Mississippi

Carjacking Casts Harsh Spotlight on Jackson, Mississippi Crime

Published

6 months ago

May 30, 2024

Carjacking Casts Harsh Spotlight on Jackson, Mississippi Crime

A “descent into dystopia” is how one Jackson, Mississippi resident describes the violent crime, carjackings, and shootings that have been plaguing the city in recent years.

Disturbing new video footage caught on a Ring doorbell camera on Friday shows a Jackson family being attacked and carjacked in their driveway. A mom, her kids and her grandkids were held at gunpoint, pulled out of the car, and even shot at as two suspects — yet to be caught by the police — stole a car and fled.

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured and the stolen car was later recovered. But the mom in the video, Heather Allen, told WAPT that her family plans to move out of the area after the shocking incident, despite only living there for three months.

The Jackson Police department has since said they have identified two persons of interest, and released a surveillance image of a man they believe is connected to the crime.

“It shows you the mindset of the individuals here that we are dealing with,” Chief Joseph Wade told WAPT, Jackson’s Hearst-owned ABC affiliate, of the carjacking video. “They are bold and brave and they will do whatever it takes to commit these criminal acts, and we are going to be just as bold and brave to bring them to justice and hold them accountable for their actions.”

Carjackings such as the one on Friday have becoming commonplace in Jackson, the only difference with this one being that it was caught on video.

“Sadly, this is now an everyday occurrence in Jackson,” the president of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, Douglas Carswell, who lives and works in downtown Jackson, tells the Sun. “Just last week, someone was murdered at the park where I play tennis,” he says, adding that shootings are a “regular occurrence” in Mississippi’s capital city.

Carjacking victim Heather Allen tells WAPT she plans to leave Jackson after only three months after the traumatic experience. WAPT

Jackson, Mississippi police have released this surveillance image of a man suspected of being involved in the terrifying carjacking. Jackson Police Department

Jackson has outsized violent crime numbers for its population of nearly 150,000 residents. In 2023, there were 118 homicides in Jackson, a WLBT analysis found, and though the numbers decreased from the previous year, following a national trend post-Covid, Jackson nonetheless tops other major cities for killings per capita, that report found.

“Jackson now has one of the highest per capita homicide rates in the country, higher than Memphis, higher than Baltimore, higher than Detroit,” Mr. Carswell says. “Tragically it’s an everyday thing.”

Jackson’s murder rates were “significantly lower” in 2013 but a “dysfunctional city government” has created major crime issues for the city, he adds.

“In the past 10 or 15 years, Jackson has been a story of a descent into dysfunction,” Mr. Carswell says, adding that more than a policing issue, there is a “prosecution problem” in Hinds County, where Jackson is located.

The capital building at Jackson, Mississippi, at night. Getty Images

The Hinds County district attorney, Jody Owens, has been rocked by turmoil, most recently by an FBI raid of his cigar bar. Office of the Hinds County District Attorney

The county’s Soros-backed district attorney, Jody Owens, has been rocked by turmoil during his time on the campaign and on the job, including allegations of sexual harassment and accusations that he pulled a gun on a man in an apartment — claims he denied at the time — and most recently, an FBI raid of his cigar bar. His office did not respond to a request from the Sun for comment on the recent Jackson carjacking and whether he intends to prosecute the perpetrators should they be apprehended.

Over the past several years, Mr. Carswell says criminals took advantage of the justice system not “functioning properly,” but that the crime rates are slowly beginning to decline as the state government steps in.

The state has been extending the purview of the Capitol Police, who used to stay primarily around the Capitol building, to police about one-third of the city, he says, adding that the areas they police have seen crime go down “dramatically.”

“Where crime is under control in the city, the neighborhoods run by the Capitol Police, you’re starting to see people moving back in,” Mr. Carswell says. “ But crime is definitely a big factor in pushing people out of those parts of the city that aren’t run by the Capitol Police.”

Jackson’s murder rate is worse than crime-ridden cities such as Baltimore and Memphis. WAPT

The expansion of the Capitol Police was the subject of pushback last year, as some in the majority-Black city saw the increased state police presence as trampling on local control and unfairly targeting Black residents. The city has largely “moved beyond” those racial tensions, Mr. Carswell says, as “quite a lot of the city lawmakers and representatives who used to criticize expansion of the capital base, are now criticizing them for not policing the whole of the city.”

Earlier this year, Mississippi’s governor, Tate Reeves, announced a “major public safety operation” in Jackson aimed at “surging” local, state, and federal law enforcement into the city in an attempt to tackle the violent crime epidemic.

The governor’s office and the Jackson Police Department did not immediately return a request from the Sun for comment on how those operations are proceeding so far.

Even with more state resources and local policing, without more prosecutions, the violent crime will continue to plague Jackson, Mr. Carswell notes.

“Having a D.A. who’s soft on crime, I think has been a real problem,” he says. “And there’s only so much the police can do until we’ve got an effective D.A. in Jackson.”

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Mississippi

VIDEO: Jeff Lebby Pre-Ole Miss

Published

17 mins ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

It’s Egg Bowl week! Regardless of how the rest of the season has gone, Mississippi State has the opportunity to go into the off-season with some momentum and a win over bitter rival Ole Miss. The Rebels are 8-3 this season, but are coming off a 24-17 loss Saturday at Florida.

