Jackson Free Press

"First 48," an A&E network program that follows police for the first 48 hours of a murder investigation, won't be shooting in Jackson if Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. has anything to say about it. At a press conference this afternoon, Johnson announced he was vetoing the Jackson City Council's early June decision to allow the program to be filmed, saying he wants Jackson to be seen as a "destination city" and the show wouldn't advance that objective, reports WAPT.

"This is not in anyway belittling the work of the homicide investigative unit. It's because of their good work that this particular program sought them out," Johnson told reporters. "But when you look at the big picture, when you look at how we want Jackson portrayed nationally, I feel at this time, it's not in our best interest to go down this course."

Johnson indicated that the Council would back his veto.

Mike Sheridan, a producer on "First 48," told the Jackson Free Press in June that the show was a way to improve relationships between police and the community.

"It puts a human face on the detectives," Sheridan said. "Typically, we find that the crimestopper tips do increase."

Earlier this year, however, Memphis elected not to renew its contract with the show, citing concerns from public officials that the show was attracting negative attention.

"I heard out-of-town people say Memphis was out of control," City Council member Wanda Halbert told the Commercial Appeal at the time. "We were exposing the world to the worst aspects of our city."

"First 48" has filmed in 15 cities, including Birmingham, Miami and Dallas.

See also:
[Editorial] 'First 48': This is Transparency?
Johnson May Pull the Plug on 'First 48'
JPD Goes Reality TV

Previous Comments

ID

150061

Comment

Yeah, even though local newscasts already pump negativity into almost every "Top Story", we should stop these network shows from showcasing Jackson's finest solving crimes. It would be counterproductive.

Author

jbreland

Date

2009-07-24T15:59:31-06:00

ID

150076

Comment

People that are victims of violent crimes and their family members including relatives and friends should not have to relive the loss of their family members are the violent crimes that they have been subjected too. Jackson needs to show that positive interactions and problems resolutions between people instead of every thing being negative. Mayor Johnson is right, Jackson does not need anymore negative publicity. There's a lot of good people in Jackson that are during positie things in the city and their communities, let push these type programs. This would let our young people that it is O.K. to do good things instead of watchin all the negative programs on the television.

Author

Tony Davis

Date

2009-07-25T09:43:26-06:00

ID

150084

Comment

This is kind of peripheral to the First 48 story but did anyone else see this? I'm speechless. "ABOVE ALL ELSE"? Someone please explain. WLBT brushed off during Melton estate sale JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - The sale was bittersweet for those who admired the late Jackson Mayor Frank Melton. "I came out for historic reasons. Frank was a good man. I admired him, just to have something of his was a great privilege to me," says Mildred White, who bought several items at the sale. People filed off Mayor Melton's property with furniture, accessories, and other items that have now become keepsakes. One man bought Melton's WLBT identification badge, and his Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics nameplate. "It was just personal. Very personal," he says. Charles Reid walked away with a piece of art. He lives right up the street, and knew the late mayor. "He'd walk a little bit in the end. He tried hard in the end, he did," Reid says. As we spoke to people about their fond feelings, WLBT News received quite a surprise. DESPITE THE FACT THAT MELTON WAS A PUBLIC FIGURE AND WLBT SUPPORTED HIM ABOVE ALL ELSE (CAPS MY EMPHASIS), our news crew was kicked out of the estate sale. "Y'all need to leave. Ms. Melton has asked for privacy," an unidentified woman told us as she stepped in front of our camera during an interview.

Author

annyimiss

Date

2009-07-25T20:45:24-06:00

ID

150089

Comment

So much for the whole "transparency in government" theme of his campaign. I feel that we have one of the least professional police departments I have ever encountered. Politics has a way of stifling excellent police work. I think actuality is what the administration is afraid of. Perception can be crafted, especially if no one challenges the perception. Do we want perception to be our primary driving force? It would appear Mr. Johnson is hback on his old track.

Author

Slider

Date

2009-07-26T12:51:35-06:00

ID

150090

Comment

A national entertainment show that sensationalizes crime has nothing to do with "transparency in government," Slider. I'm glad Johnson agreed with us (we editorialized that he should cancel this stupidity weeks ago). The producers of this show have no obligation to balance, the community, the victims/alleged perpetrators of crime or the businesses that would be hurt by going along with exploitation of our city's problems to help entertainment media make money off us. They would have shown the worst of Jackson. Johnson done good.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-07-26T14:13:50-06:00

ID

150099

Comment

Is there a thread on the HBO Special, "Prom Night in Mississippi", that needs discussing?

Author

Goldenae

Date

2009-07-27T09:08:52-06:00

ID

150107

Comment

I am so happy that Johnson decided to cancel the shooting of the FIrst 48. Jackson is finally on the brink of COMING BACK. The only thing the First 48 was going to do was stifle Jackson. Thanks Mayor Johnson

Author

Tell it!

Date

2009-07-27T10:47:26-06:00

ID

150144

Comment

I disagree. JPD does have some good oficers and detectives. Harvey saw that a three year tv deal would cover the majority of his term and the show would be concluding during the next election cycle. This is not a very transparent move. I see many of these JPD officers on a nightly basis and many of them are to be commended. I wish more of you could see what I see.

Author

ellis

Date

2009-07-27T22:55:26-06:00