Pubdate: Fri, 1 Mar 2002 Source: Clarksdale Press Register (MS) Copyright: 2002, Clarksdale Press Register Contact: http://www.pressregister.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1656 Author: James Jennings US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO HELP WITH DRUG, GUN CONVICTIONS In an effort to more effectively prosecute gun and drug crimes, the U.S. attorney's office has "adopted" the city of Clarksdale. The city has agreed to turn over prosecution of drug and gun crimes to the U.S. attorney's office. "Our goal is to have an immediate effect on the crime rate," said Police Chief Steve Bingham. "We are going to target pistol-packing, drug-toting bad guys." The joint effort is part of a nationwide program called Project Safe Neighborhoods, with an aim to combat gun violence. "It is a multi-agency task force of local, state and federal officers on the enforcement side, with significant community outreach all designed to combat gun violence," said Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marshall Alexander. "We are putting special emphasis on Clarksdale and the surrounding area." Bingham said he believes the assistance from the U.S. attorney will help reduce the crime rate and raise the conviction rate. A federal jury is made up of selected jurors from around the state, not just in this community. A Coahoma County jury was dismissed just last week amid rumors of jury intimidation. Also, federal charges bring stiffer penalties. "A convicted felon caught with a gun can get up to 30 years, and that's in addition to any other charges," Bingham said. This is part of an overall plan to get criminals off the streets and make the city a safer place, according to Bingham. "Right now, the bad guys are not afraid of the Clarksdale Police Department-they have no respect for us," he said. "We want to make them fear the Clarksdale Police Department, not physically, but with our commitment to putting them away. "I want people to be able to sit out on their porch and watch a sunset without having to worry about a bullet with no name on it coming for them." - --- MAP posted-by: Alex