Hakim Crampton says he doesn't necessarily trust police.
"When police officers approach us in a way that is fearful, disrespectful, that really does help fuel the tensions between us," Crampton said. "So our police department has to start with bettering their relationship with citizens."
He says he knows the community and police have to work together, that the community has a part to play in making that communication and relationship better, and together the two can solve problems like violence and crime.
"It's the police coming together with the community, and then the community now having that opportunity to open up to police because that's where it's broken," Crampton said. "We're not interested in helping the police."
He says Wednesday night's meeting between police and the public was a good event, and that it shows the police are interested in working with the community.
Jackson Police Chief Matthew Heins says he wanted to fix some of that broken communication through that public meeting. "It's important to be available to the community, so that we get feedback on their concerns, questions, problems, so we hear firsthand what they want us to focus on," Heins said.
Heins says he also wanted to address rumors about recent drive-by shootings, one of which left four people injured. Police have not been able to make any arrests on that shooting.
"We can't do this by ourselves, we absolutely need the community's help," Heins said, asking for people to come forward with any information related to crimes. "That feedback is vital for us to make these cases."
The Chief says he will definitely have more community meetings and more conversations with the public.
