Jackson Free Press

In the Nov. 28 interview with mayoral candidate and former Jackson Police Department officer William Bright (Vol. 11, Issue 12), the Jackson Free Press misquoted Bright in talking about the Jackson Police Department's "DARK program." The program he was referring to is the DART--or Direct Action Response Team--program. Bright said that JPD stopped the DART program when he was still an active officer.

In response, Jackson Police Chief Rebecca Coleman told the JFP that JPD's DART program, which began earlier in 2012, is still in effect, contrary to what Bright said. The program focuses officers in what Coleman called "known problem areas" as well as putting them on location at special events around the city. Coleman said JPD operates the DART program on a daily basis.

City Communications Director Chris Mims also provided information to the JFP that contradicted another of Bright's assertions. Bright claimed that he had not seen the city use grants for youth programs. If he hasn't seen them, it's not because they aren't there, Mims said.

Under Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., the city received a $425,508 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to implement adult-supervised activities after school and during the summer in an effort to reduce youth crime. The city also received a $295,993 grant for a Youth Entrepreneurship Training Program that works alongside the Jackson Public Schools to introduce students to basic business skills.

The city also received a $41,300 juvenile accountability block grant to introduce 25 at-risk youth in the Henley Young Juvenile Detention Center to video production and mass communications skills. It also provided case management and counseling services to 
young people in the facility.