JACKSON, Miss.–Murders in Mississippi lately have been coming in multiple-four at the same time in Jackson, the entire family shot in Copiah County, and if it’s got you worried, it also has the attention of the governor. In fact, before the latest rash of killings Gov. Phil Bryant put public safety as the focus of this coming legislative session.
That was made evident in his budget recommendation Wednesday. Part of that budget includes money for 16 new lawyers to prosecute crimes in the courts.
Those would be assistant district attorneys.
The budget also includes something new called a “strike force”. The cost-$1.5 million.
“Working with the Bureau of Narcotics, we’re even talking to the federal authorities about helping us go into high crime areas in a very intense way, fighting crime in those high crime areas,” he said.
The governor also proposes an increase in money to the state crime lab to help get cases through faster and making sure the empty positions in the state medical examiner’s office are filled.
The governor also talked about the importance of drug courts, which try to put users, not drug dealers, through a program where they get cleaned up and don’t have to clog the prison system.
“Obviously funding drug courts is critically important. we must reach an $11 million level if they are to be as effective as they can.”
As far as corrections, the budget calls for $362 million to fully fund the state prison system, plus $4 million for building repairs.
