Jackson Jambalaya

Jackson does not have a mayor. It has more of a party planner.

A new jail if it is built correctly...

I'll bet that within six months of completion that it will have large holes cut in it, and they'll be back. Throwing good money after bad never works.

Bummer. Those are potential dem votes.

Did Jackson have authority to place the fence?
Pervious efforts have proved ineffective.
On another note you don't ever need wire cutters to get through a chain link fence.

I've been outside Mississippi and even been outside of the USA. These places beneath overpasses attract everything from bumfights to farmers markets.
Also, that fence won't do squat beside hide the eyesore.

It will be destroyed within a week of completion by those they are trying to keep out. The Indian hotels have run out of room and the governments post Katrina plan to make a deal with these motel owners for government subsidized housing backfired and was kept quiet. Couldn’t build subsidized housing fast enough, nor was there enough to meet the need, hence the plan was to use Indian owned hotels and look where it got us.

That's about all MDOT is good for...cleaning out bum holes.

This is a widespread problem that has accelerated over the past 10-12 years nationwide. Jackson has a unique situation considering both 20 and I 55 are here and ideal for travelers and homelessness. Chokwe is a twit and has no clue how to lead otherwise he would have been working on this from day 1. Instead he caters to his whacko Marxists in west Jackson and whistles past the graveyard... unfortunately it's full of young kids in his west and south Jackson drive byes.

In a short period of time we will all know people inside those fences.

Folks better get ready to pull themselves up by their bootstraps....

Ne Jackson resident here. I'm all in favor of the state taking over the city. Please God let it happen. The water and sewage is only 1 both above port-au-prince haiti.

The best way to deal with bums is give them an unlimited supply of hard liquor. Let them drink themselves to death.

8:02
There won't be any bums in Jackson after the fall. Jackson will be the sanctuary of urban warlords and their foot soldiers. The Pearl river will be the DMZ.

8:00 - not certain why you would say this is a unique situation for Jackson. All major metropolitan areas have multiple interstate intersections.

I believe the fences are on state or federal right-of-way so MDOT can do anything they want to protect the interstate.

@ 7:06, and I get the feeling none of us are invited to the party...that we paid for!

In a few weeks there will be tarps and sheets draped over the fence and God knows what will be going on in there, and when MDOT LE comes in to clean it out, there will be injuries and use of force incidents - welcome to the Jackson Autonomous Zone.

JAZ!

It's got a nice ring to it, huh?

This is nothing but a whack-a-mole effort. MDOT is about to spend a stupid amount of money that won't be effective long-term or keep them from popping up somewhere else within walking distance of a shelter.

Honestly all the low budget motels and long stay hotels along I-55 should be demolished.

While done in good faith, I must agree with previous writers. These things are limited in height, will be destroyed and if the perp is caught, so what. He/she won't pay fines and the municipal Jails will not hold them. MH is a joke not only in MS but the entire country. The idea of letting the MH run loose began years ago and one of my favorite Presidents supported this.

http://www.povertyinsights.org/2013/10/14/did-reagans-crazy-mental-health-policies-cause-todays-homelessness/

Be standing by to be raped on site.

7:59 has the lead for the moment. The rest need to step up your game.

The relocated zoo?

They need to do something. It is a shame they don't have a virus to spray on them that makes them want to work.

7:14, great idea. Throw all of the mentally ill into jail.

For those that don't think this is a serious issue, the I-85 bridge collapse in Atlanta a few years ago was due to a fire that was started by a homeless person living under the bridge.

White people, it's all your fault for moving when your houses and cars got broken into. When you fight the redistribution of wealth like the great mayor wants, this is what you get. Seattle 2.0, minus the weather and actual cool stuff to do.

The Christian thing to do, what Jesus would do, is invite these people into their homes and feed them, clothe them, and care for them. The fact that we have homelessness and racism in Mississippi is proof of their hypocrisy.

"I'm all in favor of the state taking over the city. Please God let it happen." Just what do you expect them to do? To take over this city will require quite a bit of State monies. They will not step on toes. We aren't talking about a failing school district, we are talking about a Municipality with duly elected officials.

Add a million volts to the fences...ya know, get the point across.

I echo the other posters, this is a waste of money that would be better spent on something productive.

