Trevillion was sentenced to life in prison, the second of four brothers to be sentenced to life for the killing of Justin Harris in 2007. The entire story may be read on the Post’s site at
http://www.vicksburgpost.com/articles/2008/12/04/news/doc49380a789bc94843411416.txt
New DA Ricky Smith has 10 convictions in 12 cases thus far. Your comments welcome.
The City of Vicksburg is considering the installation of cameras at the intersections of Halls Ferry Road/Pemberton Boulevard and Mission 66/Clay Street to finger drivers who disregard the traffic signals installed there. Natchez and other cities across the country have already approved such installations. At no cost to the city, the company that provides the cameras makes its profit by splitting traffic fines collected as a result of the apprehension of lawbreakers. The VPD supports the project, but there are many people across the country who have decried such installations as an infringement upon their rights. How do feel about such?
The old Speed Street School building, located at 901 Speed Street, and long ago renovated for apartment dwelling, has been declared unfit for habitation. Thirty residents have been given thirty days to vacate their apartments. The area around these apartments has been the scene of numerous crimes over the past year or more, though no resident (to our knowledge) of the apartments has been accused of any crimes. Will the crime rate in the area be affected by the dislocations? What’s your opinion?
If there are any present or former members of the Vicksburg police force who read or contribute to this blog online, we would like to hear your opinions about the operations of the Vicksburg Police Department. We do not want character assassinations, rumors, persons with an ax to grind, etc., just facts or well-thought-out opinions and recommendations. If you prefer not to use your true identity, pick a screen ID; your identity will never be revealed to others unless you want it revealed.
The people of Vicksburg read the words of the Chief or Assistant Chief of Police regularly in the Vicksburg Post, but never hear from those in the ranks. Enlighten us. For example, the Holmans, who just decided to move from their house on Oak Street due to criminal activity, charged that the police were slow to respond and unconcerned about their welfare. Is that true? What can be done about the crime in the Oak/Speed Street area? The force has only 57 members out of an approved number of over ninety. Why? Why is there such a tremendous personnel turnover? Is it true that there has been over a 100% turnover in the ranks in the past year? Why all the resignations? How do you feel about the sheriff’s department? Would combining police and sheriff’s department improve law enforcement? Are you using the automated crime reporting system effectively? How can the public help you to better do your job? What would you like to say to the public?
Your comments will contribute to a better understanding of the problems facing the department, and to an appreciation for the job that you are doing. Your input is sincerely requested. Others who wish to thank the VPD for its work, or who have another message or recommendation for them, are also invited to comment.
Nate Holman and Nonie Jones, who bought their “dream home” in the 2500 block of Oak Street back in 2006, are packing to leave after gunshots outside their home late Sunday evening. The couple had been featured on the front page of the Vicksburg Post’s Sunday morning edition in a story regarding their love of the house, and their fear of the neighborhood. They accuse the police of being slow to respond to their calls (200 911 calls over the past year), and unconcerned about their predicament, though others in the area have praise for the police. Several factors contribute to the high incidence of crime in the area, and to the VPD’s failure to control it. Give us your opinion: Why is crime so rife along Oak and Speed Streets? What can be done to make the areas safe?
They’re alternately called panhandlers, bums, mentally ill, or homeless, and they inhabit most if not all of our larger cities. They also sit on the benches alongside Vicksburg’s downtown streets, sometimes singly, sometimes in groups. Some have been known to the local shopowners for years, some just appear from nowhere. Some have been known walk the streets intoxicated and belligerent, others merely sit and stare at passersby, or lie quietly sleeping. But at some point, each will stop a passing stranger or shopowner or one of the many residents of the downtown apartments and ask for a handout. When approached, many people are intimidated or fearful, while others choose nonrecognition. Some contribute, others don’t. For your discussion are the following questions: Should we try to change the behaviour of these people? Are they negatively affecting the quality of life in downtown Vicksburg? Are they affecting trade? Should ordinances or laws be enforced or crafted to prevent such activity? Should churches and like organizations such as the Salvation Army be more actively involved in trying to better the lives of these individuals? Many more questions come to mind – comment as you like.
