Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area along with local law enforcement leaders has won a MetLife Foundation Community-Police Partnership Award for improving the safety and vitality of neighborhoods in metropolitan Jackson.

Dennis White, president/CEO of MetLife Foundation, says in a news release that the Jackson partnership was selected from more than 540 applicants for the award, a program administered by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation.

White says the partnership between community-based groups and police departments to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in lower income neighborhoods caught the attention of the national selection committee comprised of police commanders, community development executives and LISC staff.

White says the Metro Jackson safety collaboration contributed to an average 55 percent reduction in crime within the primary target areas of their work.