For those of you who don't read the news, the fire in Atlanta was due to a fire set by a bum. However, the bridge collapse was due to the negligence of the Georgia DOT. Those numnuts had stored leftover spools of plastic conduit under the bridge. It was fenced but not secure by any means. When I say spools, I mean semi-truck after semi-truck after semi-truck loads of highly flammable, oil based plastic conduit. It was a huge area, under cover and the state of Georgia thought it would make a nice storage area. Idiots. Unless a tanker truck catches fire under one of Jacksons underpasses, we are in no danger of fire induced collapse.

Dear Mayor,

This is like when the neighbor mows your lawn, yet you are capable of mowing your own lawn.

Time for Melvin, Tony, "anybody."

I would think the bigger issue is the small village beneath the rail overpass on West Capitol St. It is quite a site to behold, with the delicate bouquet of a well-used latrine. BTW - The ATL I-85 underpass fire was greatly assisted by the flammable materials stored under it by GDOT.

I've decided to keep an Ar, a 9mm and plenty of loaded mags with me at all times. If it gets stolen, I'll just reach into the closet and get another one out.

This entire country is in a death spiral and the only thing that will stop it is forceful action against the leftist. I don't know what will trigger it, but it's coming. People are sick of lawlessness, violence and spineless politicians that love evil.

Here we go.

Why can't they build one of those around City Hall?

9:33, I'm a sinner. With that said I have a handful of homeless guys that come and go next to my place. No way would I let them in, because for all I know they have serious mental issues i.e. I know nothing about them, etc.

@10:01
There's are a prime example of why we need tighter control laws. Kooks always seem to be the most heavily armed.

10:01, So you think racial equality and social justice are a death spiral?

Perhaps if white men hadn't inflicted so much suffering on others, they wouldn't be so terrified of losing their grip on power.

Perhaps you should spend your days spreading goodwill and prosperity to the young people who will one day rule this land in your old age.

Instead of hoarding weapons and keeping your mind looked in a spiral of hate and violence.

If people of color wanted revenge on greedy bigots they would've burned down the suburbs during the recent protests against inequality.

The 'bums and miscreants' will be pissed and will throw literal shit through the fencing.

Why can't MDOT clear out the beggars and druggies that collect coins and useless McDonald's meals at the intersection of County Line and Lakeland. Those intersections are overseen by MDOT, are they not? These bums congregate on easements, walk in traffic, ride motorized chairs in traffic and give the finger to the motoring public.

8:24, why then hasn't this worked on the legislature?

I have been told repeatedly for years that when the beggars are on MDOT property, that there is nothing JPD or HCSO can do. The ones that hang out at Northside and I-55 and particularly on that spot right across from St. Dominic's on the Frontage Road corner with Lakeland Dr. They stand right there just daring JPD to do anything. I wish MDOT would take an active part in educating the public and the beggars that they cannot do this day after day, if indeed MDOT cares about the City. If the information is wrong that JPD and HCSO can do something about them, then please educate us!

@10:01, before you start tour murder spree, you may want to consider seeking professional help for your issues. You are not well.

Really, 10:56 am? If local LEOs were that hamstrung in clearing transients off MDOT property, you would see panhandlers standing at all of the interstate interchanges in Madison and Ridgeland, and also in Pearl and Brandon. But you don't see that, so why is that?

As much as I hate it - and fear it - I believe 10:01 is very possibly right! I believe the left is misinterpreting the rest of the country's patience with their temper tantrums as being weak. If this goes on much longer, I fear you're going to see an ENORMOUS number of people rise up and say ENOUGH! Remember, the left has always enjoyed the ability to pull their anarchist crap, because they knew the regular people were at work and didn't have time to counter-protest or otherwise put their feet down. This time is different. Enough people are already out of work and scared for their future.....but they're also angry at what they're seeing happening to this not perfect, but great, country!

I certainly don't wish for a clash between the people of this country, but there's only so much more the law-abiding people are going to take. Ironically, the left, who have been the strong advocates for gun control / gun confiscation, are pissing off the folks who HAVE the guns! Doesn't seem like a smart plan to me.

@11:25, you and @10:01 are making a perfect case for red flag confiscation. It is becoming a matter of national security. Too many armed kooks make the rest of us unsafe.

