GREENVILLE, Miss.–The illegal guns have to go, says Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons, after a special public safety meeting called Monday. Greenville had two shootings Friday night, one of which was fatal.
“It is imperative that we get rid of guns to decrease gun violence throughout the community. Enough is enough!” said Simmons in a prepared statement, issued after the meeting, which included a discussion about what the city is already doing to stop violence and what is planned.
“There have been too many instances of gun violence. We must continue to make community collective efforts to find solutions to these careless, and senseless acts of violence taking place in the community. Put away your guns and parents know where your children are. If you are carrying illegal guns and using them for violence against others, then you are the problem,” said Simmons.
The recent pay raises for police were part of that discussion, along with talk about how they plan to recruit and retain officers.
They also talked about shoring up the police department’s non-lethal weapons, like pepper balls and sting grenades.
Simmons encouraged parents to take responsibility for their children, to know where they are and what they are doing.
Friday’s murder victim was Jarrien King, 20, killed on St. Mary’s Circle, his body found in the street. No arrests have been announced in the killing. Another man was shot on East Reef Rd. He is 19 years old.
