DuPree isn't aware of appartment associations crime problem

[beggingforrelief]

Mayor unaware of apartment owners' concerns


Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree said he was unaware of any concerns among apartment owners that police response time was a problem, but he said he and Police Chief David Wynn have an open door policy to hear concerns.
I guess he was out of town and unavailable for comment, again!

[JB2379]

Well, Dupree's statement really doesn't surprise me. :smt102

[Conveyor Belt]

Well, now that they know about it, what are they going to do?

Why the F*** do we keep having to ask the question, "Mayor, Police Chief, how are you going to REACT to this problem?" A police force should not have to REACT, they should be PROactive!

[Maggie-Doodle]

Actually. I think both the mayor and the chief are full of S**T! People all over town have been complaining for months, NO YEARS now that police response was slow if at all...IT HASN"T MADE ANY DIFFERENCE!!! What difference should it make if it is apartment dwellers or home owners who are having the problems.
The administration hasn't made an attempt to this point to change things and I doubt they will until they are made to do so by the court or worst yet, when more inocent citizens are hurt seriously or murdered for no reason and there is a mutiny by the citizens!

[daisy]

Open door policy! Yea they must support the criminals opening peoples doors by breaking and entering. I thought at first they meant their doors. I got mixed up and thought Dupree and Wynn meant their office doors. OOOh, city hall was broken into. OOOpening doors.

No, we had no communication during Katrina and thank goodness for officers from other cities and states.

What that open door thing means is don't blame me. I'm sitting here to help you with your problems. It's up to you. Well, a lot of good an open door will do when you need more officers to be on HPd. But we have 102.

Well, if he's unaware maybe he should read the crime reports from his officers or go riding with them but didn't he say he wouldn't put on a flak jacket? Not his style.


geez, i,ve never heard so much bull and don't care to help you in a while.

[pharmcop]

He does have an open door policy. Open the door and get out if you don't like my dictatorship. Johnny Dupree doesn't know about it because he was too busy getting degrees and kissing Ken Fairley's butt. Besides, if either one really cared about Hattiesburg, they would let the police do their jobs and realize that policing means that at some point the officers will recieve complaints. The catch is, most complaints are bogus because the people complaining are the ones that broke the law and got caught. They are mad and want the officer to get in trouble for doing his/her job. People need to read the law before they try to justify their moronic actions. The admin needs to stop allowing people to file base-less complaints and compliment the officers on being able to operate with a skeleton crew. The officers need to do what they were trained to do.

[XC9]

I have always patroled my own apartment complex up until this last couple of years. It isn't worth it now. Most tenants will NOT call the police or press charges on anyone. On domestics I use to threaten one of the participants that I will press d.c., disturbing the peace etc. if one won't press against the other. This used to work. Now h.p.d. doesn't believe in this-it's not up to me. We used to have a force that would stand behind me on matters like this and also appreciated that I patroled my own property. For about 10 years straight I can remember having to call the police 3 times in that whole period. Mayor Morgan even understood this and appreciated it. Even many older people (50 and up) turn their back if they see something suspicious. One tenant called me last year and said his vehicle was broken into and wanted to know what I was going to do about it. DANG! When I ask if he reported it he said no he didn't want to call the police. Yet he wanted me to do something. I informed him after he said that, that I wouldn't call in if I did see somebody break into his car from that moment on. One guy tells me he seen someone trying to get into vehicles late one night. I ask him if he called the police-duh-of course not. Heck, why do I want to put myself in danger cause I know if they see someone shoot me they would hide. These are grown men not school children. I protect mine and mine only now.

[Conveyor Belt]

I cannot understand this mentality of not wanting to get someone in trouble with the police. I do not, do not, do not understand it. The people who hold this thought complain and complain, and they will recieve stolen property and buy stuff from crackheads, and not call the police. Wrong is wrong, right is right, and this society is getting worse by the day.

[XC9]

I cannot understand this mentality of not wanting to get someone in trouble with the police. I do not, do not, do not understand it. The people who hold this thought complain and complain, and they will recieve stolen property and buy stuff from crackheads, and not call the police. Wrong is wrong, right is right, and this society is getting worse by the day.

