Squatters in Jackson are getting a break from JPD despite a new law that makes it easier for law enforcement to crack down on squatters. WLBT reported Tuesday:
LuCroy Residential had a South Jackson home ready for a Section 8 tenant who had waited months. Then employees showed up for a final inspection and found a squatter. Manager Charlie Lucroy tried to use House Bill 1200 to remove the squatter. The law gives property owners a 72-hour contest window, a 7-day hearing and fast-track removal. But when Lucroy called Jackson Police, they told him to call the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office. When he did, he was told to call Jackson Police. “What is the exact process? Who... what’s the chain of command? Who gets what? Who do I give my affidavit to?” LuCroy said.... The confusion has real consequences. When LuCroy and his employees came to the home for a final inspection, the squatter was hostile. Police gave them a blue card and told them it was a civil matter. LuCroy thought the squatter had vacated, but when employees returned, she was there again. The squatter threatened to kill the managers. Police took her away for trespassing and filed charges. During that time, the squatter got back in. The garage door was pushed in and folded down. The squatter had forced herself through the garage after LuCroy changed the locks. Her car was in the yard.... LuCroy’s attorney contacted the attorneys with the Jackson Police Department and Hinds County Sheriff’s Office because each one said it falls under the other jurisdiction. “No one wants to really... no one’s really been trained on it, it doesn’t feel,” Lucroy said. Article & video.JPD trying to get out of doing its job. What a surprise.
What is more troubling is the Chief apparently does not know the law:
Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney says jurisdiction under House Bill 1200 is determined by location. Properties inside Jackson city limits fall under JPD. Properties in unincorporated Hinds County fall under the Sheriff’s Office.
Dr. Chief is dead wrong. The law specifically gives any law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over an area the authority to investigate and prosecute squatters. Section 2(c) of HB #1200 states:
c) No more than twenty-four (24) hours after the filing of the sworn affidavit, the law enforcement agency shall issue a citation upon the alleged squatter in possession of the identified premises or claiming possession thereof. The citation shall command such person to immediately vacate the premises or to notify the municipal or justice court, as applicable, no more than three (3) consecutive days after receipt of the citation that he or she wishes to show cause why he or she is not squatting and should continue in possession of the property. If the alleged squatter fails to notify the municipal or justice court of his or her intent to challenge the charge of squatting within the prescribed time period of three (3) days, the squatter shall be subject to immediate removal from property by the law enforcement agency of the municipality, county or political subdivision in which the property in question is located. No writ of removal shall be required for such removal.
Translation: If a home is in the CCID, Capitol Police, JPD, and the Hinds County Sheriff can enforce the law. If the home is say in South Jackson, JPD and the Sheriff can enforce the law. If the home is in Clinton, Clinton Police and the Sheriff can enforce the law. If the home is in Learned, the Sheriff can enforce the law. Get the picture? However, regardless of what the Chief says, it is disturbing to learn JPD is trying to get someone else to do its job.
State Representative Shanda Yates included the language so enforcement. She told WLBT:
Representative Shanda Yates says the law was written to be flexible on purpose. “We left it as broad as possible so that as many police officers, as many agencies as necessary would be able to enforce it,” Yates said.
Kingfish note: Dear reporter: It would have bee nice if you had quoted the bill in your story instead of relying on other people to tell you what was in it. The language was also included so homeowners had another option if a Chokwe-type Mayor refused to enforce the law.
15 comments:
This whole squatting this is absurd. How someone thinks they have a right to break in and acquire someone else's property is nuts. And how there are actually people that side with them is even crazier.
Its a new world. Criminals have more protection than victims.
Sad, but true.
I wonder how much longer our little Republic will last, at this point.
Chalk it up to living in Hinds County.
Sue the Hell out of the JPD
The Dr. Chief is consulting her books for guidance.
The mother of idiots is always pregnant. Jackson is governed and inhabited by such individuals. And the situation is not getting better and wont anytime soon.
I will be consulting my attorneys Smith & Wesson, Esq. for guidance.
This new police chief needs to GO!!!
People should protect their property. If someone is on your property you should remove them. Remember the Castle law?
Expand Capitol Police and dump JPD. In fact, the state should take over Jackson for the sake of the city.
Removing a squatter is fairly easy. Just shoot them for breaking in and say you were scared for your life. As long as they are in the house, no worries. Oh wait, we are talking Hinds county. Never mind….
That's "Dr. Chief" to you.
Will the Dr. Chief commission a $500,000 crime study? Maybe Socrates could put that together. Right?
Is the chief too illiterate to read the law? Does JPD not have any competent legal resources on call that would help them follow the law when conducting law enforcement operations? Did the city budget enough to buy them all the clown shoes they ought to be wearing?
Chief PhD doesn't want to enforce the law because John Horhn doesn't want to enforce the law. That is the bottom line.
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