Latest news with #crimeReduction
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Jackson sees 40% reduction in homicides in first half of 2025 compared to last year
The city of Jackson saw an approximate 42% reduction in homicides in the first six months of 2025 — January to June — compared to the same period last year. Records from the Clarion Ledger show Jackson reported 36 homicides between January and June 30, 2025, with 31 cases handled by the Jackson Police Department and five worked by the Mississippi Capitol Police. Last year, the city saw 62 homicides in the same six-month period, with 60 cases investigated by Jackson police and 2 handled by Capitol police. Wendell Watts, assistant chief of the Patrol Operations Division for the Jackson Police Department, credits violent crime initiatives led by JPD Chief Joseph Wade and partnerships with agencies such as the FBI, Capitol Police and the Hinds County Sheriff's Department for reducing crime in the city. At a June 27 press conference, Watts emphasized the department's commitment to achieving even greater reductions in crime. "Chief Wade came out of the gate telling us there's a gang problem in Jackson, and there's a crime problem that we've got going on," Watts said. "We're working in conjunction with everybody from the mayor's office, all the way to the governor's office, to the community. We want everyone involved, because we want the crime rate down." Details on homicide victims in Jackson in June 2025 are provided below. Ages and spellings of names are based on police statements and court records: Police on anti-homeless bills: Jackson and Capitol police are not fully prepared to enforce anti-homeless bills on July 1. What's still in the making? JPD Public Information Officer Tommie Brown said Carrie Lotasha Fields, 33, was shot on June 10 in the 3600 block of Jayne Avenue and died at the scene. Court records state Fields was shot multiple times. Police arrested Andre Sawyer, 28, on June 11 in connection to the fatal shooting. Police said the shooting appears to be a domestic situation. Court records show Sawyer was denied bond by a judge at an initial court appearance on June 12. JPD previously reported that a second person of interest was being sought regarding the case; however, the identity of the individual has not been released by police. The Clarion Ledger's request for updated suspect information was not provided before this publication. Brown said Keodrick Kincade was shot on June 17 in the 5000 block of Interstate South Frontage Road near Canton Mart Road and died at the scene. Police did not provide Kincade's age to the Clarion Ledger before this publication. Police arrested and charged D'Juanya Carter, 26, with murder in connection to the shooting. Court records show Carter was denied bond by a judge at an initial court appearance on June 18. New development in Merit Health murder: Patient accused of killing Wendy Gilbreath at Merit Health seeks trial delay. What we know The Jackson Police Department is searching for a suspect after Troy Howard Jr., 53, was fatally shot multiple times on June 18 in the 1200 block of Gentry Street. Brown said Howard was taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center where Howard later died from his injuries. Brown previously described a suspect to the Clarion Ledger as "a Black male of large stature last seen wearing all black and walking on Livingston Avenue." No identity has been released by police as of this publication. Jackson police said LaJarvis Ruffin, 30, was shot multiple times and killed on June 19 at the Park Springs Apartments on Shaw Road. Brown previously told the Clarion Ledger, at that time, he had no information on whether the victim was shot inside or outside an apartment. According to WLBT, Ruffin was changing the locks on his child's mother door because the mother was having issues with the father of her other child. WLBT reported that is when Ruffin's cousin heard gunshots, discovering Ruffin had been fatally shot outside the door. Police announced on June 25 the arrests of Grejuan Allen, 31, and Jederrion Walton, 28, in connection to the case. Allen faces charges for murder, armed robbery and house burglary. Walton faces a murder charge. Capitol police said Karah Perkins, the 23-year-old granddaughter of a civil rights leader, was shot on June 22 on East Northside Drive and later died at a hospital. Mississippi Department of Public Safety Spokesperson Bailey Martin said officers responded to a call around 4:40 a.m. and discovered Perkins suffering from a gunshot wound. Perkins' family said Karah died on Monday, June 23, from her injuries. Martin said police arrested one suspect in connection to the incident but did not identify the suspect before this publication. Karah Perkins is the granddaughter of civil rights leader, John Perkins. John is a civil rights activist, minister and author known for his advocate work in racial reconciliation, justice and community development. John was born in 1930 in New Hebron, Mississippi — roughly 55 miles south of Jackson. Karah's family shared a tribute to their loved one on Facebook writing, in-part, "Karah has always been sunshine on earth. And now, by God's grace, she will be sunshine poured out— bringing healing to others and radiating God's love in a way only He could orchestrate. We are heartbroken. But we are not without hope." The family also shared on Facebook that a memorial service for Karah was to be held at 1 p.m. on July 2 at the New Horizon International Church. According to the family, they have established the Karah Perkins Potter Sunshine Scholarship through the John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation. Addressing crime on wheels? Jackson police unveil mobile crime scene unit to make investigations more efficient Jackson police officials said Deyonia McGee, a 22-year-old woman, died and two suspects were arrested after a shooting occurred at 4:27 a.m. June 24 at the corner of Raymond Road and Siwell Road near the Auto One car business. According to Wade, McGee and a 16-year-old, who described himself as McGee's boyfriend to police, were walking near the car business when a security guard fired multiple shots at them. McGee died as a result of the shooting. The security guard was later identified by police as Carl Miller, 60. Police said Miller was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Court records show a judge gave Miller a $500,000 bond. "Carl Miller did willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously kill and slay Deyonia McGee, a human being, by culpable negligence by firing a 'warning shot' at her, striking her in the shoulder and causing her death," a criminal affidavit states. The 16-year-old, whose identity was not released, was also arrested and charged with murder in the case. Jackson police did not share any additional information as to why the 16-year-old was charged with murder before this publication. A judge gave the teen a $50,000 bond. The charges were brought forward after authorities consulted with the district attorney's office. Anyone who has information related to these cases can contact Crime Stoppers at (601) 355-8477 or JPD at (601) 960-1234. 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: Jackson MS significant drop in murder victims for 2025 since 2024
