29-07-2025
'Crash test dummy': Police chief says Jackson will set tone on enforcing MS homeless laws
Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade shared that officers will begin mandatory training next week on how to enforce new state laws targeting solicitation, squatters and homeless encampments.
The state laws that passed earlier this year and went into effect on July 1 were: House Bill 1197, the "Safe Solicitation Act," which requires those panhandling to get a permit that can cost up to $25 per day; HB 1200, the "Real Property Owners Protection Act", which expedites the process of removing squatters; and HB 1203, which prohibits camping on public property.
Violating the policies could result in hundreds of dollars in fines and months-long jail sentences.
"I want to make sure our people are properly training as we roll that out because we know this is a major issue," Wade said on Thursday, July 24, at a Real Time Command Meeting. "I want to make sure that we are not violating anybody civil rights or constitutional rights as we enforce these three new state laws."
Wade previously told the Clarion Ledger on June 24 that he tasked the department's legal team with training all 265 officers on the new state laws while developing a policy to uphold an individual's rights. As of July 24, the policy is still incomplete.
Enforcing the encampment law may prove challenging, as the bill allows law enforcement to issue a 24-hour notice for homeless people to vacate a public area not designated for camping before removing individuals, the campsite and any other materials.
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At the Thursday meeting, Wade said he is working closely with the legal team to determine the best approach to that matter. Wade said while these laws impact all law enforcement agencies from DeSoto County to Harrison County, Jackson police will be the "crash test dummy" as it relates to implementing the legislation.
"What I mean by that is as we go out and start enforcing the bill, I'll be the first one to get sued," Wade said. "My organization, my city, my officers will be the first one to be sued because I have not heard of anybody else going out and enforcing these laws just yet.
"I want to make sure I check all the boxes: policy, training, educating the public (and) educating the homeless population before we take any type of enforcement action. Right now, we're communicating with them, we're encouraging them to move on, but if they don't, we're not putting them in handcuffs (and) hauling them off to the jail. We're not at that point. I do not feel comfortable until my officers are properly trained and that we have a policy governing how we deal with these new laws and how we enforce these new laws."
Back in early July, Wade spoke directly to some of the city's homeless population inside Stewpot Community Services kitchen on the laws. At the time, 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.
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Wade also told those in attendance at Stewpot that the department was committed to protecting unhoused people's rights. And at Thursday's meeting, that sentiment remained.
Wade said arresting homeless individuals is not a viable solution to the broader issue, noting the jail system is already "strained." With the Raymond Detention Center housing more than 800 people, Wade questioned, "Where are we going to put (homeless people)?"
Wade said the department has to be "good stewards" and "smart" about how they enforce these laws.
"My heart goes out to some of our homeless population," Wade said. "I've had opportunity to talk to them one-on-one, face-to-face. Some are suffering from medical conditions. Some are suffering from mental health conditions and issues in our community. Incarceration is not the answer. Health and resources are the answer."
Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Have a tip? Email her at pdankins@
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Homeless people laws: Jackson MS police chief talks about enforcement
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