People are scared to get involved anymore, although I do not agree with it either. Buy a gun if you don't have one and get involved and then be ready to protect yourself. Quite simple and self-respecting if you ask me.:smt038

[daisy]

Well, if your car is broken into or stolen and you report to your car insurance agent wouldn"t you need a police report? Why would someone be afraid to stand up for themselves by calling the police to file a report? The criminal wasn't afraid to violate you. Isn't that above attitude of not reporting adding to the problem? I don't think I've ever criticized police on the web site. I,ve spoken against Dupree, Wynn and others for tying the police dep't up in the way they run it and run off some of our good officers.

We're all frustrated, but not at the individual officers. I can't imagine what they have to go through--watching out for others and also having to watch administration who will take every complaint and criticism w/o looking at the source and motives behind it.:smt119 :smt119 :smt119

[nooskye]

It's The End Of The World As We Know It ....

(I'd put the lil musical note ... but we don't have one??)


One would think that with everything that is going on ... we could find a way to recall Mayor DuPree ... Overthrow Police Cheif Wynn ... and retake our city ... ??? ... I know it isn't an easy feat ... but as many political supporters as there are on here ... couldn't we come up with at least one solid idea???

I'm a Lamar Co. Resident ... so, I know that I don't have much say in this ... but like it's been said, many times ... I'm effected by the City of Hattiesburg as well ... How far can they push us before we snap like an old oak tree in the mist of Katrina??? And we, by default, give the world a second New Orleans?? I moved back from a big city to enjoy Hattiesburg and the way of life here ... I'm seriously considering going back ... at least there, even as large an area it is, I know the police will be there when I need them. Regardless. And the Mayor knows how to work with his people and his law enforcement / emergency management teams ... for the greater good of the CITY ... It can be done, folks ... It can be done.

[daisy]

I read today on front page of paper where Dupree was upset the aparment owners didn't come to him 1st with the incident so he could look into it and see. He then went to say since the apartments are 100% full the tenants must feel safe. What a nice way of not taking the apartment owners complaints and concerns seriously. Well, I wonder if Dupree and Wynn felt safe before cith hall was broken into. I heard wynn turned down an offer of a burglar alarm for the building because he had officers going down that alley all the time.

I know I trusted and felt safe giving out my personal info for voter registration when I signed up at city hall. My mother in a small town couldn't believe city hall had no burglar alarms or security of any type.

She worries about this city after that. She has worked for private industry, state gov't, hospitals and she said some type of thinking or planning was not in play here. She said they weren't acting prudently safeguarding the city's records.

Is that the way he dupre does when he gets criticism--try to put it on the criticizer. Has he ever said? wWWWWWEEEEEE have a problem how can WWWWEEe solve it?

[Janedoe]

GUYS i CAN TELL YOU FROM 1ST HAND EXPERIENCE THAT APARTMENT LIFE IN HBURG HAS GONE GHETTO. I was paying over $700 a month to rent in what use to be one of the nicest apartment complexes in Hburg.In the course of 2 years I felt my sense of security dwindle to nothing. My car was broken into. I had things stolen. It's funny how quickly things can take a turn for the worst. Now if you wanna rent an apartment you better go out...way out...98 & pay a wad of cash each month 'cause in the burg you can't live anywhere for 2 years or more without having to move to get away from the chaos. How many of you have heard of Holly Court Apartments on N. 28th Ave. I think it is comprised mostly of drug dealers. You can ride by & watch them do business anytime of day. Oh, & dont forget the darn Roach Motel across from Family Dollar & Strick's on 7th. My God...I am just a citizen & I know instinctivley where I'd park my car were I a cop.

