Jackson Free Press

Major crimes in Jackson dropped 13.6 percent last week, according to statistics released today at a Jackson Police Department command staff meeting. Officers reported 142 total property crimes, down from 168 the week before, and 29 violent crimes, down from 30 the previous week.

Overall, property crimes are down 2.9 percent compared to this time last year. Violent crimes, which dropped nearly 10 percent last year, are up 19.3 percent compared to 2009 numbers. Precincts 2 and 4, which cover the western and northeastern parts of the city, respectively, both reported substantial decreases in crime from the previous week. Precinct 1, in south Jackson, and Precinct 3, in northwest Jackson, both saw increases of roughly 25 percent from the week before.

For the year to date, Precincts 2 and 3 have seen overall decreases in crime, while Precincts 1 and 4 are reporting increases of approximately 10 percent over 2010, largely due to spikes in violent crime, especially armed robbery.

Assistant Chief Lee Vance told the department's vice and narcotics squad to redouble its efforts around Cohea and North Farish streets, which he said suffer from frequent outdoor drug sales.

"That area, as we all know--it's almost like fumigating your house," Vance said. "You go in, you take care of it, and it comes back."

Commanders from Precinct 2 and Precinct 5, the department's mobile precinct, also presented their plans for traffic control during Mal's St. Paddy's Day Parade, March 20. The department has enough metal traffic barricades to secure the parade route along Capitol, State and Lamar streets, but will use police cars along Court Street, the parade's final leg.

Read individual crimes here.
Read an overview of major crime here.

Previous Commentsshow

Thanks 4 the recent stats. JPD is more responsive of late. We need 2 remove bad cops. Ones that support drug trafficking. Cops distributing or protecting gang trafficking does immense harm to the city. FBI and state police resources are needed to root them out of the force. Chief Coleman and the Mayor need to ask for federal help. I suspect we have dozens of sworn officers trafficking with dozens more compromised because of their institutional and personal knowledge of fellow officers. Occupational screening also has to be effective. Corruption creeps and contaminates the entire force. We need a new US Attorney as well.

Aeroscout

Mar 12 2010

JPD & the US Attorneys Office had been very effective in charging felons with firearms possession but the city has backed out of the initiative. With violent crime going back up the city needs to reset this partnership. Its also difficult to understand why the President has been slow to appoint a US Attorney here...is it state party indecision or lack of commitment to public safety?

Aeroscout

Mar 12 2010