‘We’re not going to change our pursuit policy,’ Pearl mayor says

for the reason before going into the weekend about yesterday’s incident and mm from *** different perspective, Alright. Or how let me say this. How are policy is and how we address crime. So first of all, thoughts and prayers go out to the gentleman passed away yesterday. Very sad. Also make sure that we placed the blame to be placed Braden andrews, right? This is senseless. Our officers don’t like to pursue people. It’s scary. You go 100 miles an hour because of the fact that you’re trying to address the situation where somebody’s violated law. They’re within states that policy. So it’s not *** situation where it’s fine. All right. I want to touch on this as well. People that do not pull over the police officer activates the lights. It’s not your system, your lawn by citizens. It’s going to work every day. It’s usually somebody that has something to hide. I want to talk about this for there’s an overwhelming majority of information that displays the traffic stops produce um results in apprehending pardon, criminals are criminals with lengthy histories which were far more far more serious than just *** traffic ticket. And this is *** hard topic, but *** lot of times what we’ve encountered from addressing criminals, they feel like if they get to that city limits and they’re safe. Well, we have duty and were stored and I would say the week, it’s because I’m *** former police officer to, I’ve been there and seen these things. Um, but that’s not what needs to be happening here. We could be working together with these cities and we’d be on the same page when it comes to fighting crime. Um something that I want to talk about as well as just some objective data, I think the media needs to about Mr. Andrews. Andrews is currently out of felony bond from the local police department for possession with intent to sell narcotics while possession of *** firearm, possession of *** stolen firearm. Also. Andrews as *** suspect in *** capital murder case, kidnapping and murder and Jackson being handled by the house county D. ***. S. Office Braden Andrews was charged in 2021 for armed robbery and shooting into *** vehicle in Hinds County. He was arrested by Police department for D. U. I. And in Thursday’s pursuit for officers found *** 30 round extended magazine in his car that he tried to hide when he abandoned when he went behind an abandoned house in the vehicle. So Marilyn released *** statement saying their often tragic Outcomes like this one for minor traffic stop. And we have experienced it before. This fella wasn’t *** modern traffic stop. He was *** hard and friends that are guys were taking an approach to trying to apprehend because he had violated the law and again violated state status and he was, they were within your policy. The emphasis here is we need to be concentrating on these criminals instead of these police officers doing their job each and every day and quite frankly I’m sick I’m sick of living in an environment where there’s no consequences for people that buy that the law. And if we’re going to have safe areas, that’s how we have to treat these situations. There shouldn’t be these things as far as the mindset, no consequences when you break the law, it really repulsive. So some additional information here. This isn’t that not exactly. But I’m just gonna say 99% of people pull over for *** traffic stop. Boys that run usually have sinister reasons. I eat Braden andrews. I just read you what he’s capable of what he’s been convicted of. Our focus must be condemned. The actions of people like this, like brain injuries and again, not our police officers. They put innocent people’s lives at risk, just like Mhm. And from the standpoint of our police officers carrying out their duty and again, they took oath it would be irresponsible for us. I can’t get some small instructions here. It would be irresponsible of us not to pursue. I’ll tell you why number one in that situation, we allow somebody like this to go back from the street and just be *** reoccurring situation where you have more victims out there and I think the media has *** copy of the crimes that he’s been convicted of. And so he’s actually *** suspect occurring. It’s not fair for our citizens and my job was to protect Pearl. And it’s not fair for Jackson citizens either. So we’re going to make sure that we do what we need to do within the scope of the law and within our policy and procedures, two apprehend people like brand injuries and get them off the street again. I want to reiterate the fact that Braden Andrews was the person that fought, not our police officers. He’s the one that hit mail carrier truck, not our police off. Mhm. I’ll answer any questions at this time. I’ll make sure before we went to the weekend that I get *** perspective of how we operate and how we’re going to continue to operate. We’re gonna hold up for our citizens over here and I’m gonna stand behind our police department what they do each and every day because they put their life on the line, more so than ever in the history of the United States police officers coming under attack and this mayor right here, as long as I’m in this office, we’re gonna fund them, we’re gonna give them training, we’re gonna give them the equipment they need so they can do their job and protect our people and help protect people of other citizens. