WITH MERIDIAN SHOOTINGS ON THE RISE, WE SPEAK WITH MAYOR JIMMIE SMITH.

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THERE WERE SEVERAL SHOOTINGS IN MERIDIAN LAST WEEK, AND THAT BEGS THE QUESTION OF WHY. TWIN STATES NEWS DANNY TODD TRIES TO GET THE ANSWERS TO THIS QUESTION.

With shootings becoming a constant here in the Queen City, we speak with the mayor and see his thoughts on what's going on and how they're combating it. He's also hopeful to look toward to the positive things happening here in Meridian.

Jimmie Smith- Meridian Mayor says "From the mayor's perspective. I'm really disgusted about the shootings all across Meridian."

Mayor Jimmie Smith says crime is on the rise all over the world, and they are doing everything in their power to make sure to combat this, but they also need the help of the community also.

Jimmie Smith says "it's a problem that we have and it's just not a police problem, it’s a community problem. Part of what I understand is happening is that we have a lot of citizens out there that know who some of these people are and they won't report it."

Mayor Smith says when people withhold valuable information it does a disservice to the efforts of the police department. He says he knows everyone is tired of hearing it, but they are about a third of the way staffed within the police department, and although they are low in numbers they are doing all they can to create the best environment for the city of Meridian.

Jimmie Smith says "We are rebuilding the police department. We are trying to make sure that we have good police. And it's going to take us some time. But we're doing every effort we can to fight crime as best as we can with the police that we have."

Mayor Smith says the numbers speak for themselves. Crime is happening, but there is also still a lot of good going on within the city of Meridian.

Jimmie Smith says "I think it's important that we look at the good, that’s in Meridian, we are doing very good on economic development and we're having functions downtown every weekend, just about it."

Mayor Smith says he thinks the city of Meridian is poised for a prosperous future, and they are on track to achieve a lot of their goals in the future.

Danny Todd, Twin States News, Meridian.