Jackson is the most dangerous city in America, according to some measures. The nation’s murder rates have increased in recent years. However, Jackson’s per-capita murder rate is the highest based on cities of at least 100,000 inhabitants. To combat crime in the city, Senator Sollie Norwood stated that “all hands would be required” by local governments, schools and churches, as well the state Legislature. Unfortunately, a lot of the crime is being committed by young people who should have been in school. The Capitol has been focused on Jackson, the largest city in the state, in recent years. These issues include crime, an aging water system and sewer system, which often collapses under extreme cold spells. Federal officials are investigating the issue to determine if there is any water quality problems. The Republican leadership in the Legislature and the Democratic leaders of city government are unable to agree how to address these issues for several years. Senator John Horhn (D-Jackson) stated that “we are not here for the blame game.” Horhn, along with the other senators, said that they were here to speak out and that Gov. Tate Reeves and Tate are in agreement to increase the number of state law enforcers in the Capitol Complex Improvement District. This district runs from the University of Mississippi Medical Center north of Capitol Building to Jackson State University South of Capitol. The 75-member force has been increased by 50 members according to the legislative leadership. Reeves called for the doubled number of Capitol Police officers in his state-ofthe-state address. Walter Michel, the Republican senator from Jackson, stated that he hopes this will allow Jackson Police Department officers to patrol other parts of Jackson. Michel pointed out that a 20-year-old study had shown Jackson required 600 police officers to control crime. He said that the city now has 300 officers. READ MORE: A neighborhood official said that Jackson’s murder rate was higher than Atlanta’s. Horhn stated that a war between rival factions — some organised, some random — was taking place on Jackson’s streets right in front of our eyes. “Citizens fear leaving their homes. Citizens fear staying in their homes. Fears that their loved ones will be fooled are what they fear. Jackson is becoming a magnet for visitors from other areas because they fear that they might be stung by a stray bullet. “We are all going have to work together to fix it,” he said. He suggested that both local and state officials must come up with a plan for dealing with the problem of crime. D-Jackson Senator David Blount said that Mississippi was among three states that lost population in 2020. It would be hard to reverse this trend as long as there is no “vibrant” urban area. Blount stated that “this state cannot succeed” and that the state can’t grow without Jackson. People who don’t live in the city have two choices: either help the city grow and improve or you can watch it fall apart. “If we give up Jackson, we give away our state. And that is what we will do,” Blount said. The senators also reported that Jody Owens, Hinds County District Attorney, requested two additional permanent assistant district lawyers and eight temporary assistant districts attorneys to handle a backlog in criminal cases. Senators indicated that they still need to know how many temporary judges are required. Horhn stated that Hinds County already has two state-appointed judges who are working in a building used by the state to handle the backlog. “We are doing our best to give the DA the tools he requires,” said Sen. Hillman, D-Jackson. They also hope to secure $600,000 in state funding to pay for repairs to Jackson and Hinds County jails. Blount expressed optimism that the state would provide funds to address water and sewer problems facing the city. There are $1.8 billion of federal funds available to the state for these projects. READ MORE: Jackson water plant still “a few years” away from winter protection. Support this work by making a regular donation today to celebrate our Spring Member Drive. This will allow us to continue important work such as this one.