South Street first stop for Community Neighborhood Watch meetings

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Citizens of the South Street area neighborhoods met with police and city officials yesterday at the South Street Shoppette to not only address the recent criminal activity in the area, but to also lay the groundwork for a local Neighborhood Watch program.

The meeting is part of Alderman TJ Mayfield and Vicksburg Police Chief Penny Jones Community Neighborhood Watch initiative, which aims to address neighborhoods that are currently hotspots for criminal activity and find ways to help empower those communities to “take back their streets.”

In yesterday’s meeting, Chief Jones announced that two additional cameras will be installed to help provide additional coverage of the area, but also encouraged individuals to consider getting cameras for their homes.

“I know a lot of people are depending on the police department to have cameras up, but a lot of people have Ring cameras,” said Chief Jones. “Your camera might just catch something that our cameras might not catch.”

Jones also stated that another purpose of the meeting was to address things they might not be aware of.

“There may be some areas on South Street or on Harrison Street where there are things going on that we don’t know about,” she said. “And it may be you all don’t want to talk to us about it on camera, but I certainly am willing to listen to you. My office door is always open.”

Community members were also able to address the lack of speed limit signs on South Street, as well as addressing loud music late at night, among other challenges.

Alderman Mayfield, in a statement made after the event, encouraged other neighborhoods to reach out to him.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to Chief Penny Jones, the Vicksburg Police Department, and the residents of the South Street area who participated in yesterday’s discussion on crime and other neighborhood concerns,” he said. “Meaningful change occurs when we collaborate as a community and reclaim our neighborhoods. This meeting marks the beginning of many such initiatives, and I invite you to contact me if you are interested in scheduling a similar event in your neighborhood.”