Jackson Free Press

The Jackson Police Officers Association and the Jackson Free Press are presenting a town-hall meeting with police officers and other concerned citizens for real talk on fighting crime in Jackson. JFP Editor Donna Ladd will moderate the discussion in the Department of Education auditorium (the old Central High School) at 359 North West Street in Downtown Jackson (print map here) on Thursday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. A reception and fellowship will follow.

The confirmed panelists are: Juan Cloy and David Domino of the Jackson Police Officers Association; Chief-Sheriff Malcolm McMillin, Rev. Hosea Hines of the Concerned Clergy of Jackson; Ret. Police Officer Charlie Smith; District Attorney Robert S. Smith; former Assistant Chief Edna Drake; Assistant Chief Lee Vance and City Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon.

Residents and neighborhood groups are encouraged to attend, although we are accepting no more panelists. Because we expect a high volume of questions, participants are encouraged to e-mail questions in advance to [e-mail missing] or fax to 601.510.9019. Please indicate whether you want your name to be announced when your question is read. Also be in touch if you would like to donate snacks or help display or distribute flyers. You can also call 601.362.6121 ext. 2 for information.

Previous Commentsshow

I planned on being there tomorrow, but I'm some unexpected dental work done (long story). Hope all goes well, and I'll try to think of some questions.

LatashaWillis

Mar 26 2008

Here are two questions that any member of law enforcement could answer: 1) When you file a complaint or if a report is done because of a burglary, etc., the officer gives you a card with a case number on it. What is supposed to happen after that? Is the citizen supposed to call JPD for an update on the case, or is JPD supposed to follow up with the citizen? 2) I have a brother with autism who is intimidated by children who either live on or regularly visit our block. When he goes outside to check the mailbox or retrieve trash cans, they yell "fire" and get a kick out of him running into the house. This has been going on since my brother was a teenager, and he's 27 now, so this teasing is being passed on from one generation to another. An officer told me that nothing could really be done about it. What do you think?

LatashaWillis

Mar 27 2008

Latasha, on 2), police complaints escalate feelings and can lead to retaliation. Maybe you can solve the problem by thinking out of the box instead of looking for outside help to fix it for you. Put a tall fence and some fast growing hedge, maybe even a large storage shed, on the front property line as a visual barrier. Get a zoning variance if necessary. Move the the trash and mailbox to a location that affords your brother a less exposed, more private approach. Buy him a new disc-man and headphones, some of his favorite cd's so he can put it on and block out what they're saying when he's out. Work with him to desensitize him to the word "fire" so maybe he'll just laugh when they say it.

willdufauve

Mar 27 2008

Thanks for the tips, will. However, the only ones I think we'll be able to do would be the headphones and the desensitization, although I have tried desensitizing before. I would love to put up a fence if I had the money. I know the sanitation workers won't pick up trash if it's not on the curb, and the letter carrier doesn't bring mail to the door unless she has a package that's too big for the mailbox. Everything is pretty much done from the curb in my neighborhood.

LatashaWillis

Mar 27 2008

I have a neighbor, too. I got some damaged 6 foot high stockade fence at Home Depot for $10 per 8 foot long panel. They ship the panels stacked on pallets, a lot of them get slightly damaged in shipping and they can't sell them, so I asked the manager to save the damaged ones for me. Instead of fence posts I used $4 pressure treated landscape ties. Some of those I got cheaper damaged too. Then I painted it chartreuse green with big yellow smiley faces.

willdufauve

Mar 27 2008

I have a brother with autism who is intimidated by children who either live on or regularly visit our block. When he goes outside to check the mailbox or retrieve trash cans, they yell "fire" and get a kick out of him running into the house. This has been going on since my brother was a teenager, and he's 27 now, so this teasing is being passed on from one generation to another. An officer told me that nothing could really be done about it. What do you think? --I think if you give me an address I can be there in twenty minutes with a shot gun. ;) I had to get on to a friend of mine recently for meeting my asperger's nephew and telling him to "go play in the traffic" without realizing that this child would IMMEDIATELY head for the street. I gave him a good tongue lashing and believe they save a special spot in hell for people who tease mentally ill children and adults like this. (I will say my friend was not aware my nephew was Aspergers...which I quickly explained) AND, after all that, I would like to see LW's first question answered. I can't tell you how many of those little cards I get that seem useless. They ain't even pretty enough to hang on the wall. :P

Lori G

Mar 27 2008

"-I think if you give me an address I can be there in twenty minutes with a shot gun. ;)" - Lori G Oh Lord, please send me a few woman friends like this. If someone doesn't think to do a "Women of Jackson Free Press" calendar, they're missing a very big opportunity.

willdufauve

Mar 27 2008

thats sexist...kick him off ms. july...i mean donna

skipp

Mar 27 2008

Then I painted it chartreuse green with big yellow smiley faces. Oooh, I thought Romper Room was off the air. Sounds like you were painting a daycare. LOL

LatashaWillis

Mar 27 2008

thats sexist...kick him off ms. july...i mean donna ROTFL!

LatashaWillis

Mar 27 2008

Ms. July can kick me off if she wants but just don't shoot me with that shotgun...we're having company for the weekend.

willdufauve

Mar 27 2008

Whatever. I proposed a Chicks of the JFP calendar long ago. :P

emilyb

Mar 27 2008