The Precinct 4 Community Oriented Policing & Government group (COPS) met at the Precinct 4 Headquarters at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2006. There was a total of 25 attendees (not all logged in).

Bob Oertel called the meeting to order and led us through introductions.
Precinct 4 Old Business & Updates
Buddy Graham handed out brochures announcing an art show at The Cedars on Monday, April 3, 2006, from 5-8:00 PM.

Environmental Court
Under old business, several people reported on the session of Environmental Court earlier in the day. The standing-room-only crowd at court indicated the importance of arranging the court schedule by category and/or scheduling additional sessions of the court as promised by Judge Clay. Most cases pertained to abandoned and junked cars in which the owners were fined $100 and given five days to remove the vehicles. Jeff Anderson reported that none of our high profile cases were before the court today.

It was noted that Marshand Crisler nor Goldia Revies were present. Two months ago they each asked the Precinct 4 group what some of our main concerns were. We presented some very specific issues to them and they have not responded yet to these specifics.
(See the January minutes for a refresher)

Lou Brase indicated his neighborhood (River Oaks/Meadowoods in North Jackson) is seeking to form a neighborhood association. He asked about neighborhood covenants. In response, members of COPS affirmed that neighborhoods can draw up covenants which can be enforced if a certain percentage of the owners agree to the terms. It is important to check state and municipal laws and wether there are already existing covenants on the books. The services of a lawyer are beneficial. Contact Chancery Court to see if covenants exist already. Covenants are in force for 25 years before they must be renewed.

It was also noted that COPS serves as a great conduit between neighborhood organizations, police, and other city personell.

In the absence of Goldia Revies and Marshand Crisler, any discussion of habitual code violators was somewhat subdued. It was noted that we should contact the Young Lawyers Association to let them help with bringing recommendations regarding changes in city codes and laws that will help deal with habitual offenders. It was noted as well that the Board of Health and Protective Services can be of help in some situations in which children are present in a sub-par home or in which conditions are a threat to the surrounding properties.
The problem of advertising signs placed at street corners on public property was noted. Most, if not all, of these signs have phone numbers. It was suggested that JPD should call the numbers and threaten fines if the signs are not removed. It was reported the Signs and licensing office collects such signs every Friday. Some suggested residents should remove signs displayed on public property. We were warned that election signs come under different regulations and individuals removing them could get in trouble. It was also noted a very vocal city councilman routinely disobeys the regulations regarding signs on public property.

It was suggested we should ask local newspapers to run public service announcements regarding laws such as parking in yards, placing signs on public property, and littering.

In response, it was noted Keep Jackson Beautiful will send a letter to the litterers if given the license plate number of cars observed littering. To contact Keep Jackson Beautiful click here.
Ask the Commander (Lieutenant)/COMSTAT
Lt. Steve Sansom presided at the Ask the Commander section of our meeting. He reported on COMSTAT, the weekly compilation of crimes reported. Note that COMSTAT reports list the crimes reported so it is raw data before it has been scrutinized. The crimes may be reclassified after they are investigated and reported according to FBI standards.

