Jackson’s homicide rate continues to soar, with the city bringing in its 55th homicide of the year following the death of 12-year-old Adrian McDougles on Thursday.
One day after McDougles’ death, Jackson City Councilman Aaron Banks announced that he may have a solution to lower the number of gun crimes committed by minors in Jackson.
Banks referred back to a city ordinance that he wrote in June 2019, requiring that parents or guardians of children who commit a crime with a handgun are held responsible.
For the first offense, the parent or guardian must serve 24 hours in the county jail and pay a $500 fine. If the offense occurs the second time, the individual must serve 48 hours in the county jail and pay a $1,500 fine. On the third and following offenses, the person must serve 72 hours in the county jail and pay a $2,500 fine.
The ordinance will be discussed during Tuesday night’s city council meeting with members of the Public Safety/Park and Environment Committee at the Greater Bethlehem Temple Church.
In addition to placing fines and community service hours on parents and guardians, the city council will discuss the allocation of $2.4 million for city surveillance, aggressive policing plans, and intentional intervention and planned engagement in elementary schools.