[Bee Line]

GUYS i CAN TELL YOU FROM 1ST HAND EXPERIENCE THAT APARTMENT LIFE IN HBURG HAS GONE GHETTO. I was paying over $700 a month to rent in what use to be one of the nicest apartment complexes in Hburg.In the course of 2 years I felt my sense of security dwindle to nothing. My car was broken into. I had things stolen. It's funny how quickly things can take a turn for the worst. Now if you wanna rent an apartment you better go out...way out...98 & pay a wad of cash each month 'cause in the burg you can't live anywhere for 2 years or more without having to move to get away from the chaos. How many of you have heard of Holly Court Apartments on N. 28th Ave. I think it is comprised mostly of drug dealers. You can ride by & watch them do business anytime of day. Oh, & dont forget the darn Roach Motel across from Family Dollar & Strick's on 7th. My God...I am just a citizen & I know instinctivley where I'd park my car were I a cop. Now! Now!! You can't interfere with COMMERCE!!!!!

[Bee Line]

Mayor unaware of apartment owners' concerns


Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree said he was unaware of any concerns among apartment owners that police response time was a problem, but he said he and Police Chief David Wynn have an open door policy to hear concerns.
I guess he was out of town and unavailable for comment, again! Dupree is unaware of anything!!!!!!!!!!!

[Maggie-Doodle]

"Dupree, who had not seen the letter dated July 12 that was to be mailed to his office, said he wished the apartment association had come to him directly with concerns before releasing the letter publicly."
"They started by contacting the administration and we havn't had any calls from them" he said. "They need to come to us if they are concerned."

His logic doesn't make any sense to me...they did go to him, as have many citizens over the last few years and nothing has been done to this point. If the citizens took it to the administration who is he talking about in the first place....I must be over looking something in his statement! It is logical to me if you go through the chain of command you would first contact someone at the p.d. if they don't give you help then go to the mayor....Mayor Dupree acts soooo surprised people are having problems whether it be apartment dwellers or homeowners! Has he had his head stuck in the sand? I reckon it is the fact he is never in the Burg to know what is going on! Maybe if he would BE mayor instead of in name only he might would know what is going on! I suppose he wanted the apartment people to come to him FIRST so their complaints who never be known to the public...

[ACEsmom]

Dupree must be an idiot. How many people were displaced by Katrina into campers??? Now FEMA is coming in with monthly requalification checks to make sure there are NO permenant alternatives. Ours is tomorrow. We know they will tell us we have to move, so where do we go??? To an overpriced apartment. But what are our options??? Maybe a tent at Little Black Creek??? Of coarse there is 100% occupancy - FEMA wants their campers back because they're getting them ready for the next hurricane. Where has Dupree been the past year - because if he'd have been here he'd know why there is 100% occupancy.

[wilebill]

DuPree, however, said he believes high occupancy rates indicate renters still feel secure living in the city.
"If they're near 100 percent occupancy, it says people do feel safe," he said.

That is about as warped a sense of logic as I've seen in awhile. That's like saying that nobody should have complained or sued about all those faulty Firestone tires. Or all the faulty drugs that people thought were safe but wound up causing heart defects or other problems.

There are some things that people ought to be able to take for granted. One is that a city's police department is there to protect its citizens, but more importantly, that the people in charge of the police department are there to insure that it performs its duty.

When anyone moves into a city it should be a given that there is some degree of safety there and that you can expect police protection. It should also be a given that the police department is not hampered by incompetent leadership. Using the "near 100% occupancy rate" as an endorsement of his and Wynn's policies is about as disingenious as it gets.

The near 100% occupancy rate means that people still want to live here. It's up to the mayor to see that he puts the right people in the right place at the right time to ensure that those people still want to live here next year, too.

[ynotme297]

well we are building more and more appartments, so they will fill up with whomever and the cycles continue. more people-less police=lower crime rates. sounds like a winner for the downtown bunch. all you gotta do is be sure and write them a letter and everything will be ok.