They have tried in both Madison and Ridgeland neither intersection of Interstate lends itself to profitable panhandling. It's not against the law to be poor, homeless or to panhandle. As long as they aren't impeding traffic their isn't much a policeman can do.
We could take a few dollars from the department to hire homeless advocates and people qualified to handle these situations and people. Then the police could handle crime

@11:31 You're a perfect example of why liberalism is clearly a mental disorder! So, let me see if i understand your reasoning on this: 11:25 is indicating that he/she has done nothing but, apparently peacefully - so far, stood by and observed how the left has begun to, non-peacefully, tear down the country. Yet, when he/she says that, at some point, others like him/her are going to have had enough, THEY'RE the "armed kooks making the rest of us unsafe?" Oh that's rich! Only the mind of a liberal could present that level of projection with a straight face......

That would be like you breaking into my house, yet if I were to resist, I would be the lunatic for trying to prevent you. Do you really not see the lunacy in your argument.....nevermind, I'm quite sure you don't.

MDOT should make them part of the litter crew. This bunch wouldn't be horrified by trucker's pissbottles or the other castoffs that are found beside the highways.

Dear Mr Liberal please give a proper definition of kooks. Look at yourself when answering this. Thanks in advance. "Too many armed kooks make the rest of us unsafe."

The state had the chance to take over JPS. After a little pondering the state said no thanks.

By the way, KF, thanks for calling a bum a bum. I'm confident there are some amongst that crowd that are in those circumstances against their desires, but the vast majority are the ones you see interviewed in the paper who have simply chosen not to work like the other chumps.

I didn't always feel this way. I used to believe a handout would really help a lot of these people, so I did just that. My attitude changed when I started trying to verify if these people were down-and-out or if they were merely grifters. I discovered that, at least with the people I encountered, I was being scammed in ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the cases! These people would give me a sad story, ones that were really good and would make you feel sorry for them (you know, the "I ran out of gas and I'm just trying to make it back to (a) the hospital where my wife is, (b) Magee, (c) Alabama, etc." only to see them take my money, walk around the corner and get into a car with their friends / accomplices. There were different stories being told most of the time (some were the same from different people), but again, they were 100% lies from the ones I encountered.

I just wanted to agree with you that there ARE bums out there. Big difference between them and "homeless."

Oh, and to the person speaking about the "beggar market" at I-55 at St. Dominic, I had an occurrence there late one evening that furthered my position from above: As the practically-new Volvo ahead of me and I were approaching that intersection about 10pm one evening, the guy with the sign turned around, saw the Volvo but had no communication with it, gathered his stuff, and went around and got in the passenger side. They tuned left on Lakeland, then turned left and headed north on I-55. Sure looked like a panhandling "system" to me....

Jackson residents should gladly welcome receivership.

Lawlessness seems to be subjective these days - destroy private and public property...walk free; assault cops...walk free; paint over graffiti...get arrested for a hate crime; defend your property...get indicted and prosecuted...what in the actual fuck??

I must have missed the civics lesson where it says that the rights of a destructive mob outweigh the rights of law abiding citizens just trying to go about their business. I'm still trying to get clarification from law enforcement what my rights to defend myself are if I'm surrounded by a mob of "protesters" in my car.

Any cops out there, please chime in!

When I used to go downtown often, I had the opportunity to witness quite a few panhandlers up close. It was my experience that most of them suffered from mental problems or were mentally ill. I'm sure that had something to do with Whitfield dropping off their patients at the bus station. I consider them different from the bums and they definitely need our help, even the naked jump-roper.

What I often see on the frontage roads are bums. Some are dropped off and picked up by others. The Street Committee says drug dealers drop some of them off. Then there is a certain group of panhandlers. They work in shifts and rotate among the various corners. They know damn good and well what they are doing. Especially that white couple.

There is also a problem of them moving away from the frontage roads and into the businesses and neighborhoods. The businesses that are on Canton Mart and Old Canton Road suffer these bums as they hang out in their parking lots more and more, harassing the customers. Everyone bitches about businesses leaving Jackson but no one wants to do a damn thing about it. When these businesses get tired of it and leave, don't grip but go look in the mirror. It will be a matter of time before they move into the neighborhoods and start panhandling or harassing the residents for money.

One business burned down on Wayneland and Old Canton Road. Coincidentally there is a vacant house across the street from it inhabited by squatters.

I agree with many of the above comments. The MDOT plan will not work in the long run.

Regarding the St. Dominic panhandlers, their "so called security" are under strict orders to find visitors trying to sneak a few puffs off a Marlboro Light in that dark parking garage rather than deal with potential real problems.

