Jackson records highest homicide rate in U.S.
A Facebook post said the City of Jackson had the highest homicide rate in the nation last year, a development officials and residents say could have broad social and economic consequences. Jackson is Mississippi’s capital and largest city.
The post said every murder carries a cost to taxpayers, including law enforcement response, investigations, prosecutions, incarceration and victim services. It said crime can drive away investment, slow economic growth and make it harder to attract jobs and families to Mississippi.
One national study cited in the post found that each additional officer prevents approximately 0.06 to 0.1 homicides per year, a metric the post used to argue that increasing police staffing can reduce violent crime and support economic recovery.
Public safety officials, elected leaders and community groups often debate the balance between policing strategies, community investment and social services as tools to lower violent crime. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
