Jackson Jambalaya

When I was growing up in the 1980's and early 1990's my grandparents lived on Maria Drive. I have so many wonderful memories of the time spend on that street. It was peaceful and well manicured lawns and maintained affordable homes from the 1950's and 1960's.

I drove through that neighborhood about 5 years ago and i was struck with horror at what it had become.

I will have those good memories until the day I die.

Perception of crime.

56th homicide of the year! Jackson is not a safe city, the reason people avoid it.

But Jackson doesn't have a crime problem. . .

Vickers was a known criminal, dope head, and Simon City Royal gang banger. His Facebook name was Harley Vickers. NOT saying he deserved to be killed by any means but if you play in the mud with the pigs you’re gonna get dirty...

How bad of a criminal was this guy that even JJ readers know about him! Also, I think this may place the Simon City Royals in a bad light now. I hope they don't lose their title and land.

56 killings is no insignificant number. I think a vigilante is out cleaning up Jackson under the cloak of darkness.

Are we on track for the most murders in a single calendar year?

I think the "Jackson is gone" crowd needs to specify which part of Jackson is gone. I've lived in Jackson for five years and never been near Maria Drive. It would take me a half hour to get there. I'm not being snobby - I don't have any business or reason for going there.

His FB page is cracking me up. Honestly, I"m pretty surprised he made it this long in life! LOL

"Are we on track for the most murders....."--- not even close, but definitely getting closer to the most in the last 10 years or so. Of course, people keep screwing over their dealers around here and we could get there a little faster

Jackson may not be safe, but it is a "Radical"city!

Hate to have to say this, but it certainly appears that Jacksin, the state, country and world are all better off now that this killing has happened. Whether it is gang vs gang retribution, turf warfare, or some folks trying to clean up their streets and neighborhood it doesn't matter. Scum off the street seems to be the result. Kinda,like when Melton was Mayor and went after some of the drug kingpins - not his but the competition - at least half of the dealers were being targeted which is better than none.

As the JPD spokesman would say......Vickers is deceased at the present time. Jackson IS lost!

12:43, not understanding the hate on Jackson either. The area of Jackson I live in has young families with kids moving IN from out-of-state or the surrounding suburbs. I see a resurgence, a small one, and the elderly in our neighborhood agree. It has been a while since younger families have come into the neighborhood. Just on my small street within the past two years, we have had four families with multiple kids move in. We are all under 35. This includes me and my family. The neighborhood is having a similar turnover. Our kids play on the street and ride their bikes through the neighborhood. No gunshots or home invasions. No kidnappings.

Highland Village is changing for the better for young people like myself and the District is a huge shot in the arm.

It's especially hilarious those that think that Jackson Academy is in the "hood." Yea, it's in a neighborhood with beautiful trees and houses. And...holeeeee smokes, black people go to school there now. Let me know the last time a Jackson Academy student has been shot, assaulted, raped, had their car stolen or broken into while on campus or parking on campus down the street. Disclaimer: My kids don't go to Jackson Academy and I do not live in Sheffield.

The homicide peak of Jackson was in the late 80s and early 90s. We have just now gone back to the good old days as far as homicides go. And yes, recently we have surpassed those numbers. The Jackson crime problem is not a new one. Maybe your ol NE Jackson bubble simply wasn't aware of what was going on around you.

Btw, at some point, we will start addressing crime with solutions rather than cages. Once someone commits a violent act, there really isn't much of an option other than incarceration. However, chances are good, the lifestyle that led to a killing/aggravated robbery/whatever had plenty of warning signs and wasn't addressed by our "justice" system as it could have been.

MS needs a new law that bans carports. If he had been in a real garage this wouldn't have happened.

Checked out his FB page. It's hard to believe that there are actually people who speak and live the way that it appears that he did. I had to back out. I could've spent hours just checking out his friends FB pages too. The amount of gangster speak, ignorance and hopelessness is pretty depressing. I hate it for his kid. She has such a small chance of leading a productive life...

I think the "Jackson is gone" crowd needs to specify which part of Jackson is gone.

Sure thing, cowboy. Just as soon as the "Jackson is awesome and everyone who lives in Madison or Niknar is a racist" crowd starts owning up to exactly what parts of Jackson they are referring to when they trumpet its greatness.

By your own admission, there are parts of Jackson you don't consider worthy of inclusion into your little cloistered view of the city. I doubt many of you shop on Ellis Avenue or dine on Medgar Evers Blvd or picnic at Battlefield Park.

Problem is you can't have it that way. You can't say, "Jackson is awesome! (except for South and West and Highway 80 and Midtown and over by Callaway)." Because once you do that, you most certainly ARE being snobby, and some might argue racist.

Jackson isn't only Heatherwood and Belhaven and Eastover and Fondren and Whole Foods, pal. It's a package deal, and you can't simply dismiss a murder as irrelevant because it happened in "their" part of town.

