Park security, law enforcement communication among topics at November City Council meeting
JACKSON, Tenn. — Park security, grants for law enforcement, and much more were discussed at this month’s Jackson City Council meeting.
The meeting started off with an annual report from representatives with Love Your Block, who discussed the successes that they have had over the last year. Mayor Scott Conger says that this program has helped the city tremendously, and the growth of it has empowered people to help their neighbors.
“And also one thing that we don’t talk about is that these houses that are getting small house repairs, home repairs on them, otherwise would possibly be cited into environmental court,” Conger said. “So we’re holding people accountable, but also empowering people and helping people to make sure that they can stay in their homes, they can stay in their homes safely, and that we are providing that helping hand instead of just citing them for something that they maybe cannot afford to do on their own.”
The program also announced the creation of a portable tool shed that people can reserve for no charge. That is planned to begin early next year.
Also on the agenda was the approval of a budget amendment to have Flock cameras at the city’s parks. Mayor Conger explains why those will be beneficial.
“The Flock cameras are strategically placed at entrances, and then on roads near our parks and in our parks,” Conger said. “So if there is an incident, we can run those license plates. This is not just for major incidents. We have vandalism issues in our parks, after hours people sneak in and drive, you know, things like that. So this is how we can ensure our parks are safer.”
There is also a state-funded grant that will be partnered with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Jackson Police Department. The grant will enhance the communication between the two law enforcement agencies.
“The sheriff’s department and the police department don’t have the ability to communicate on radio,” said Conger. “So they have to go through dispatch to communicate. So as we see more collaboration happening between our law enforcement agencies, the communication is paramount. So this is an important step for them to be able to communicate when we’re responding, when we’re helping each other out, and when we’re collaboratively working together.”
Also, the lease agreement for a second baby box was brought before the City Council for the first time. This would make Jackson the first municipality in the state with two Safe Haven Baby Boxes.
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