All Jackson police officers working 12 hours shifts after Thursday shootings
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EAST JACKSON — After a shooting injures four on Thursday night, Jackson Police are putting in more hours on the streets of Jackson. Jackson Police Chief Gill Kendrick said patrol officers are working 12 hour shifts to be more visible. Chief Kendrick said it is no secret there is a crime problem in Jackson. “I wonder sometimes when my phone’s ringing what are you going to hear when you pick up the phone and answer it,” Kendrick said. He said the department looks at what they can change to improve and become better equipped to curb crime every day. “We look at what’s going on in the community and we make a determination and assessments as far as placement of personnel, disbursements, just, what we need to do, how we need to do it to make all the end roads we can,” Kendrick said. Less than a day after the shooting, Jackson residents are asking city leaders for answers of how to stop the violence. City councilman Johnny Dodd said it takes more than police to prevent crime. “They’re there to be proactive but then again we need our community. Police can not do it by themselves. They come after the fact so it’s gonna take a community to be able to talk to the police department,” Councilman Dodd said. Dodd said it’s time to act on this talk about crime prevention. “I’m tired of meetings. We meet, meet, meet and I want to try and put some things in action. That’s my main focus now. What can we put in action to make sure things take place,” Councilman Dodd said. Dodd and Kendrick agree everyone needs to pull their weight to combat crime. Chief Kendrick blames eyewitnesses who do not speak up for the continued violence in our city. “The police are the public, the public are the police. The police are the only ones that are paid full time what’s incumbent upon all of us all the time,” Chief Kendrick said. Councilman Dodd said he will hold a crime march next week to call on community members for action.