[daisy]

Anyone remember what Melvin Mack in Laurel did when he heard of kids firing shots downtown? He got in his car to see for himself.. Either he's smarter or gives more of a hoot than our our mayor. Dupree's job evaluation will be up to us. In the meantime h e said he's not aware of problems so I think I'll start going to the council meetings and seeing how he takes care of me. I'll talk and let him know about my concerns so he's aware. Fussing on here is fine but in a way by not showing up I guess he can say, I thought DAISY didn"t care. I heard Fairley brings in a boatload of supporters. If i disappear after I speak please call the FBI, cold case,Randy Swan, Hattiesburg American, Attorney General, District attorney, Cooper Anderson or Billy McGee or Charlie Sherrill. I'll leave my points to someone. I know I'm being dramatic but aren't we all a little bit afraid to speak up for our rights or just show up and sit? I,m not hesitant at all in most situations--I guess this is the unknown. Is anyone else in my boat and feeling this? Well, come join me at a council meeting whenever they are. I'm probably talking to everyone that's going already. I,m probably just -------(unaware.)

[MSQueen]

daisy, since i live in petal, i guess i'm considered an "outsider" and people would say i "don't have a dog in this fight". yes, i am an "outsider" by virtue of the fact that i can't vote in the City of H'bg elections, but i DO "have a dog in this fight" due to the proximity of petal to the 'Burg and because i work there and sometimes even shop and/or dine in the 'Burg.

although i don't feel it's MY place to show up at the city council meetings or neighborhood meetings for H'bg, i feel that every1 on MH who is a registered voter SHOULD try to plan one specific night to ALL attend the SAME meeting and ALL OF U get your name put on the agenda for the meeting to be able to publicly speak and voice ur concerns. i think if every1 here planned this out so that each of u would ask a DIFFERENT question or speak of a different issue or concern, then all of these issues that we are constantly discussing on MH can OFFICIALLY be brought to the attention of the CITY OFFICIALS, and it will then be on record (in the minutes of the meeting) what all was discussed, and the Mayor CAN NO LONGER SAY "I WASN'T AWARE ...". and can't u just imagine that it would blow the Mayor's mind (and his master and his master's cronies) if 15 or 20 people each standing up voicing different concerns regarding their dissatisfaction with things in the city?!

i agree that there is power in #s, and i think it's time for those who feel strongly enough about their opinions and dissatisfactions to let them be known to those in the City who are supposed to be "representatives of the citizens of their community"! i also think that it will need to be done over and over again to show those in City Hall that u r SERIOUS and that u r not simply going to go lay down and be quiet! we know that the Un-Rev and his "bunch" believe in the power of #s, and if NOTHING ELSE, having a strong # of people with ur same beliefs and opinions might show some of those people that this is not simply one or two "disgruntled" people, but the community at large. also it will make it public so that the Mayor and the City officials will have to deal with those issues.

i would be glad to help with any of the things to be done prior to going to the meetings, i.e., emails, phone calls, setting up meetings, etc.

let me know what u think and if u think it might be worthwhile. i believe there comes a time when u have to STAND UP AND BE COUNTED FOR WHAT U BELIEVE IN, and if u truly believe that things r spiraling out of control in ur community and WILL NOT get any better without changes, it's that time. IMO...

true, nothing may be done about any of the issues that are brought up -- but they MOST CERTAINLY WON'T be dealt with if they AREN'T brought to the City's attention!

[gilgamesh]

I would be curious to see how many of the regular users of this forum are actually citizens of Hattiesburg. This isn't a criticism, but it seems that many times, the posts start with, I live in Petal or I am not a resident, but...
I don't know how to do it, but perhaps we could start one of those polls? I am, for the record, a Burgian.

[MSQueen]

gilga, QM started a thread/poll "Where Do You Live?" today which should help answer that question if people will reply/vote... :)

[hlra07]

I agree with Pharmcop 100%! The mayor and chief need to let the officers do the job they were trained to do.

[Leprechaun]

This is a fact, not hear say, this actually happened during my conversation with a cop. There was a 2 car accident in front of Inn on the Hill on 49 North just south of the convention center. Two mexicans rammed a man and pregnant lady broadside. Both cars appeared to be totaled. The man had severe lacerations on his face. The woman had tremendous pain in the abdomin area. Both of these injured parties were taken to the hospital. The two mexicans had no green cards or any other papers to indicate who they were. They spoke no english or so they indicated. They had no drivers license or auto insurance. I asked the officer if they would be taken to jail. Answer was no. He had been advised by superiors this was not a jailable offense. The Mexican driver was given a citation. I asked the officer about the fine being paid. He indicated the Mexicans would probaly never be heard of again.

