Attorney General Merrick B. Garland addressed the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, expressing gratitude and recognition for their efforts in law enforcement.
Garland acknowledged the challenges faced by local law enforcement, saying, "You do the work, the most dangerous work, protecting people in Mississippi." He highlighted a recent incident where a sheriff's investigator was injured but is now recovering, emphasizing the dangers inherent in law enforcement roles.
Garland praised the U.S. Attorney’s Office for representing the Justice Department in Mississippi. "This U.S. Attorney’s Office is the face of the Justice Department here in the Southern District of Mississippi," he stated, commending their consistent performance.
The Attorney General referenced a strategy launched three-and-a-half years ago to combat violent crime through partnerships between federal, state, and local agencies. Recent FBI data shows an 11.6% drop in homicides last year and one of the lowest violent crime rates nationwide in 50 years. Further data from 88 cities indicates a continued decline in violent crime this year.
Despite these improvements, Garland noted that progress is uneven across communities and emphasized ongoing efforts to combat violent crime and trafficking activities.
He cited several successful operations conducted by this office:
- A guilty plea secured last month from a member of a drug-trafficking organization.
- Guilty pleas from five men involved in illegal firearms and explosives transactions.
- A 10-year sentence for an individual who fired at an officer during a high-speed chase.
Garland also discussed actions taken to maintain public trust when it has been violated by law enforcement officers. He referred to significant sentences handed down earlier this year against six Rankin County officers who violated civil rights.
To support public safety further, Jackson was added to the Justice Department's Violent Crime Initiative earlier this year. This initiative focuses on targeting gangs and other violent groups with enhanced resources and prosecutorial support.
Additionally, Garland announced nearly $300,000 awarded to enhance forensic science capabilities in Jackson and almost $900,000 under the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Program. These grants are part of over $29 million allocated this month to support various initiatives across Mississippi.
Concluding his remarks, Garland expressed pride in both the public servants within the U.S. Attorney’s Office and their partnerships with local law enforcement agencies: "Those partnerships are the essence of how we combat violent crime and protect our communities."
He thanked everyone present and looked forward to further discussions during their meeting.