Mayor Says New Cameras Will Go Up in High Crime Areas
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Mayor Jerry Gist said Monday new cameras in Jackson will be easy to see with flashing blue lights on them. He said he hopes they will deter crime. After being awarded grant money just a couple of weeks ago, city leaders are working to implement a three part program to cut crime. Mayor Gist said the program focuses on surveillance, educating children and overall suppression of crime. “It is wonderful. They needed this a long time ago. That way it can cut down a lot of crime up in here.” Barbara Ingram, a resident of Royal Arms apartments, said. Ingram has lived at Royal Arms since it opened, and said for the first time in a while, she feels safe when she walks out her door. Jackson police have been patrolling some areas of the city more than usual. “I come out and they are here. I go up to them and say ‘it’s all good. I appreciate ya,'” Ingram said. Mayor Gist said presence is vital in reducing crime and the new, very visible surveillance system will help police have eyes in many places at once. Crime data will determine where the cameras will be installed. “Just those areas that need full time surveillance and we want people to know they are there. They aren’t hidden cameras,” Mayor Gist said. He hopes the cameras will make criminals think twice before they act. “Hopefully if people know they are there, they will realize we are going to get a really good, clear picture of their activity,” he said. The grant will provide the city with at least a dozen high resolution cameras to install in the early spring and a dozen more each year for three years, up to 40 cameras total. Mayor Gist said the grant also provides money for crime education for 5th graders, where speakers will come to the classroom and teach students why crime is not acceptable, and discourage them from associating with crime. The mayor believes these increased efforts will make a difference. “It is just another effort to prevent crime before it happens,” Mayor Gist said. The grant is through the U.S. Department of Justice. Though there are likely people who do or will oppose the surveillance cameras, none of them were willing to talk Monday with WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News.