Fake News....White Gang Banger Shot in Jackson blame 3 black males...Fake News!!

His should be procescuted as a hate crime.

Unfortunately they will never put much effort into finding the killers since the victim is white.

Thank you 2:16. I agree. The jealous, irrational, hateful rebuttals will start in 3..2..1.

@2:16PM. Maybe you need to attend the next “Project Eject” meeting and see how warm and fuzzy you feel about your circumstances dwellings in the heart of the Bold New City.

@2:16 PM I suspect that you bought in that neighborhood because of the real estate bargains. There is a reason for that. Please don't get lost some night and venture into the nearby hood by accident.

2:16

tick... tick... tick..

2:16 wrote:

"Btw, at some point, we will start addressing crime with solutions rather than cages. Once someone commits a violent act, there really isn't much of an option other than incarceration. However, chances are good, the lifestyle that led to a killing/aggravated robbery/whatever had plenty of warning signs and wasn't addressed by our "justice" system as it could have been."

Please elaborate. PLEASE.

For all of you who have negative comments about Harley and his FB page or his “gangster” speak, etc...please remember that regardless of his vocabulary or his choices in life, in friends - he was loved. His daughter lost her father. His mom lost her son. He had a brother and a sister and family that will miss him. You can have your opinions but for sake of his family, be KIND.

Top Years for Jackson Murder:
1995 = 92
1994 = 91

2018 = 85 (Projection based on current murder rate. Excludes justifiable homicides and/or police shootings)

1993 = 84
1991 = 76
2008 = 73
1996 = 67

Numbers are meaningless. All bullets matter.

This was not a robbery. Nothing taken. 2 men came across from the back of the house and one in front. Forced victim to lay face down then shot him twice in the back..This was a hit.. Police need to check into a man with whom the victim sometimes worked.

@ 8:07 Is the person he worked with/for from Vicksburg? Also, if you know something, please call the tip line in the article.

I knew the victim when he was a child. Poor kid never stood a chance. He lived as he was taught to live and it most likely cost him his life. Seriously doubt this was a robbery.

His house was burglarized two weeks ago?

2:55 pm still doesn't get the difference between a city and a suburb.

Please do tell us of a city that doesn't have areas that are crime ridden.

And, I'm an older citizen who is also thrilled that young families have moved into my neighborhood. They are remodeling and adding square footage and it encourages us to do the same. There's only one house left for sale in our neighborhood and I absolutely love that our home values have increased significantly.

8:42 - Are you too damned old to mention the neighborhood you're talking about?

I absolutely love that our home values have increased significantly.


Prove it. If you are in Jackson, you can't.

I absolutely love that our home values have increased significantly.

What planet do you live on?

92 murders in 1995...how many people lived in Jackson then? Far more! The per capita murder rate is dwarfing otter year!!

2:16. I assure you that his kid will be just fine and will lead a productive life. I have that covered. As for the way that Harley spoke and lived, he lived and survived by the means that he was raised. As a child he had no choice in the situation or the cards he was dealt. And when that lifestyle is all that you have known your entire life, you tend to follow suit. Who are you to pass judgement on others?? Most people continue on the paths they are born on to. Even you are not free from that. Every life is precious....no more or less than the next.

No Francis, Jackson Academy is not in the "hood." Then again, 25 years ago, Maria Drive wasn't in the hood either.

Tick, tick, tick.

Harley Vickers was an amazing person. Yes he was and will always be a Simon city royal. He was on righteousness though as I know first hand. I was by his side for alot of acts of recovering stolen cars for civilians, helping a single mother get her vehicle running and spending his own money for the parts. Didn't charge her a dime. We we're trying to better our city and restore the royal name. I will continue to do righteous acts and weed out the ones who steal, Rob, or do petty things which give us a bad name. Harley was a father, a son a brither, an uncle, the same title most of you biased people haven. Assumptions only make things more out of context than should be so keep them to yourselves and have sympathy for the family and friends of our beloved brother Harley. Rest easy brother. Continue to watch over us and protect us from impurities you can for see. I love you brother. Signed by the sir hand of sir slim.

y'all can say what you want about him but I know if he was here y'all wouldnt be saying nothing out the way to him or about him. he was NOT a criminal, he was NOT a dope head. he was a fantastic father & boyfriend. everyone that has something bad to say about Harley cuz shove it.. and y'all can leave our lil daughter name out y'alls mouth. and if y'all have a problem wit any of it then y'all can come take it up wit me..
$it Viciou$ Queen

That was my brother

All you talking crap about Harley need to take a look at your own life. Harley was and will always be better than the majority of us out here. If you needed something, all you had to do was ask, and he was there. I knew him and his brother from years and years ago. It sickens me that you people can judge someone just by how they dress or talk. Rest in peace brother, we will meet again one day.

That was my brother

Me and my brother were crying about the person we both grew up with and the people said Harley was nothing your just jealous Rest In Peace