[Bee Line]

This is a fact, not hear say, this actually happened during my conversation with a cop. There was a 2 car accident in front of Inn on the Hill on 49 North just south of the convention center. Two mexicans rammed a man and pregnant lady broadside. Both cars appeared to be totaled. The man had severe lacerations on his face. The woman had tremendous pain in the abdomin area. Both of these injured parties were taken to the hospital. The two mexicans had no green cards or any other papers to indicate who they were. They spoke no english or so they indicated. They had no drivers license or auto insurance. I asked the officer if they would be taken to jail. Answer was no. He had been advised by superiors this was not a jailable offense. The Mexican driver was given a citation. I asked the officer about the fine being paid. He indicated the Mexicans would probaly never be heard of again. Were these the same Mexicans than claimed a police officer robbed them? But couldn't remember where or when or which one?:)

[XC9]

well we are building more and more appartments, so they will fill up with whomever and the cycles continue. more people-less police=lower crime rates. sounds like a winner for the downtown bunch. all you gotta do is be sure and write them a letter and everything will be ok.

The downtown bunch say they feel safe. They should, the thugs and gangs are all now on the west side of highway 49. Mostly on 7th and running up 4th and Golf Course rd. going into Lamar County. Golf Course Road is becoming a ghetto. A Famous someone is building many ho houses for the mommas without the baby daddy. Ha, Baby daddy is right there making sure he is in on that free to minimal rent the momma gotta pay. The moose lodge lets the back of their building grow so high up that people are coming out of those woods to some a dealer place. It's pretty bad to have to watch them come and stay at this place for 5 minutes and leave and here comes another one out of the woods.this The police HAVE been clued in on this many times. Like for 6 years-nobody gives a yzxz! I worry about innocent people being scared seeing this and that they may get hurt in the midst of it all.

[XC9]

well we are building more and more appartments, so they will fill up with whomever and the cycles continue. more people-less police=lower crime rates. sounds like a winner for the downtown bunch. all you gotta do is be sure and write them a letter and everything will be ok.

The downtown bunch say they feel safe. They should, the thugs and gangs are all now on the west side of highway 49. Mostly on 7th and running up 4th and Golf Course rd. going into Lamar County. Golf Course Road is becoming a ghetto. A Famous someone is building many ho houses for the mommas without the baby daddy. Ha, Baby daddy is right there making sure he is in on that free to minimal rent the momma gotta pay. The moose lodge lets the back of their building grow so high up that people are coming out of those woods to some
dealers place. It's pretty bad to have to watch them come and stay at this place for 5 minutes and leave and here comes another one out of the woods. The police HAVE been clued in on this many times. Like for 6 years-nobody gives a yzxz! I worry about innocent people being scared seeing this and that they may get hurt in the midst of it all.

[XC9]

Sorry Y'all. Maybe it's worth a double read.

[Tully Mars]

I would be curious to see how many of the regular users of this forum are actually citizens of Hattiesburg. This isn't a criticism, but it seems that many times, the posts start with, I live in Petal or I am not a resident, but...
I don't know how to do it, but perhaps we could start one of those polls? I am, for the record, a Burgian.

Gilgamesh, I have said many times here that we are a region that is connected on many levels...economic, cultural, etc. What affects one part of the region, either positively or negatively affects the entire region. I think it is vitally important that input be provided from residents from all parts of the region, not just that component that happens to be within the Hattiesburg city limits. Now granted, those of us who don't live in Hattiesburg obiviously can't provide input through our votes but I am not aware that anyone checks the voter rolls against those who sign up to speak at the public forum portion of council meetings.

There are many who do not reside in Hattiesburg but own or operate businesses within the city that have a critical stake creating a positive and productive present and future for the city.

[Wayward]

Tully,

I tried to give you a rep point ... but I must have been too kind and generous in the past. Had to settle for a "Thanks." :)

You are right on point and actually beat me to the same type post. It's a regional thing and folks from Petal, other parts of Forrest County, Oak Grove, other parts of Lamar County, and an even larger economic circle have a strongly vested interest in success or failure in Hattiesburg.