Panhandling seems to be fine, but smoking a legal cigaret is a capitol crime on their tobacco free "campus".


However, to their credit . . . the St. Dominic "security" staff is proud of their Smokey Bear hats.

But, I've overheard a few of these guys say they wish they had faster golf carts.

9:33 how pious you are. BTW, how many homeless people live under your roof?

Jackson is faced with many problems including lacking taxes due to all the state buildings are tax exempt, money coming from Jackson to help with Clint library, MDOT fraudulent giving Madison money and the list goes on. Looks like everything is against Jackson. The leaders of Jackson can do more but the state as a whole from politicians to metros area are against the thriving of Jackson. There is a lot of potential there Just take a few good people to step up

10:34, we worked for our way of life. We didn’t expect it to be given to us. Now, with that being said, I’m Irish and we were treated pretty damn bad. Some of us were shot beside the railroad tracks as we were building them. But we don’t cry about it. We move on. So should you.

I saw this being installed. Thought a bad wreck was under there at first but nope... Just 32 mdot “supervisors” watching that one poor guy set the poles. I’d hate to know how many it takes for a light bulb.

The comments show what a massive failure Christianity has been in Mississippi.

I don't give a shit who has authority at interstate rights of way or easements, ramps and intersections in or adjacent to Jackistan. The city of Madison has a flat-ass law against panhandling, hitchhiking, begging,loitering and setting up residence on concrete. Try it. You'll find out real quick!

@11:50. “ We could take a few dollars from the department to hire homeless advocates and people qualified to handle these situations and people. Then the police could handle crime”. Instead of taking funds from the police, Jackson needs to quit throwing away money to their useless social programs. It amazes me how Jackson would require a minority vendor for a project which resulted in a small minority owned business being awarded the contract and then the minority owned business turns around and hires a real firm to actually do the work. This scheme results in a significant increase in costs and only awarded a few select minority firms.

Story from a long time ago. Maybe 25 years. I was riding in the car of a colleague and as we approached the intersection of Ridgewood Road and Lakeland, heading south, there was a couple on the corner panhandling. The guy held a hand lettered sign that read “Wife pregnant, have job in Michigan. Need help getting back there.” Indeed the woman did look like she was about to give birth. Traffic was backed up with people handing the couple money.

I went home that evening and told my wife that we were going to get her a pillow and stand out on the same corner. We could clean up.

8:30 - government grant programs are tantamount to money laundering on an enterprise scale; grant money typically goes through a minimum of three organizations (each collecting M&A) before it is applied to its intended use. Taxpayers are lucky if 60% of an appropriation is available to the program it is funding.

Drove by there recently to shop cars. Been a while. The area has gotten much worse. Felt like I was in a third-world country. Sadly I was!

What we tolerate, we encourage.

@6pm. With your wonderful uplifting Christian words, I feel like I might not even need to attend church this week because of the joy and love that you have spread here.
Why don’t you take a look at the logs in your eyes before you worry about the twig in everybody else’s that are frustrated with a bunch of illegal junk that’s going on EVERYWHERE. I am a tax payer. I own that bridge and it is not open to squatters. Shoot us your address and we will send them right over to your backyard. Sure your neighbors will be thrilled if you are a homeowner or even a renter for that matter. Thx It was not made for housing.
I have two bamboo shoots in my eyes so I can’t judge anybody....cept you.

"The state had the chance to take over JPS. After a little pondering the state said no thanks."

Not true. What you might be trying to recall is that Governor Phil Bryant had a chance to turn JPS admin over to the State Education Department. He's a really wise, thoughtful and responsible man, and in order to not rile up the JPS customer base, he turned it over to Lumumba, whose management style is well known for problem resolution.

Carey Wright is not capable of performing a follow-up comparative analysis, but, if she were, the report would show a worse situation now than existed four years ago.

How condescending we are for the poor. We must reach a helping hand out to those struggling to find daily shelter and nurishment.

True that some people who ask for help do not need it. But many do. Open your hearts.

12:05, 4:41

Since you're so convicted, we're certain you'll drive down to Beasley/Adkins, Old Canton Rd, and N'side once each morning, noon , & night to "lend a helping hand" (12:05) and "open your hearts" (4:41)... We're watching for you to show us the way YOUR hearts are.

So what good are these fences, and the money spent by MDOT for them, if the gates to the inside of the fences / underpasses is simply left wide open as they are now?