Efforts to curb crime in Mississippi’s capital city are expanding with a new task force created to prevent carjackings.
In keeping with the U.S. Department of Justice’s comprehensive strategy for reducing violent crime, the task force represents a strategic enforcement priority, focusing federal resources on identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime.
Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the task force will include officers from agencies like the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with state, local, and other law enforcement, including the Jackson Police Department and Capitol Police.
“The Jackson Police Department will work together with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners as a part of the carjacking task force in Jackson,” Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said. “We are witnessing on a regular basis the benefits of working collaboratively in order to combat crime.”
Task force members will share and act promptly on information related to car thefts, carjackings, and the recovery of stolen or suspect vehicles. The task forces will also collaborate on how to use federal sentencing enhancements for cases where adults use juveniles to commit carjackings, as well as working with state and local authorities to ensure the appropriate handling of juvenile suspects.
State and local officials who wish to seek Justice Department grant funding for juvenile intervention and diversion resources will be assisted by partners in the collaboration.
“I am proud of the collaborative effort among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and our ability to tackle crime and uphold public safety, demonstrating the power of unity and coordination in law enforcement,” Capitol Police Chief Bo Luckey said. “We will utilize all branches of our law enforcement resources to ensure that every avenue of accountability is pursued, and these criminals are held accountable.”
In February, a unified approach between local, state, and federal law enforcement in Mississippi’s capital city agencies, or “Operation Unified,” was announced to reduce violent crime and remove drugs from the streets of Jackson. A month and a half later, the operation resulted in more than 600 arrests, over 200 illegal firearms seized, and more than 500 pounds of various drugs confiscated.