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
Crime down along Queens' Roosevelt Avenue after months-long crackdown, officials say
Months-long crackdown along Queens' Roosevelt Avenue leads to crime reduction, officials say Months-long crackdown along Queens' Roosevelt Avenue leads to crime reduction, officials say Months-long crackdown along Queens' Roosevelt Avenue leads to crime reduction, officials say The New York City Police Department's months-long crackdown on alleged illegal activity plaguing Roosevelt Avenue in Queens has resulted in significant crime reductions, city officials said Tuesday. From illegal brothels to gang activity and unlicensed vendors, residents have been complaining of crime and quality of life concerns on Roosevelt Avenue for years. Over the past eight months, the city's "Operation Restore Roosevelt" multi-agency crackdown has aimed to address community concerns. Over 2,500 arrests in Operation Restore Roosevelt, officials say Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD officials touted double-digit declines in crimes across the corridor. According to officials, the decline include: Robberies down 27% Felony assault down 28% Burglaries down 48% Grand larcenies down 29% Sex crimes down 53% "We're using every tool possible, and the numbers speak for themselves. We have a 28 percent drop in crime along Roosevelt Avenue, year to date," Mayor Eric Adams said. They say the city's joint operation with the feds also led to the arrests of eight alleged members of the 18th Street Gang. "Dismantling a network that had been driving violence and disorder in this corridor for years," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Operation Restore Roosevelt has led to 27,821 summonses and 2,501 arrests, including 397 prostitution-related offenses, officials say. The city says it's worked to connect those impacted with services. Crime crackdown gets mixed reactions from Queens residents Reaction among businesses and residents has been mixed. Milton Reyes says last April, the sidewalk outside the pharmacy where he works was lined with illegal vendors. "You couldn't even cross the street," he said. "Because of everything that was going on." But more than a year later, he says it's looking "much, much better" thanks to Operation Restore Roosevelt. Some residents feel there's still a long way to go. "It's like whack-a-mole, really. They get 'em out of one area, they just show up at another one," Queens resident Mike Richard said. "For me, it's the same," another person said. Resident Gilbert Rios said his biggest complaints in the area are prostitution and crime. When asked if he thought the police presence made a difference, he said, "Yeah. When they stay over here, yeah." The NYPD says its presence isn't going anywhere as the city continues its efforts to reduce crime in the area.
CBC
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Vancouver's mayor says he wasn't behind push for $5 million DTES police crackdown
How the Vancouver Police Department got the green light for a $5 million campaign to reduce crime in the Downtown Eastside — or if it needed it outside approval at all — continues to be murky. "Coun. Fry's insinuations that direction for Barrage came from the mayor's office is false. To be clear, Task Force Barrage is a VPD-led initiative that I fully support," said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, in response to Coun. Pete Fry's filing of a freedom of information request for more transparency on the origins of the high-profile VPD campaign. Fry filed the FOI after VPD Board Chair Frank Chong said the board wasn't aware of Task Force Barrage until it was revealed in a media announcement. "We need to know that that authorization for police operations is not coming out of the back room in the mayor's office," he said. "There seems to be no paper trail." While Sim said Barrage is a VPD-led initiative, in April, the VPD characterized it as a "joint initiative by Vancouver Police and the Council". A VPD spokesperson said that was because council had committed to funding the project — but no formal vote has yet taken place. As Justin McElroy reports above, the conversation around the proposal is inherently tied to larger conversations in Vancouver around public safety and the VPD budget.
The Herald
24-06-2025
- The Herald
28 murders within basic education institutions in one year: Government to act
The ministers of police and basic education, Senzo Mchunu and Siviwe Gwarube, are due to sign a school safety protocol on Tuesday. The collaborative initiative aims to tackle the alarming rates of violence, crime and insecurity prevalent in schools. Recent police data for the 2023/2024 financial year highlighted 28 murders within basic education institutions, with nearly half occurring in KwaZulu-Natal and 46% involving pupil-on-pupil violence. More than 11,000 burglaries were also recorded. The departments said the protocol emphasises shared responsibility and integrates stakeholders into the safety ecosystem. An accompanying work plan has been developed providing practical, measurable and urgent activities, including joint school safety audits, updating standard operating procedures and ensuring compliance with laws regulating liquor outlets near schools. TimesLIVE
BBC News
19-06-2025
- BBC News
Apathy holding back reporting of crime in Devon, officer says
Policing resources can be prioritised if there is evidence of anti-social behaviour, a council meeting has at a North Devon Council's licensing and community safety committee, Devon and Cornwall Police urged people to report issues to help cut said anti-social behaviour was on the rise in parts of Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and Kevin Connar said: "Resources are finite, but if we know what is happening and told where the issues are we can better prioritise the resources we do have." He added: "Sometimes there is apathy [about] reporting because people do not believe there is an outcome from it... as police we are duty bound to investigate reports of crime. "You must coach the electorate to report and support them to report." Councillor Joy Cann said anti-social behaviour in Barnstaple had increased since street-based youth workers were scrapped as young people did not react well to police police said in the last three weeks a new outreach youth work programme had begun in Barnstaple, and a youth centre had been refurbished and reopened. Councillor Pru Maskell suggested crime was shifting to rural areas because it was more closely monitored in towns, and said one child she had spoken to was terrified of going to school in Braunton. Sgt Connar said when young people were not going to school out of fear it was an issue for schools to address as well as police and said when dealing with young offenders it was important to recognise adverse childhood experiences, deprivation and force said it had seen benefits from employing a dedicated child-centred police investigator.
