Information provided by U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst

In 2019, Murders Fell 75%, Attempted Murders Down 66%, Robberies Decreased 54%

U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst joined Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong, Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten, Sixth Judicial District Attorney Shameka Collins, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Will McCrary with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Gaddy with the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other officials yesterday to announce a significant reduction in crime in the City of Natchez as a result of Project EJECT.

“Project EJECT works, as reflected by these significant reductions in crime, and we have been successful because of the buy-in, cooperation and hard work of our local partners.  Leadership matters, and the Mayor, Police Chief, Sheriff, District Attorney and Board of Aldermen should all be commended for welcoming Project EJECT into their communities and working so diligently with us to make Natchez and Adams County safer. We intend to redouble our efforts in the coming year and expand our work under the Department of Justice’s Project Guardian to hopefully prevent more crime before it happens,” said U.S. Attorney Hurst.

“ATF has been proud to partner with the Natchez Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office in our diligent efforts to reduce violent gun crime,” said ATF New Orleans Field Division Assistant Special Agent in Charge William J. McCrary. “It is satisfying to see that these combined actions have had such dramatic results, and it is very encouraging to see such positive community support. ATF is looking forward to continuing to grow our partnerships in the coming year.”

“DEA is proud to be a part of Project EJECT with our federal, state, and local law enforcement and community partners, which has inflicted an astounding blow to the violent drug trafficking networks in this region of Mississippi and beyond. This project continues to show the collective strength that all of our partners have, combining resources to eradicate the supply of drugs and guns in this area, keeping our neighborhoods safe,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley. 

“I feel the joint operation with federal partners and local law enforcement has been extremely effective as it relates to crime fighting in the City of Natchez,” said Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong. “We have had tremendous positive results less than one year into the start of Project EJECT and we are very proud that US Attorney Hurst was willing to bring this operation into Natchez/Adams County.  This is a great example of how effective crime fighting efforts can be when you bring all agencies together.”

The significant reductions in crimes reported by the Natchez Police Department are included below.

Originally launched by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi in December 2017 in the City of Jackson under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”) initiative, Project EJECT is designed as an enhanced violent crime reduction program under the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods that incorporates decades of experience in bringing various levels of law enforcement together with stakeholders in the community, with the overall goal of producing a long-term, meaningful reduction in and prevention of violent crime.  EJECT stands for: “Empower Justice Expel Crime Together.”

In 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will further expand its efforts throughout the Southern District of Mississippi by implementing the Department of Justice’s new initiative, Project Guardian.  Project Guardian will involve enhancing coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improving information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensuring that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please click here.

Natchez, Mississippi Crime Statistics: 2018-2019* 

* As of December 30, 2019      + Fire Marshal has lead on the arson cases