Pubdate: Thu, 30 May 2002
Source: Delta Democrat Times (MS)
Copyright: 2002 Delta Democrat Times
Contact:  http://www.ddtonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2123
Author: Ray Morris

VIOLENT CRIME TROUBLES DELTA LAW ENFORCEMENT

CLEVELAND - Since the New Year, authorities in Bolivar and Washington 
counties say they have seen seven homicides and numerous violent crimes, 
including stabbings and beatings, and attempted kidnappings.

With violent crime on the apparent upswing in the usually safe, peaceful 
Mississippi Delta, members of the Bolivar County Sheriff's Department 
pondered the question, "Why is crime getting so bad?"

Delta law enforcement officials are aggressively looking at ways to reverse 
a troubling trend in violent crime.

However, Bolivar County Sheriff H.M. "Mack" Grimmett doesn't lay all the 
blame on parents, but pointed to a lack of parental control as a main 
factor in the proliferation of violent criminals.

"Parents can't wait until their child is 15 or 16 before they try and 
control them," Grimmett said Wednesday. "Nowadays, many parents are afraid 
of their children."

Meanwhile, Bolivar County Sheriff's Department Investigator Murray Roark 
pointed out that crime as a whole, from shootings to kidnappings, is on the 
rise. He cited insufficient morals as a reason for the increase in youthful 
offenders.

"I think it's getting to where kids are not being taught right from wrong," 
Roark said. "Kids just don't have any respect."

Gerald Wesley, another investigator with the Sheriff's Department, points 
to a sharp increase in drug use as a key element into violent crime. He 
said that during his 16-year career with the Sheriff's Department, he has 
seen a "75 percent" increase in drug presence and usage.

"I picked up a young boy (Tuesday night) who literally cussed me out," 
Wesley said. "It's everybody, not just one race that's doing it."

Grimmett agreed, saying a lack of respect for the criminals' parents, law 
enforcement and school officials are a prime reason why children turn to crime.

"Parents expect law enforcement and the school system to take care of the 
kids," Grimmett said. "Unless we - parents, churches and law enforcement - 
get involved, nothing is going to get better."

In the last month, Cleveland has seen two shootings, one resulting in the 
death of an 18-year-old Mound Bayou high school senior and the other 
leaving a Cleveland woman in critical condition.

In Greenville, there have been five reported homicides since January - four 
in the past two months.
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