I live in Lamar County, attend Hattiesburg council meetings, have spoken at council meetings, and regularly lobby some of the council persons. It's in my best interest to be involved. :smt006

[daisy]

MS queen, thank you for the offer of help. I appreciate that. Let me get my feet wet first by going to a council meeting and the agenda thing beforehand. I agree with you and forgot that some of that would be recorded in the minutes. I see your point @ hitting all the topics of concern but on the other hand if everyone said over and over my top concern-- the running of the police dept.,calling the leaving police officers racists and disgruntled was a little bit tacky. What is that slander or defamation of character? Also I'm concerned about the RUNNING OFF of the officers. We need seasoned police officers in some of those positions. I feel it will be hard to recruit many more to equalize others that may leave as long as Wynn is there. I think he's abused the trust of the people or I no longer have confidence in his ability to manage this department.

[MSQueen]

daisy, i'll be waiting to see what u think...

[maxim]

OK, lets review...

A near 100% apartment occupancy rate means that all is well with the world. Things are hunky-dory and peachy-keen.

What does a 100% + turnover rate in the past 5 years at HPD mean, then...

[Maggie-Doodle]

XC: As you probably already know, IF the officer shows up to a domestic and they see signs of abuse, THEY (the officer) are mandated by state law to make an arrest! IF they don't THEY are breaking the law.

[Leprechaun]

Bee Line, I have no info on whether these were the same mexicans, but if they were smart they would have left and thanked their lucky stars they were not being arrested.

[ynotme297]

maybe they should get the fire marshal and dhs involved b/c there are usually 8 to 10 mexicans living in one appartment.

[virusprotection]

Someone on this site seems to think they know what is ghetto. It's funny how folks in the closet like you make money off the ghetto. If it wasn't for the ghetto you couldn't feel so dignified with your country bumkin behind. You could be a red neck if . . . you moved from a trailer to a house and feel like apartments and Golf Course Road is ghetto. You may want to check out da hood and see whose imitating who!!!!!! Unlike the priviledge born with a silver spoon in their mouth, Mexicans, Blacks, Latinos have the same opportunity as anybody else to make it in this country. Legally or Illlegally!

[Bahlk]

virus, who are you referring to?

[fuzzis]

Someone on this site seems to think they know what is ghetto. It's funny how folks in the closet like you make money off the ghetto. If it wasn't for the ghetto you couldn't feel so dignified with your country bumkin behind. You could be a red neck if . . . you moved from a trailer to a house and feel like apartments and Golf Course Road is ghetto. You may want to check out da hood and see whose imitating who!!!!!! Unlike the priviledge born with a silver spoon in their mouth, Mexicans, Blacks, Latinos have the same opportunity as anybody else to make it in this country. Legally or Illlegally!

Let me pull out my secret decoder ring...

Looks like virus protection is up in arms because someone in this thread has proclaimed a new "ghetto" in Hattiesburg, and virus protection doesn't quite agree. On top of that, he seems to feel that those with privilege acquired that privilege due to profiteering from those who live in the ghetto. Fear not, though, those in the ghetto...regardless of race or immigration status...have the ability to usurp the man.

:smt102

The decoder ring is a little rusty. Been awhile since I had to translate student papers.

fuzzis

[Bahlk]

Thanks, my decoder ring got stolen in a robbery in Hattiesburg

[XC9]

My definition of ghetto is several propertys lined up the road whos yards are full of junk and wrecked cars.People hanging out in the streets drunk or drugged. Why no landscaping-just mowing would be sufficient. There is NO reason not to take care of and respect the property you live in and around. We are suppose to be civilized people not a bunch of animals. People making it in this country illegally is not right-but thanks for the insight into your way of thinking. I guess I forgot to add that I live by many different races and admire anyone here legally working to make their own way. I work hard too-BELIEVE ME! All people that are able have no reason not to be working now. There are a lot of help wanted signs posted around town. Please do not ever refer to me as a person who dislikes ANYONE due to their color. I look for sincerity and honesty over color, so THANK YOU!