Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade is beginning a new initiative against violent crimes committed in and around Jackson’s neighborhood gas stations and convenience stores.
This initiative, “Operation Gas Up and Guns Down,” will consist of officers from JPD’s Operations Division, Traffic Unit, Detectives, Training Staff Officers, Administration Staff, Intelligence Unit, Community Engagement and Neighborhood Enhancement. There will be a strong law enforcement presence around gas stations and convenience stores in each precinct that have experienced and increase in criminal activity.
JPD will be focusing on loitering, panhandling, trespassing, gang activity and drug activity. Officers will be collecting intelligence information such as completing field contacts on people who are just hanging around, finding out who they are and what their business is.
“I’m challenging my police officers to get out of their cars,” Wade said. “We will have sign-in- sheets strategically placed inside the gas stations for officers to document their visits.”
JPD says they’ve identified at least four stores in each of the four precincts that have a propensity for violence and they will focus on those in an effort to slow and stop gas station crime.
“We want our citizens to visit gas stations and convenience stores, but we want it to be an inconvenience for the criminal element,” Wade said.
