The Precinct 4 Community Oriented Policing & Government group (COPS) met at the Precinct 4 Headquarters on Thursday, August 24, 2006. Bob Oertel called the meeting to order at 5:30 and led us through introductions. Officer Ella Small, with Precinct 4 (P4) for four years, is a new Quality of Life Officer. She replaces Officer Kutenia Brooks who has returned to patrol duty. Officer Barbara Folsom is P4's other QofL officer.
2006 National Conference for Community Oriented Policing
Bob Oertel reported on his attendance to the National Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Conference in Washington, DC. COPS is a US Department of Justice program. He was there from July 26-29. After expressing his gratitude to those who made this trip possible, he gave an enthusiastic report of what he found. Bob was one of the few non-sworn officers among the approximately 1,500 in attendance representing 49 states and many countries around the world.He stated the experience was overwhelming and informative. Carl Peed is the Director of the National COPS program. His experience includes 10 years as Fairfax County Sheriff and then he served as director of the Department of Juvenile Justice in the Commonwealth of Virginia. US Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, Chief Charles Ramsey of the Washington, DC Metropolitan PD, and Ted McNamara were there. Ambassador McNamara was the US diplomat to Colombia during the first Bush's tenure and was appointed by George W. Bush in March of this year to act as program manager of an agency established by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Act.

The theme of the conference was Leadership and one keynote speaker was Winston Churchill's granddaughter, Celia Sandys. Mrs. Sandys founded Churchill Leadership, an organization that provides a broad range of training solutions and consulting services based on Churchill's leadership principles of motivation, inspiration, innovation, and determination. These principles that Churchill used to resolve the many and varied challenges he faced remain relevant today. Her words were reflected by most at the conference stressing the importance of leadership in changing the culture of a community for the better through responsible policing and outreach. Great police leaders can instill those traits and actions needed in their team that will help effectively curb crime and the lessen the fear of crime. Police forces have to create sustainable relationships with all componenets in the community and this philosophy needs to be initiated and persued top-down from chief to beatcop. This interaction with the community makes it easier for police to rely on citizens for support. The conference encouraged officers to get out onto the streets and gauge what is really happening in the community. It takes time to change the community's culture so persistent leadership matters.

Bob indicated the conference featured other distinguished speakers followed by numerous workshops. The workshops that were the most helpful for him were those on Racial Bias, Gauging the Community, Technology and Policing, Recruitment & Retention, and Re-entry After Prison. On re-entry, Bob noted the need fro Jackson to provide options and help men and women who are returning to the general populace from incarceration. He also has an interesting DVD on Technology and Policing. Further, he was interested in the importance of understainding racial bias and how it affects Jackson.

In addition, it was very clear that crime is again a nation-wide problem, particularly in cities the size of Jackson. Bob brought back a pile of publications containing more information and he is happy to share as requested.

You can find more information about the conference at http://www.cops.usdoj.gov
Neighborhood Concerns
Several citizens raised concerns:

• Two purse-snatchings at Maywood Mart last week.
• Northern Fondren area (Council Circle at North State, Choctaw, Eagle, 400, 500, & 600 blocks of Meadowbrook, and Kings Highway north of Meadowbrook). There are numerous houses in these locations that are on the verge of creating major problems because of their bad condition. A list of specific properties will be given to QOL Officers Folsom and Small.
• 4700 block of Kings Highway has several vacant homes. HUD is fixing up one (which has several neighbors nervous), another is for sale, and a third is being renovated. The rumor is this third house will be (or has been) turned into a church. There are a lot of cars near it on Sundays. This is a zoning issue. The main problem is 4742. The new owners of the house have let their 24- and 21-year old sons live there while the husband and wife live down the street. The sons have turned it into an auto repair and detailing center. The problems created include drag racing, loud noise, offensive music (lyrics are lurid and profane), drugs, fights, and clutter. Photographs showing the clutter, trash, and junked automobiles were passed around. Those who have sought to talk to the sons have been cursed and intimidated so most of the neighbors have retreated to their homes and closed themselves in. The 21-year old son was shot recently when his car was hijacked. Surviving the assault, he seems to think he is invincible. One of the sons graduated in auto mechanics from Hinds Community College in May. The father, previously willing to listen to the complaints, has turned far less cooperative after listening to a tape of the noise at the house. His own home was broken into recently and he and his wife may move soon. Off. Folsom reported she had visited the home and talked to the father but saw no cars. The appropriate forms were passed out so these complaints can become official and city personnel can begin checking on them.
• Jeff Anderson reported that he has done all the necessary work for several houses on Mitchell, Kings Highway, and Meadowbrook. It was suggested the next step is to contact Action Line, City Council members Ben Allen and Margaret Barrett-Simon, and Jeff's supervisor to spur them to move these cases to the next level.

