Violent Crime Rate Dropping In Jackson

By: Heather Burke | WJTV
Published: September 17, 2009

Jackson Police say they've actually seen crime rates go down this year.
JPD says violent crimes like murders ,rapes and assaults are down almost 10% from last year.
"People are not afraid anymore," said Jackson resident Paris Williams. "Now with the decrease, I think we have better opportunities for businesses to come in, and help with the revenue and develop the City of Jackson."
That's because some say higher crime rates in the past, were shedding a bad light on the city's image.
"I would go away out-of-town and people would talk about the crime rate here in Jackson a lot," said Jackson resident Connie Little. "It affected me because I became a lot more careful just shopping."
Last March, Jackson Police added Precinct 5 to their department.
These officers go out and do proactive work in the community, like undercover drug busts.
People hope actions like these will help police take down more criminals.
"It's a wonderful thing," said Williams. "I hope it will continuously decrease, and we rise with the City of Jackson."
Police tell us they now need only 10 officers to bring the department to full staff.
They're taking applications right now to try and fill those slots.