JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – With school back in session in the capital city, Jackson police are continuing to highlight youth crime in the city.

Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said crime amongst the youth trend downward as the school year kicks in. He said the city experienced many property and violent crimes by teenagers this summer.

Wade wants to continue to challenge the community to work hand in hand with them to solve the issue. He said bad parenting is a major vessel for youth committing bad acts.

“If you have a 14-year-old committing capital murder; first of all, that 14-year-old has been failed on so many levels here, his now his life has been impacted and changed forever. But they have been failed on so many levels. As to how did they get to this point that they think it’s okay to kill someone, to take someone’s life? Where did he get a gun from? What oversight has been in that child’s life. Is that child registered to attend school? Is that child attending school? You know, we have got to create pathways to success,” the police chief stated.

Wade said the Jackson Police Department (JPD) is working closely with the Jackson Public School District (JPS) to ensure safety for students and to help prevent violent crimes happening on school grounds.