Clement Gibson
Editor-in-chief
City and state leaders along with residents of Jackson are concerned about the city’s high homicide rates.
Only 44 days into the new year and there have already been 14 homicides— one person is killed every three days in Jackson.
The deaths are coming in all ages. Victims have been anywhere from 19 to 62 years old, but over half of the victims were in their 20’s.
There were 34 homicides in the first four months of 2018, a record for Mississippi’s capital city. The only other year comparable to 2018’s four-month stretch is 1995, when 31 people were killed.
2019 is on pace to have about 40 homicides in the first four months on the new year, a number that would set a record for Jackson.
If this rate continues, Jackson will have over 130 homicides in 2019. A huge spike from the 68 in 2016, 64 in 2017 and 84 in 2018 according to the Clarion Ledger.
According to WJTV, Governor Phil Bryant and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba met on Jan. 22 to discuss different ways to fix the city’s homicide problem.
Following the meeting, Bryant spoke to the media about what he thinks it will take for Jackson to reach a solution.
Bryant stated, “It’s going to take an entire effort; state, local, and federal authorities are working.”
The governor also encouraged the support of law enforcement officers because they’re in the middle of a war.
“I know the US Attorney’s office has been working on the gang issues in the city of Jackson, but people need to know that this is a subject that has to be addressed and you have to support your law enforcement officers where they’re out there in the middle of this war and that’s truly what this is. It’s a drug war, it’s a gun war, and lives are being lost,” said Bryant.
Nick Armstrong, a junior theater major from Jackson, Miss., is worried about the crimes and how close they are to his home.
“It’s getting closer to my street as of late. Especially the one where a pastor was killed. It worries me every day,” said Armstrong.
He continued, “Honestly, there is nothing to solve it. There will always be evil when there is good in the world. Unless there’s a balance between the two, the ugliness of people will continue to rage.”
Ramone Davis, a graduate speech communications major from Jackson, Miss., said leadership is the issue and reminisces on days of Milton as mayor.
“I feel like it falls under bad leadership from our major and other officials. I remember when Frank Milton was our mayor and he had no tolerance for crime in the city,” said Davis.
Lynina Miller, a sophomore biology/pre-medicine major from Detroit, Mich., stresses the importance of being aware.
“Anywhere I go, I know there is a possibility that something can happen. I try not to be afraid of going places, I just try to stay safe and aware of my surroundings regardless of where I am.”
Organizations like Families First go into the community to talk with students and families about crime prevention.
Bryant feels that this organization may help the current situation at hand and has offered their services as a possible solution.
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