JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Gov. Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) announced on Tuesday that a major public safety operation is taking place in the City of Jackson.
The governor chose a spot along Interstate 55 to make the announcement. He was a few feet from where a video showed a man shooting out of a car with what appeared to be an assault rifle.
The incident happened in October 2023, and Reeves mentioned the shooting during his comments on Tuesday. He said a suspect was arrested, but he hopes Operation Unified will curb violent crime in Jackson.
Reeves said Operation Unified is the result of coordinated efforts between state, local and federal law enforcement agencies. The operation involves surging those law enforcement resources to the capital city.
Operation Unified started in mid-January 2024. The goal is to get drug traffickers and violent criminals off of the streets of Jackson.
“Jacksonians deserve to live in peace, and they should not have to fear for their safety while running errands or commuting to work,” said Reeves. “Together with our local and federal partners, we will put a stop to it. As one unified front that is committed to stopping violent crime, this operation will help us to do exactly that. I’d like to thank our law enforcement partners for helping us tackle the crime plaguing this fantastic city.”
During the news conference, the governor spoke directly to criminals operating within the city.
“Your time here is over. You don’t run this city, and you are not immune to the law. We will not surrender our streets to you, and we will never – and I mean never – rest until you are behind bars. Your partners in crime are getting caught, one by one. And I promise you this: all those who prey upon the residents of Jackson and our great state will be caught and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Law and order will win the day here, and you will be brought to justice,” Reeves said.
The governor was joined by Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner Sean Tindell, Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, and Jackson Police Department Chief Joseph Wade.
Operation Unified includes the following law enforcement agencies:
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Narcotics
- Capitol Police
- Office of Homeland Security
- Jackson Police Department
- Hinds County District Attorney
- Hinds County Sheriff’s Office
- Mississippi Department of Corrections
- FBI
- DEA
- ATF
- U.S. Attorney’s Office.