Ellington

As Adam Lynch broke last issue in the JFP, Police Chief Robert Moore announced a major drop in major crime this week (he had predicted 30 percent to us, but the final numbers showed 25 percent). Clarion-Ledger editorial today:

"That Jackson's major crime is down by 25 percent in the first half of the year compared to a year ago is great news about which Police Chief Roger Moore has a right to crow. ‘We are well on our way to a banner year,' the chief exults — and Jacksonians should be happy, too. This is especially merited since long-range statistics show improvement, as well. Major crime in Jackson during the first quarter decreased 31 percent from the previous time period; and 2003 saw overall a 3 percent drop in major crime from 2002 — the lowest since before 1988."

It's good to see The Clarion-Ledger give credit for it and lose the hysterical, sensationalist tone that marked its coverage last year and, instead, offer reasoned solutions on how to further improve the system. They're starting to sound a bit more civic these days.

Previous Comments

ID

173109

Comment

I cheered last night when I saw this on the news... I certainly know a few people that have a mouthful of foot this morning.... Glad I had Cheerios and fruit instead. Cheers to the city and supporters of the city that saw past the wave of crimes and saw the bigger picture! *Did I mention various forms of cheer to much? ;-)

Author

kaust

Date

2004-07-08T11:29:12-06:00

ID

173110

Comment

True, except allow me to play devil's advocate. As I pointed out in one of my earlier crime analyses last year, when you play the statistics game, it is easy to manipulate the numbers. I say this without examining this year's statistics myself, so that's a caveat, but remember that crime spiked dramatically in February 2003 over a drop in February 2002 -- that was the jump that the C-L and other media got all bent out of shape over without paying close attention. So it was easy to say that crime was way up for early 2003, and not really be accurate. By the same token, it could be possible not to take advantage of those spikes and drops to say that crime is dramatically down now -- when it could be somewhat holding steady. And the proliferation of guns in black communities is certainly causing us big problems -- it would be very interesting to see what would happen if the state would crack down harder on guns. Just in case what I'm saying seems muddled, take a look at the story, "Crime, Playing the Numbers Game," that I did last year. In a point that the hysterical-crime folk ignored, I actually pointed out that crime was not as bad as the media was saying, but not as good as the police were saying. You know, my bias and all. ;-) My point has always been that hysterical (or euphoric) headlines based on crime statistics are a bit of sound and fury, no matter which way they turned (interestingly, a point that the mayor also made to me in an interview) -- although we sure needed more positive ones to balance out all the stupid front-page crime coverage we got last year from various places, so we didn't scare everyone out of the city. The truth is, our crime problems are much more systemic and complicated than was being presented then. I think the city and country are trying to deal with the underlying issues with community policing, but it's not easy.

Author

ladd

Date

2004-07-08T11:38:56-06:00

ID

173111

Comment

Yup, context is everything. It's like the "haves, have-mores" quote in the Michael Moore movie, which is discussed in the Open Letter to Michael Moore in this issue. One sentence, or one number, does not tell a story, no matter how much we want it to.

Author

kate

Date

2004-07-08T14:04:49-06:00

ID

173112

Comment

My whole point during the "perception" hysteria of 2003 is that nothing of substance was getting through on the crime issue. We had to calm that down, so that we can find out what is really needed by all of us to make the community safer. The C-L has gotten somewhat better, I must say. Thank God. Their sensationalism had everyone worked into a frenzy. And nothing gets done in a frenzy. As for current crime problems; I personally am hearing more about instances of property crime right now from individuals I know than I have since I've been in Jackson. I believe that JPD is probably doing everything in its power, and I don't believe a lot of it is coming from the court-system problems, although that is a rat's nest. I think much of it is about basic poverty and hopelessness. The economy sure ain't helpin'. Neither will the education cuts. Or the drop-out rates. Or the treatment of kids in those training schools who went in for truancy and came out hardened criminals. Not to mention the ease of obtaining guns in this state. Guns don't kill people, but they sure make it a helluva lot easier to do. Have you seen the thing that most guns used in crimes in Chicago come from Mississippi?

Author

ladd

Date

2004-07-08T14:29:34-06:00

ID

173113

Comment

I've personally heard more about property crime myself. I've had two instances within this year so I can attest. I also agree that it is probably stemming from poverty and would even throw in greed or envy. I can't expand on that right now (busy) but thought I'd second the notion that there's still work to be done!

Author

kaust

Date

2004-07-08T15:02:48-06:00