When people ask me where I’m from, I say, “Jackson” and be sure to clarify that I mean Jackson, the Jacktown, not Pearl, Madison, Brandon, or what have you. Nine times out of 10 people respond with something like, “But isn’t that a dangerous area?” or some sarcastic remark like, “Don’t walk around without a weapon.” That is one sure way to get under my skin in a split second. I know Jackson isn’t the safest city on the planet-- I grew up there. But it’s not the most dangerous place either. This Jacksonian is tired of people from different places hating on a city they rarely visit and don’t really know a thing about. It’s like passing judgement on someone you don’t know. It’s not right and you probably have no idea what you’re talking about.

When people ask me if Jackson isn’t a safe area, my response is, “Kind of.” Safety is relative to where you are in the city; natives know there are certain areas you don’t visit after dark, especially alone, and that there are plenty of areas that are safe, good areas of town. That may come as a shock to some but there are plenty of places within the Jackson city limits that are fun, safe places to be. It’s no different than any other city. When I visit New Orleans, another city known for its crime, I know there are areas to stay away from. I have no doubt it is the same way in other big cities, like New York or Chicago.

Part of the reason I don’t feel in danger when I’m home is because it is home. We generally think of our homes as safe places, not the big, scary city that’s going to eat you. That being said, growing up in a city teaches you how to be safe and always be aware of your surroundings, which is something I feel you should learn to do anyway. There are times I’m out and about running errands by myself and start to feel a little suspicious. That’s usually when I start being extra alert and aware of who and what is around me. I’ve had my fair share of encounters with sketchy individuals but nothing harmful or worth reporting. However, I have heard stories from others who have been victims of crimes and know that it could happen to me at any time.

Dealing with crime isn’t easy, especially in big cities with crimes of different natures and causes. But the Jackson Police Department, has made good progress in decreasing violent crimes in the past couple of years; they’ve initiated several programs that have helped decrease violent crime. In addition, JPD officers have been working side by side with other federal officers to get better training. These programs have helped the number of violent crimes go down but the number of robberies, carjackings, and other crimes has gone up. I guess you win some and you lose some. Regardless, progress is progress.

It’s also unfair to call Jackson the most violent or crime-ridden city when you look at what it’s being compared to:

Jackson is the largest of ten big cities in the state of Mississippi among places like Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Southaven, and Tupelo. Only seven of the ten cities sent in data to be analyzed and charted in 2014. To compare a larger city with a larger population to smaller towns and cities, some of which do not send in data, skews the facts. Again, this whole issue is relative to what you compare it to.

These days, it's so easy to latch onto a statistic and not really look at all the other data and factors that go into what makes up that statistic. Many of us are very quick to believe lots of the things we read on the internet or hear in passing, not realizing that its source may not be credible. Unfortunately, many media sources love to blow up information like this and make mountains out of molehills, not telling you the entire story. As citizens, we need to check our facts and do our research before we believe what we read or at least approach headlines with a curiosity and sense of skepticism.

For that reason and others, issues like Jackson's crime rate are blown out of proportion, giving outsiders a completely inaccurate view of what my home city is like. It's really pretty great, besides the politicians that keep making bogus decisions. Maybe if we focused less energy on people who are different and preserving a heritage that's already preserved, we could continue to fight crime. That's just a shot in the dark though.

Jackson is a city with so much life, character, and history, it stings to hear people talk negatively about it. It's a great place to try to start a business, grab a bite to eat, shop, have a night on the town, or to enjoy nature in. The best part is, it keeps growing; the young people and entrepreneurs who come to the city are aiming to catch our state's capital up with others, breathing a new, young life into the city. It's working pretty well in my opinion.

Before you judge Jackson and decide not to go there because it's so dangerous, give it a chance first. There are tons of museums, plays, concerts, and what have you to check out. Plus, it's just a beautiful city. Of course, you should exercise caution just like you would any normal day of the week, but you don't need an armored vehicle to stay safe. Your car may need some extra help with the pot holes, but you'll be just fine.