• Overall crime in Precinct 4 was down 60% two weeks ago but is up a bit this week. He pointed out that this crime data is more effective in analysis over longer time periods.
• There have been some significant arrests recently.
• We are dealing with another rash of auto burglaries. In response, Highland Village has hired some off-duty police officers. They have identified a number (6-7) cars pulling into the shopping center but leaving when the police officers are seen. It is likely these are teams preparing to break into cars. Most of the auto burglaries occur in the I-55 corridor between Briarwood Drive and County Line Road. In addition, three gated apartment complexes have had an unusual number of auto burglaries (15-20 in one gated apartment complex alone). This suggests the thieves have access to the gate code or have a partner inside the complex who gives them the code. The hour between 5 pm and 6pm has been the popular hour at Highland Village but has change from 6-7 to 8-9 to the north.
• Regarding the danger of or safety from crime in gated communities, several observations were made: the safest gated communities have a guard at the gate. Homes or apartments near the perimeter of the community have the most crimes.
• This led to a prolonged discussion of the law regarding the legality of the police coming into private property such as streets in gated communities (the streets with white signs and green letters are on private property while streets with green signs and white letters are public streets. The police cannot work accidents on private property. If drug dealing is witnessed, the drugs can be seized and few courts will return the drugs to their owners. But without search warrants, arrests cannot be made. It was noted a lot of transport trucks (18 wheelers) park in the vacant Winn-Dixie parking lot. The owner or realtor managing the property can sign a complaint and have the trucks towed. We were reminded that the police are restricted in responding to and acting on problems on private property. These restrictions are important in keeping us from becoming a police state.
• It was noted commercial vehicles are not allowed to park in residential neighborhoods for more than two hours. Apartments complexes are private property and it is up to the complex ownership to complain and take action. It was noted a commercial truck parks next to 1038 Cedar Hill almost every night. JPD personnel noted this.
  The Jackson noise ordinance is currently suspended because of its vagueness, the lack of noise meters to determine if noise meets standard, and the law that says a police officer's peace cannot be disturbed. In case of excessive noise, the police will help ask the offender to reduce the decibels. If the person whose peace is disturbed will sign an affidavit after being sworn by a court clerk, the police will take action. This requires a trip downtown to find a court clerk. Very few JPD officers are court clerks that would enable them to prepare an affidavit on site. Ordinarily, disturbing the peace must occur after 9:30 p.m. Prior to that, such things as construction crews are allowed to make excessive noise. Bob Oertel reported on an email from John Lunardini, a Precinct 4 resident and regular COPS participant. He commended the JPD on response time to a recent call for action in north east Jackson. The same e-mail told of a neighbor who car had been stolen from him by someone with a shotgun.
• Two lots in Eastover were reported to Jeff Anderson. This report was made in response to a program presented by Bob Oertel, Belmont Trapp, and Jim White to a discussion club involving Precinct 4 residents. Bob Oertel noted he was going to speak to another group of Precinct 4 residents in the near future.
• Stray dogs remain a problem in Midtown. Part of the problem is the lack of personnel and equipment. Only 2-4 dogcatchers are on duty and they have to share equipment. Further, these Animal Control officers attend a lot of meetings and are unavailable. They will respond to Precinct 4 requests only in emergency situations. Lt. Gerald Jones was named as the officer in charge of Animal Control. It was suggested we should address City Council about this persistent issue.
• It was noted the North Hills Square Apartments seem to be the source of a lot of criminal activity.
• A resident reported a lot of speeders north of Northside Drive on Manhattan. JPD personnel took note of this report.

Group Work
Those in attendance counted off and broken into five groups: Code Violations, Communications & Outreach, Beautification, Legislation, and Crime Prevention. After 20 minutes of discussion, each member of each group was asked to take a small assignment and bring back some information to the next meeting.

Since this writer (J.W.) was in the Crime Prevention discussion group, these notes will be logged into the minutes. Regarding Crime Prevention, several concerns were noted:

• The number one issue must be stricter enforcement of traffic laws throughout the city. This is the primary way to reduce crime since taking control of the streets is the key to taking control of the city.
• A great deal of crime can be prevented by citizens using good sense in matters such as locking doors, not leaving purses or valuables in plain sight inside cars, trimming shrubbery around homes, keeping an eye on one's neighbors' property, and reporting crimes or violations witnessed.
• Drugs are a problem in Boardmoore. Increased police patrol presence has helped significantly. Discharging firearms off back porches was a problem until a resident complained (the police depend a great deal on requests for assistance from citizens - they can't stop what they don't know is taking place). The Quality of Life officers have helped reduce the number of cars parked in yards in portions of this neighborhood. The QoL officers have been very responsive when called.
• The neighborhood association meets at the Redeemer Church every three months. More frequent meetings were suggested and church facilities at two churches (Redeemer and Fondren) were offered.
• Neighborhood Watch programs are a great way to curb crime.
• Quality of Life officers were lauded for their good work in making a significant impact west of North State Street.

As the five groups finished their work, Bob Oertel adjourned the meeting. We will meet again on the next fourth Thursday, April 27th at 5:30 p.m.

Announcements

• Buddy Graham handed out brochures announcing an art show at The Cedars on Monday, April 3, 2006, from 5-8:00 PM.
• A hurricane recovery workshop is taking place April 3-5 in Baton Rouge. The Gulf Coast Community Oriented Policing Institute (GSRCPI) is providing incentives for interdisciplinary teams and individuals. Go to the GCRCPI website for more information. http://www.gsrcpi.org/hurricane
  JAN Board Meeting
• Monday, April 3, 6 PM, Room 105 of the Hood Building at 200 South President Street. Nina Holbrook and Margaret Barrett-Simon are confirmed to speak
• JABJ COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
  Gain insight on the inner workings of print and broadcast media and improve public relations along with communications skills during a media workshop and a public forum sponsored by the Jackson Association of Black Journalists (JABJ).
  Business professionals, elected officials, artists, educators, civic and community groups, and the general public are invited to attend the workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8th in the Clarion-Ledger's community room located at 201 S. Congress Street in downtown Jackson. There is a five-dollar ($5) registration fee, which includes a continental breakfast. Participants will be admitted on a first come first served basis. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop computer for workshop exercises.