Barrett-Simon Robbery

Police have released a sketch of the man who robbed Margaret Barrett-Simon on Saturday.

With rumors abounding that the robbery might have been for intimidation or shock purposes to affect her decisions on the council, a WLBT report says:

Jackson Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon says the man who robbed her and her husband al at gunpoint outside their Belhaven home Saturday was not your typical armed robber. "Almost as an afterthought he said he wanted my purse," she says.

But Barrett-Simon won't go so far as to say it might have been orchestrated. "I'll let the law enforcement officers determine that. What we did come to believe, after thinking through this, is robbery was not the primary motive."

Meanwhile, the Clarion Ledger reports that the Belhaven neighborhood is stepping up private security:

Residents of Jackson's Belhaven neighborhood are stepping up private patrol hours following the weekend armed robbery of City Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon. The Greater Belhaven Security Association has asked Securitas International Security Service to double its daytime hours because residents say more crimes are being committed when homeowners are away at work or running errands.

Cory Wilson who is running to represent the Belhaven area in the State House of Representatives (H66) has some interesting ideas to fight Jackson crime. He wants to establish a Capital Security and Economic Development District:

Wilson’s proposed District would have its own police force (a strengthened Capitol Police), designated judicial resources, and funding for infrastructure and beautification. The District would include areas around the Fairgrounds, the State Capitol Complex, UMC, and other state facilities, many of which are located in and around District 66.

Wilson’s proposed District would allow the State to compensate Jackson for tax-exempt state and non-profit properties through extra law enforcement. JPD would be freed up to patrol in our neighborhoods. Our overburdened justice system would be reinforced to speed up and increase convictions. The proposal also includes resources to make sure that once criminals are caught, they stay in jail. Wilson’s proposed District would help create a real deterrent to criminals and make Jackson’s assets as the state capital stronger.