great job I don't do much, I don't have to think, and everything just goes away because it is not worth the effort for me or them.. Also nobody cares, I lose, win, settle, whatever... they all get dismissed and they are not my problem" I am an abused spouse a metaphore for the slow. I love this city, it keeps hurting me. I get robbed twice, I get a damn plant stolen off my porch,I work and nothing. I offer too volunteer to help the city... Nothing the ultimatum is set, I get robbed or my wife does we QUIT And yes we are arming ourselves. This city has NO leadership, no vission, and no coordination. It is sad that I left the Art museum Friday night with a renwed sense of hope, until I rounded the corner, was asked for change, or if I wanted to "score", while the one officer sat in his car I am at the stage of being very tired. I have fought for this city, I defended this city, I decried the exodus, I want it to improve... I am tired... AGamma627

AGamm627

Jun 12 2007

AGamma, Your whole letter is worth more investigation. It reflects the apathy I feel. We must get this in the open and discuss. We need a vision regardless of the lack of one by leaders. Help someone?

ChrisCavanaugh

Jun 13 2007

What if Wake Up Jackson could broaden its scope to shed light on problems in the city justice system? I'm willing to do whatever it takes to educate people on the gross ineptitude in our government.

LatashaWillis

Jun 13 2007

Yes, the building was padlocked. The grant was written to the Department of Justice and a $1.5million grant was received by the City of Jackson. There monitoring room was shown on news stations with the door padlocked! The commentary from our news sources was simply the mayor is shutting down the operation. Now; however, the crime fighting tool is "NEW." Johnson and Moore used 20 of the cameras for traffic and another 20 for high crime areas. They did not publicly announce exactly where they were located because the "hunter would be captured by the game." Guess what? Former Mayor Johnson is listed in the telephone book and I'm sure that he would be more than glad to let us know what he did and when he did it. This does not have to remain a gussing game.

justjess

Jun 13 2007

Pikersam, the City could use that $200,000 + turned down by melton which by now could have been $400,000 +. There are still far too many people saying, "Let the ma-ya do his job." Still others think that he is truly fighting crime. He's fighting alright, TAX PAYING CITIZENS of all races, creeds and colors.

justjess

Jun 13 2007

I don't know if this addresses all of your concerns, jess, but here's a link to the print edition of this story, set to hit the streets this evening: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=13934_0_4_0_C Also, note Brent Cox's comments on the cameras.

Brian C Johnson

Jun 13 2007

To quote from the print edition: Melton’s showpiece was the result of somebody’s else’s hard work, however. “We sent out for that U.S. Department of Justice grant when I was in office,” said former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. “There were some cameras in place when I left office, and we were the ones who got the money to fund them. ... For a year or more, I heard, it hasn’t been utilized, but we bought the equipment, the cameras, the whole nine yards.”

Brian C Johnson

Jun 13 2007

Also, an astute reader pointed out to me that WAPT covered this two years ago. Credit where it's due: http://www.wapt.com/news/4631242/detail.html

Brian C Johnson

Jun 13 2007

I knew justjess wasn't wrong on this. However, I guess that the Ledge isn't the only media outlet with institutional memory loss. How about a WAPT follow-up story pointing out that they did a story on the camera operation center when it first opened in June of 2005? What's with the forgetfulness WAPT? They then should follow that up with mention that Melton closed it, and now came back and tried to introduce it as "new." Their current news report came across as awe-struck at the "new" crime fighting tool that the City has to use. I don't think they have changed any reporters in the last two years, so this is not like them to forget! I know these TV news people are not fans of a crime ridden City either; but, that doesn't mean we overlook facts that are extremely important to the story!

pikersam

Jun 13 2007

I think the problem is that they didn't go into the story with that much interest in it, really. None of the big three seemed to show much more than a "meh" in it, according to my rumor-source.

Ironghost

Jun 13 2007

Good point ironghost. Though in this day of computers you would think a TV station would catalog their stories by person, event, story topic, and other tags so they could easily go back and make sure there isn't more to the story. Heck, I would tape my competitors newscast too, so I could bring up their stories to compare, etc... They may do this better than I imagine, and just overlooked it.

pikersam

Jun 13 2007

With regard to crime fighting technology, I have two words for you: Gay. Bomb. I lived in D.C. for awhile, and let me tell you, when these guys move into a neighborhood, crime goes down, while nightlife and average income go way up. If we could switch just a few thousand Jacksonians to the other team, we'd be sitting pretty, folks.

laughter

Jun 14 2007

we don't need to switch 'em, LTG, they are out there, just not necessarily "out there"

Izzy

Jun 14 2007

Who is monitoring the cameras? What are the qualifications for this highly sensitive position. This is really more smoke from fm and the boys.

GRNY1

Jun 17 2007

So, Melton announces the spy cameras and then forgets about them. Typical: Seven weeks after Mayor Frank Melton touted a camera surveillance system as a crime-fighting tool, the system is still not fully operating as advertised. The cameras, part of the Technical Operations Center, were unveiled among Melton's police strategies at a June 8 news conference. City personnel explained that the system could record at the push of a button. But Police Chief Shirlene Anderson said last week the system can't record. Melton said Sunday he had been under the impression that the system was capable of recording. He said the camera system had been "off my radar screen" until a Clarion-Ledger reporter asked him about it last week and that he would take another look at it to see what improvements could be made. Good for the Ledge following up on this, for a change.

DonnaLadd

Jul 30 2007

Ladd, they could solve this problem with a couple of $50 PC tuner cards, a few hard drives, and a visit from the Geek Squad! Derrr... Isn't "recording" the most important part of videoing something? How many family vacation videos have met the fate of, "I forgot to push Record, honey."

pikersam

Jul 30 2007

I saw that on the news this morning, and I was like, "?????"

LatashaWillis

Jul 30 2007