Other issues in Environmental Court

• John McKee is actively repairing his home.
• Howard Gober's two houses are on the list for demolition.
• Houses on Mitchell & Oxford are on a list to be boarded up (the next step on the road to demolition). Call Jeff's supervisor at 601.960.1054 to encourage action on 402, 404, and 410 Mitchell.
• Off. Folsom visited a home at Oxford and Mitchell in an attempt to get some action going.
• We need to constantly let our legislators and other leaders know there are calls for action in all of Jackson. Our calls to supervisors and city council members will make a difference regarding where they allocate our city's resources.

If you are interested in attending Environmental Court, it is suggested that you call court services before heading downtown, 601.960.2050.

Environmental Court meets at 2:00 at 215 W. Pearl Street on the following Thursdays:

• September 28
• October 19
• November 16
• December 14

COMSTAT Commander Steve Sansom
Lt. Kim Harrison represented Commander Steve Sansom in giving the COMSTAT report. As usual, auto burglaries and auto thefts head the list. House burglaries and business burglaries are down a bit. There has been a 37% increase in crime but much of this increase comes from one apartment complex and the hotels. In the past week there have been 3 felony arrests, 31 misdemeanor arrests, and 6 stolen cars were recovered. Having enough manpower is a major issue. As reported in July, there are too many calls for service for the current level of staffing to be able to do much more than respond to these calls.

Lt. Harrison responded to numerous questions.

• Regarding purse snatchings, personal safety is a major concern. Some criminals target the elderly. Special care should be taken to observe your surroundings in order to try to avoid dangerous situations.
• Violent crime is down significantly despite the high profile assaults. In response to a question about a particular case, it was noted that those who do the investigations seldom share their information with the beat officers.
• Traffic crimes such as speeding on North State Street show contempt for speed limits. A lot of the speeding occurs in the morning hours when officers are busy in school zones. Lt. Harrison promised that officers with radar are scheduled for several locations soon. Residents who wish radar at specific locations where speeding is routine should email the locations and times of day to Lt. Harrison at kharrison@city.jackson.ms.us so she can get the Traffic Division involved.
• Several suspects have been arrested after a rash of robberies of Hispanics in an apartment complex. There have been no such robberies in the past 3-4 weeks following these arrests. A member of COPS knows someone willing to do translation work for P-4 if necessary.
• A lot of wrecks take place at Mitchell at West. This will be put in writing so action can be taken.
• Drug deals are common at Kings Highway at Northmart and license plate numbers have been recorded. One resident has even approached several of the young people waiting to have drugs delivered. While suggesting this is dangerous to do, Lt. Harrison indicated patrols in that area would be increased to drive the dealers away. Lt. Harrison can be reached at 601.960.1455 or kharrison@city.jackson.ms.us.

Announcements

• Assistant Chief Thomas reported that the city's noise ordinance has been re-written but has not been approved by City Council yet. Contact council members to encourage action on this ordinance.
• Jeff Anderson will be glad to make sure code enforcement for the McCool area is addressed. He handles code enforcement for all of Precinct 4 with help from other code enforcement personnel.
• Officer Folsom announced there is a Walk Against Crime planned for downtown Jackson soon. Contact her at bfolsom@city.jackson.ms.us for more details.
• The next meeting of P4 COPS will be at 5:30 on Thursday, September 28 at the precinct.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30.