JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes, Ward 3, said the police department needs at least $5 million. The money would go toward raising officer pay, as well as paying for new officers.

Stokes said the Jackson Police Department (JPD) is understaffed and is putting residents, like Mary Mitchell, at risk. Mitchell’s car was shot into while she was driving home from church on August 3. She said it took police more than 30 minutes to arrive at the scene.

“It’s sad to say that our police department, they nonchalant about, unless you’re dead or something. They just… I don’t understand. They take you, may just take whatever they take and go back. It’s… there’s no concern about something in certain areas,” Mitchell said.

“We got to have police officers pulling up fast, whatever is going on. They got to come quickly, but they can’t come if they’re not on the job,” said Stokes.

The councilman said the city does not need to raise taxes to get the money for JPD. He believes most of the money could become available if the number of city department heads is reduced.