TBI statistics show how much crime takes place in Jackson
[gtxvideo vid=”kVp7Z6lR” playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/kVp7Z6lR.jpg” vtitle=”TBI Crime Statistics – Jordan”]
JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson police are calling 2014 a successful year after the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released crime data showing less offenses last year. The TBI released data Monday showing 9,333 criminal offenses in Jackson for 2014, and police said that’s down more than 7 percent from 2013. “I think it’s a safe town,” Jackson resident Jeff Page said. “I’ve lived here since 2003, and this is the best place I’ve ever lived.” Assaults, homicides and thefts all were lower than the previous year. “I feel safe everywhere I go,” said Anthony Thompson, another Jackson resident. “It depends on what time of day or time of night.” Some offenses such as drug and narcotics violations were up by about 11 percent, but Capt. Mike Holt said that’s not a bad thing. “Narcotics numbers and so forth go up because of proactive policing,” he said. “In other words, that number gets reported because somebody was arrested or there was a crime involved in narcotics. That wouldn’t be something somebody would call and report like a burglary.” Police say the cameras installed in 2014 are helping bring down the numbers. “We got some high-profile cameras into high-density housing areas where we had repeated problems with disturbance and gang and drug-related crimes,” Holt said. Officials also said the cameras are making witnesses more willing to come forward, and more of the devices will be installed this year. They’re paid for by a grant. “Crime is too high,” Holt said. “If we had half the amount of crime we have, it’d be too high.” Police say they will continue to focus their efforts in statistically higher crime areas and bring the numbers down even more.
