Property owners in North Jackson are concerned about the deterioration of McWillie Drive bringing down property values. They are calling for a consistent police presence in the area. Sunday, during a press conference, members of the community shared their experiences. Lisa and Bennie Foster, the owners of the nonprofit organization Open House Vision, said, “There’s a lot of us that are here today that have been working diligently to work on this part of town but there’s only so much that we can do.”“It bothers me when I’m leaving my mothers and see a young man 17 or 18 years old who took a hit of some type of drug and he’s in the middle of the street half dressed looking up to the sky like he’s mesmerized,” Bennie Foster said. The business owners are fighting to detour crime to save their businesses and the children who live in the area. Rugged roads, violence, trespassing, loitering, and prostitution are all causes of concern. James and Vivian Jones, owners of a strip mall on McWillie Drive, want better and are making their voices heard on the issue. “It’s kinda deteriorating you know? Last time I saw a Waffle House close down it was in South Jackson and that area now is gone. So, I just don’t want this to happen where we’ve saved our money and our investment…our generational wealth,” Jones said. Sabrina Caldwell, a senior at Jackson State University, said “I have two children, 6 and 4. I wanna bring them here to show them where mommy goes to school and I can’t. I’m so scared to bring them here, and I shouldn’t. So, get up, get out and voice your opinion so we can solve issues here.”McWillie Elementary School is in the heart of the problem area. “And one of our main concerns in the area is the children in the area.. the schools,” remarked Vivan Jones. Ward 3 Jackson City Councilman, Kenneth Stokes believes Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade has great plans to make the city safe but doesn’t have the support he deserves from the city. The chief was appointed by the mayor but isn’t signed under a contract.Stokes says this means he can be fired at any time. Council members will take up this issue in the next meeting.
Property owners in North Jackson are concerned about the deterioration of McWillie Drive bringing down property values.
They are calling for a consistent police presence in the area.
Sunday, during a press conference, members of the community shared their experiences.
Lisa and Bennie Foster, the owners of the nonprofit organization Open House Vision, said, “There’s a lot of us that are here today that have been working diligently to work on this part of town but there’s only so much that we can do.”
“It bothers me when I’m leaving my mothers and see a young man 17 or 18 years old who took a hit of some type of drug and he’s in the middle of the street half dressed looking up to the sky like he’s mesmerized,” Bennie Foster said.
The business owners are fighting to detour crime to save their businesses and the children who live in the area.
Rugged roads, violence, trespassing, loitering, and prostitution are all causes of concern.
James and Vivian Jones, owners of a strip mall on McWillie Drive, want better and are making their voices heard on the issue.
“It’s kinda deteriorating you know? Last time I saw a Waffle House close down it was in South Jackson and that area now is gone. So, I just don’t want this to happen where we’ve saved our money and our investment…our generational wealth,” Jones said.
Sabrina Caldwell, a senior at Jackson State University, said “I have two children, 6 and 4. I wanna bring them here to show them where mommy goes to school and I can’t. I’m so scared to bring them here, and I shouldn’t. So, get up, get out and voice your opinion so we can solve issues here.”
McWillie Elementary School is in the heart of the problem area.
“And one of our main concerns in the area is the children in the area.. the schools,” remarked Vivan Jones.
Ward 3 Jackson City Councilman, Kenneth Stokes believes Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade has great plans to make the city safe but doesn’t have the support he deserves from the city.
The chief was appointed by the mayor but isn’t signed under a contract.
Stokes says this means he can be fired at any time.
Council members will take up this issue in the next meeting.
