New Leaders; New Plans For Jackson

A crowd of several hundred gave Jackson Police Chief Rebecca Coleman a warm applause during her swearing-in ceremony at Jackson State University Mayor Harvey Johnson looked please.  His pick for police chief has been getting high marks. 

“You’ll see a continued reduction in crime,“ he said.  “I think you’ll see more activity by police officers in crime prevention as well as crime fighting.“  He says monthly crime reports have been promising and that overall crime is dropping.

Coleman, who’s been in law enforcement for 35 years, started her career at JPD.  She says she’s focusing on community oriented policing to tackle crime. 

“We are having more neighborhood meetings,“ she said.  “We are out there in the community, answering questions, taking their issues and concerns to heart.“

The new police chief is one of several leadership changes made by the mayor, who officially assumed office in July 2009.  He appointed new members to the school board and promises a new direction for several city departments.

“I think what we’ll have to do is continue assembling a team of individuals to move the city forward,“ he said.

Johnson also wants to add a convention center hotel to the city’s skyline.  He says it will make Jackson a “Destination City” and will also attract larger conventions.  He’s has aggressive plans for economic development along Highway 80, a corridor plagued by empty, dilapidated buildings.  They’re ambitious projects for a mayor who is no stranger to city hall.