7. MS - Jackson mayor to set curfew on homeless

July 13, 2006

The Clarion-Ledger

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton said today he’s planning to amend the city’s emergency proclamation to include a 10 p.m. curfew on the homeless, beginning Friday.

Melton said he would instruct police to pick up vagrants who are out after 10 p.m. and take them to Champion Gymnasium at Lynch and Hattiesburg streets.

Melton said he’s doing this to address crimes involving homeless people.

Today’s Clarion-Ledger reported that some businesses are moving out the city because of problems with the homeless people.

During an 11 a.m. news conference at City Hall, the mayor made the announcement. Melton did not take any questions from the media. Melton also did not say how much it would cost or how much manpower would be needed to transfer homeless people to the gymnasium.

On June 22, Melton installed a state of emergency intended to curb juvenile crime. Since then, he has extended it four times.