Coach Jeff Lebby spoke with members of the media Monday, to talk about where Mississippi State is heading into the Egg Bowl on Black Friday.

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Mississippi

Burford Electric Service expanding in Lowndes County | Mighty Mississippi

Published

9 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Burford Electric Service expanding in Lowndes County | Mighty Mississippi

Electromechanical repair company creating 14 jobs
Project represents corporate investment of over $3.5 million

Jackson, Miss. (November 25, 2024) – Burford Electric Service is expanding in Columbus. The project is a $3.55 million corporate investment and will create 14 jobs.

Founded in 1959, Burford Electric Service is a third-generation family-owned Mississippi business that specializes in electromechanical repair and replacement solutions, including electric motor repair and pump repair, for customers in the Southeast. For the expansion, the company is constructing 15,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space with larger crane capacity to meet an increase in customer demand for large industrial needs.

Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program. Lowndes County and the city of Columbus also are assisting with the project.

Burford Electric Service expects to fill the 14 new jobs over the next five years.

QUOTES

“It is always exciting to see long-standing Mississippi companies grow right here at home. Burford Electric Service’s expansion is another example of how Mississippi’s business climate and pro-business policies encourage companies not only to remain in Mississippi, but also to invest in our state and in our people. I wish the Burford Electric team another 65 years of success in Lowndes County.” – Gov. Tate Reeves

“In Mississippi, we are committed to maintaining a favorable and supportive business environment that empowers our homegrown businesses to grow. Burford Electric’s expansion exemplifies that commitment. Mississippi has had a tremendous year for economic development, with billions of dollars invested and thousands of jobs created in our communities. Burford Electric’s growth in Columbus continues that trend while letting other companies know Mississippi is a top place for business.” – Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Bill Cork

“We’re honored to expand our footprint in Columbus and build on the foundation my grandparents Tolbert and Margaret Burford established in 1959. As a third-generation family-owned business, this $3.55 million investment reflects both our commitment to serving the Southeast and our dedication to carrying forward the values that have sustained us for over 60 years. The additional 15,000 square feet of manufacturing space and increased crane capacity will allow us to meet the growing needs of our industrial customers while creating 14 new jobs in the community. We’re grateful for the support from the Mississippi Development Authority, Golden Triangle Development LINK and the city of Columbus, which has made this expansion possible. This is an exciting step forward for Burford Electric, our family and the communities we’re proud to serve.” – Burford Electric Service President/Owner Jonathan Robinson

“It’s great to see a family-owned, local business like Burford Electric Service expanding right here in Lowndes County. Their growth is a direct response to the increase in industrial activity in our area, and it shows how our local companies are rising to meet new demand. Burford’s investment in Columbus is a testament to the strength of our community and workforce. We’re excited to see the impact this expansion will have.” – Joe Max Higgins, CEO, Golden Triangle Development LINK

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Mississippi

Special season comes to an end for Mississippi State soccer team in Sweet 16

Published

17 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Special season comes to an end for Mississippi State soccer team in Sweet 16

For a second-straight season, Mississippi State’s soccer team found itself in position to make more history with a trip to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the season ended right there again.

Notre Dame’s offensive attack overwhelmed one of the country’s best defenses on Sunday night with two goals in the first 30 minutes of action on the way to a 2-0 win. It ended what was the best season in Bulldog history.

“Every single player was just so skilled on the ball. Their movement was sophisticated and they’re a physical team as well,” coach James Armstrong said. “I was thoroughly impressed with them (Sunday). We knew they were a special team but seeing them live is different. They’re a special team and I think they’ll go a long way throughout the tournament.”

From early on, the Irish were the aggressors. State was on its heels in the early going and began to see things go heavily into Notre Dame’s favor at the 24^th minute. Izzy Engle got a breakaway and sent it through the left side of the goal past Maddy Anderson for a 1-0 lead.

Just a couple of possessions later, Grace Restovich scored off the top right of the goal from the left foot to quickly put State in a hole. Both goals were scored by freshmen and continued what’s been an amazing year for coach Nate Norman’s squad. A large portion of the contributors were freshmen with 13 on the roster.

After being dominated 11-1 with shots on the offensive end, State had to find some aggression on the offensive side in the second half. The Bulldogs still couldn’t find the openings with seven shots in the final 45 minutes and Notre Dame would hold that lead.

The loss was a disappointing cap on the year, but Armstrong’s team left with heads held high. State finished 19-3 as the team set the school record for wins and had a perfect 10-0 SEC record. The squad won the first SEC Championship in program history and were 12-1 in games at the MSU Soccer Stadium.

State fans came out in droves to support this team as the Bulldogs had eight of the top 10 crowds in school history. The last two set the school record, including Friday night’s largest attended game at over 4,000. It was a season to remember but those inside the program believe it’s just the beginning.

“It’s amazing to have been a part of,” Hodge said. “From the first year to now, the sisterhood to now and I truly think that it translates. I think it’s special having that belief and love translate to the community and become a part of that inner circle. It’s been as rewarding as being on the field has been.

“I think we’ve set the standard and every year it’s gone higher and higher. The younger girls know what’s expected and I’m sure they’re going to keep it trending in the right direction.”

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