Bolton made sure George Robinson, as she did so often, got a plate. She said that she saw from her porch the police officers “body slam” Robinson, 61 to the ground and then repeatedly stomped on his stomach and chest. Bolton’s 10-year old niece Keiaria stood in the yard across from police officers during the field arrest. Robinson was said to have been held against his car by Jackson Police Department K-9s. She claimed she was out shortly before 9 p.m. to grab some vittles from Robinson’s grilling station. Bolton, who is a wheelchair user, stated that Robinson looked like a rag doll when he was lifted off the ground by officers. His head was drooping. Robinson died from blunt force trauma to the head, and his death was ruled a homicide by Sharon Grisham Stewart, Hinds County Coroner. Robinson’s death was attributed to police officers. The community has now mobilized to demand that those who arrested Robinson, who were placed on administrative leaves following Wednesday’s news be held responsible. “If you knew Robinson, you would be marching with him.” Bolton stated that he didn’t deserve it. “They can’t do him that like that… There has to be more to the problem (with police),” Keiaria said. Robison was a generous man who gave money to Keiaria and other children in Washington Addition. The girl stated that Robison was “like sad” and added, “I was scared.” It wasn’t the first instance Keiaria had witnessed this type of conflict between police officers and her neighbors. According to Mississippi Today interviews with nearly a dozen people, the Jan. 13 incident was actually indicative of a wider rift between Jackson neighborhoods as well as the officers charged with protecting them. Robinson’s nephew Frank Williams stated that police have been like this for years. He was sitting on top of an SUV as his family and friends gathered at Washington and Jones avenues to honor his uncle’s passing. “It’s only now coming to light.” A crowd of more than a dozen people marched around Bolton’s house, holding signs reading “We Want Justice” or “Stop Police Brutality.” Gabriel Wilson, another nephew of Robinson, echoed King’s sentiments and urged his neighbors to keep their peace. He said, “This doesn’t have to lead us being mad about police officers or officers being mad at me.” Robinson’s murder, which is under JPD investigation comes at a crucial time for the police department, as it seeks out new solutions to crime. After closing the 20-year deadliest year in Capitol City, 84 total homicides were recorded in 2018, the police department has been exploring new ways to combat crime. Robinson was opening his New Bethany Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday morning when officers approached him. Mississippi Today was told Tuesday by James Davis, Jackson Police Chief. We hear the cry from the churches. We bring together communities, and we do our best to help young people, comfort older people, and just be there for the community. It’s the best way I know to do it. Treat everyone with respect. This is how you get information from the community, and that’s exactly what we do. We are not abusive police. We shouldn’t be portrayed that way.” Davis lauds the successes of two programs he started last year, “Operation Safe Streets”, and “Knock and Talk,” both which increase police presence in areas with recent crime. These initiatives were designed to make Jacksonians feel safer and, according to community feedback, they have worked. Residents appreciate the blue lights that are displayed on their streets, he said. Commanders went door-to-door in certain neighborhoods to address residents’ concerns about crime and calm their fears. Residents of Mississippi Today were not happy with the officers’ efforts to patrol Washington Addition after Robinson’s murder and New Bethany shooting. Arsenio handford claimed that he was in his yard when officers approached him and ordered him to get down. They began to search him. This is not a rare occurrence, according to several of Handford’s neighbors. They don’t have a reason. Handford stated that they don’t arrive with warrants or any other paperwork. “They had guns and I was terrified.” Handford stated that he runs his own business, Handford Trucking, and said that he is not a drug dealer or user. Robinson was one his closest friends. Handford stated, “It could happen to me.” Davis stated that there is “no truth” in the allegations that police have placed people on the ground without any reason. Davis also wondered why residents were raising these concerns. Davis stated, “Some communities are not all bad.” Davis said that some communities don’t want you to live in their area, due to criminal activity. Although this answer is not easy, residents admitted a feeling of fear in their neighbourhood. “After they brutally murdered him (Robinson), the terrorized this neighbourhood for at least three to four days — roadblocks, harassing people walking and stopping them. Handford stated that the harassing has not stopped. They are afraid to tell the truth because they’re afraid. They are afraid of JPD retaliation.” Bolton stated that she believes Washington Addition is a dangerous area in Jackson. It contains many abandoned and dilapidated homes. “In nine days, I’ll turn 49. You are older than me. Davis denies any suggestion that Davis’s initiatives could lead to profiling. Davis stated that these roadblocks were not roadblocks. Davis said, “These roadblocks are not really roadblocks.” We can engage the community. Davis stated that JPD decided to investigate the matter initially after hearing complaints and looking at concerns on social media. Robinson’s sister, Bettersten Wade, organized the march. However, Wade stated Monday that she was not ready to repeat the details from Monday’s eyewitness accounts because “We don’t have all of the facts.” Wade also said Wednesday that the crime lab sent Wade notice about Robinson’s death. He now believes the police were responsible. Wade stated that the family would meet soon to discuss legal action. JPD was waiting for Robinson’s autopsy in order to conclude its investigation. Mississippi Today requested documentation regarding Robinson’s arrest, the incident report and any body camera footage. It has yet to receive a response. Misinformation regarding Robinson’s death was a major source of confusion and frustration for the community. Reports incorrectly stated that Robinson died in police custody rather than later at the hospital. They also prematurely accounted for his death among the 2019 homicides. It’s number 11 if they added him. One man stated Monday that they knew, as he was questioned by another about why Robinson’s arresting officers hadn’t been charged. James Taylor, Robinson’s roommate, said that they should be brought to justice immediately. Bolton recorded the alleged beating via her cell phone. This amplified the excitement surrounding the incident. However, she claimed that the family requested she not share the video with the media. Wade, the sister claimed that she didn’t know about the video. Chief Davis stated that the footage he has seen is too dark and blurry for him to discern any details about what occurred. JPD stated that Robinson was taken into custody and charged with a misdemeanor. However, instead of taking Robinson to jail officers released Robinson with instructions to return to court. Mississippi Today was told by the Robinson family that he had suffered a stroke several weeks before and his movements may have been slower when officers approached him. Wade stated that she believes Robinson was transported to a hospital by an ambulance shortly after he was released from police custody. Wade stated that Robinson was then taken to University of Mississippi Hospital Center after complaining about his head. Davis could not answer Tuesday’s question about whether Robinson would be identified within 72 hours of his arrest, as per an executive order signed by Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba in September. Davis did not answer a question about whether Davis would allow the executive order to apply to incidents that didn’t involve gunfire. Lumumba’s Wednesday statement stated that the final results of JPD’s investigation into Robinson’s death would be presented to a Hinds County grand jury. The statement states that the administration will remain transparent and communicate with the public in this process. We ask Jackson citizens to remember Mr. George Robinson’s family in their prayers. Taylor, who is known as “the painter” in his community, said that he would describe Jackson police officers “unprofessional.” He said that he thought it was a good thing that the police did their job well. However, if you come to me, I’m not allowed to touch you. You are supposed to go to jail. There is too much going on and people aren’t saying anything. “This neighborhood is tired of it so let’s say something,” a former JPD officer was sentenced to a year in prison for assaulting a teenage boy during a North Jackson traffic stop in May. When Taylor pulls up, a police officer behind him said that he would slowly drive to the police station, “because they don’t know what’s in their minds.” Chief Davis stated, “This is Capital city.” We must have a better product for Jackson to be able to raise our ranks and bring more businesses here. A professional police department is essential. We must be professional police officers.