Jackson police chief speaks directly to unhoused people on new anti-homeless laws in MS
That is what Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade told some of the city's homeless population inside Stewpot Community Services kitchen on Thursday, July 3.
Wade said he felt a "moral obligation" to educate and speak to those directly impacted by the new laws, adding it would be "inhumane" to "threaten" individuals facing personal struggles.
"As we enforce these laws, I'm willing to meet with our legal department, the (American Civil Liberties Union) or any organization," Wade said. "Because again, I'm committed to not violating your rights as human beings and as citizens here in the city of Jackson, the state of Mississippi and this country."
In the 2025 regular session, lawmakers passed House Bills 1197 and 1203 — banning camping on unauthorized public property and requiring panhandlers to obtain permits costing up to $25 daily. Violations could result in hundreds of dollars in fines and months-long jail sentences. The laws went into effect on July 1.
On Thursday, Wade said the department plans to roll out a policy within the next month.
"I can guarantee you that as we enforce these laws, we will treat all of our citizens with dignity, and we will not violate your constitutional rights," Wade said, addressing the audience.
The American Civil Liberties Union said the organization plans to monitor law enforcement agencies in Mississippi to ensure the enforcement of new anti-homelessness laws does not violate the rights of people living on the street.
Homicides continue to drop in Jackson: The capital city of Mississippi saw 40% reduction in homicides in first half of 2025 compared to last year. See data
Stewpot Community Services' Executive Director Jill Buckley told the Clarion Ledger that tackling homelessness requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses mental health, substance abuse and affordable housing.
Buckley said the new laws are not a solution to the very complex topic of homelessness, but the laws are instead "tools" for municipalities to combat homelessness in their areas.
"My sense is that the Legislature approaches homelessness as a problem to be solved as opposed to humans who need help," Buckley said. "I would advocate for any way that script could be flipped.
"People who are experiencing homelessness are suffering, and I would hope that legislators would consider the ways in which their suffering could be healed or addressed. These encampment, squatting and panhandling laws are the kind of laws that are more geared toward the impact that homelessness can have on people who are not homeless. So, let's try to flip the script to see what we can do to positively impact people who are experiencing homelessness."
Buckley said through the new laws, she is "eager" to discover, if any, gaps in the city's homeless response system — all agencies that assist homeless people.
"Are we going to learn that more shelter space is needed? Are we going to learn that more medical care is needed? There's a lot that we could learn, if we take the opportunity," Buckley said.
In regard to the steps law enforcement is taking, Buckley told the Clarion Ledger she commends Wade and Jackson police for "trying to honor people's dignity and rights while also enforcing the law."
Buckley said Stewpot is working with law enforcement in the Capitol Complex Improvement District (CCID) for alternatives to fines and penalties.
"We have been in conversations with the CCID about being a place where people can work off fines," Buckley said, noting that fines are assessed and most homeless people can't pay for them. "I hope what this means is that if somebody comes here to work off their fines, they're also being connected to some really important resources."
Police on anti-homeless laws: Jackson and Capitol police are not fully prepared to enforce anti-homeless bills on July 1. What's still in the making?
Buckley said she hopes Stewpot's outreach services have created connections and relationships where people know they can "depend" on the organization.
The Clarion Ledger also spoke with Fredrick Brown, a homeless individual who heard Wade's address. Brown said he never heard of the new laws until Thursday, July 3 — two days after the laws went into effect.
Brown suggested the city could have held a town hall to inform residents about the changes, preventing surprises for individuals like himself. He also proposed renovating abandoned properties as an alternative to penalizing homeless individuals.
"I didn't hear about any of this. It's like it just popped up and now everyone telling you, you got to do something," Brown said. "But look at how all of these buildings around here are just falling apart, somebody could fix them up for people who are living out here."
Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Have a tip? Email her at pdankins@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS police chief speaks to homeless people on MS homeless laws
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