“We’re operating as a kids’ nightclub. Well, I wouldn’t say it was a kids’ nightclub…” So said Anthony Chiplin, operator of “Family Entertainment Center,” better known through its fliers as “Club XXL.” Chiplin has ten days to file an appeal to the zoning board’s decision to deny him an exemption.
VS received this email from a lady in Illinois today:
Please understand that I do want to offend anyone. I would like to know how safe Vicksburg really is? My husband and I are both white and we are being transferred to Vicksburg. We would like to stay at a campground in the area. After reading about the racial tension in Vicksburg on the Internet I am scared to death to leave the small town in IL that I am from.
Sincerely, IL Country Girl
Vicksburg Speaks responded with reassurance that Vicksburg is as safe a place to live as most other small towns, and that the races here generally get along well together. We do have occasional “tensions,” but racial bias, and certainly violence related to racial differences, is relatively rare. Can you add your views?
Counting the unborn child of one of the victims, there have been seven homicides in Vicksburg this year to date – a number that matches the total for the entire last year. Guns have been the weapon of choice, with a knife used in one of the murders. One has only to read the crime section of the Vicksburg Post each day to confirm that theft, rape, domestic violence, and other crimes number into the hundreds (and many are unreported in the Post). Has the undermanned Vicksburg Police Department lost control? Can the Warren County Sheriff’s Department be called upon for help? Would a merging of the two law enforcement agencies produce a body more competent to stem the rising rate of crime? What else can be done? Your suggestions are welcomed.
We face many in the years to come. But progress has been and is being made in our city and county. From your viewpoint, what are our greatest accomplishments? What are our biggest challenges? What improvements in city/county government would you recommend? Higher/lower taxes? Timely notification of changes in property tax? Bigger/smaller government? More/less regulations? Code changes? Subsidies to lower fuel costs? More bond issues for further capital improvements? More/fewer casinos? Inventory tax elimination? Merging of additional city/county functions? Changes in law enforcement, including merging city police with sheriff’s department? Full staffing of the VPD? More emphasis on recycling? Changes to our public school system? More attention to illegal immigration? A new movie house? Better reporting of crimes and more attention to their prevention? More mass transit (rail)? Additional recreational facilities? More variety in our restaurants? Jail all the lawyers? Legalize marijuana? Mufflers for the horns on KCS’ trains? Impoundment of any vehicle rattling to the beat of boom-boom rap and other vulgar “music?” Make permanent the downtown post office? Bigger flower beds in Washington Street? More/less trees/plants/other esthetics?
Vicksburg Speaks has obtained a small “flyer” advertising a new adult club here in Vicksburg -Club XXL, located at 2321 Washington Street. City officials apparently have no knowledge of this new establishment. The building at 2321 Washington Street appears innocuous at present. Is the club operating incognito? See the following website for photos of the flyer.
http://photosmisc.blogspot.com/2008/06/culb-xxl-flyer-2321-washington-st.html
The Mississippi Highway Patrol, The Vicksburg Police Department, and other cities across Mississippi have embarked upon a “Click It or Ticket” campaign designed to ensure that drivers and their passengers are wearing seat belts. They apparently feel that the threat of a warrant will have a positive enforcement effect. Is the effort a worthy one, or merely an easy way to rack up citations? Should our law enforcement agencies be spending their time on more worthwhile endeavors? Is the seat belt law an infringement upon our liberties? Does the law save lives? How would you react to being given such a citation that might cost you a hundred dollars or more?
With a new DA who vows to send criminals to jail, and a chief of police who claims the force is growing in numbers, the crime rate in Vicksburg should be measureably reduced. A glance at the lengthy “Crime, Fire, and Accident” section of the Vicksburg Post might tempt one to form a different conclusion. What’s your opinion of the situation in Vicksburg? Are you safer on the streets, in your car, or in the parking lots at the malls?
The four Trevillion brothers and one other man are due to stand trial for a murder that occurred last June 17. Two of the brothers were indicted for murder 12 years ago, for which they served aggravated assault charges. DA Ricky Smith will prosecute the five, while Attorney Jerry Campbell will defend them.
35 years in prison for the man whose shots threatened a child. That’s the result of our new DA’s first Warren County trial. What’s your reaction to that case, and to the DA’s performance in general to date?
VICKSBURG SPEAKS 