Position on Public Safety/Police

In order for a city to thrive, its citizens must feel safe. That’s a simple statement that all can agree upon. Figuring how to accomplish that is something more complicated. I believe a two pronged approach is needed.

First, no city can be safe without an adequate police force and judicial system to back them up. While I am proud of the service our current officers provide, I feel they are overworked and expected to cover too much territory. We need more police officers. When people know that officers regularly patrol the area or knowing that an officer is only minutes away if needed, they will be less inclined to cause disturbances or to break the law.

In addition to and increased police force, Jackson needs to increase its ability to efficiently prosecute those arrested. As recent events in Oakland California point out (an individual on parole for “assault with a deadly weapon” killed four police officers), simply arresting the ‘bad guys’ doesn’t really do any good if they are sent back out on the streets either awaiting trial or paroled from jail. Our criminal prosecutors and the court system need to be better supported so as to more effectively deal with those arrested.

Residents and businesses need to have the support of the city to watch over their own neighborhoods. A stronger emphasis needs to be placed on “Community Policing”. The U.S. Department of Justice defines Community Policing as, “Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies, which support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques, to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.” The city of Jackson does not have an overabundance of resources. Hiring more police is important, but maximizing the effectiveness of each officer and of each dollar spent is equally important.

The key word in the definition of Community Policing is “proactively”. When a person commits a crime and is arrested, does that really help the victim of the crime? Not particularly. Arresting perpetrators is a retroactive approach to crime, and while needed, can never solve the problem on its own. A proactive approach to crime includes organizing and enabling neighborhoods and business districts to better understand crime and how to prevent it. Would better communication between neighbors decrease crime? Would a strategically placed street light or house light reduce crime? Would improved signage reduce crime? Would private security guards reduce crime? Would knowing that the city and the police department are supportive and readily available reduce crime? The answers to these questions are not all cut and dry. What may seem obvious or what may have worked in another city, may not work in Jackson.

All of this will take money. Check back in a few days to read about my plan to increase city revenue while lowering taxes.
Your city council representative needs to be responsive to your concerns, ideas, suggestions and criticisms. So please feel free to respond to this post with any questions or email me at JonesWard1@bellsouth.net

Remember vote on May 5th for Jonathan S. Jones, Jackson City Council Ward 1.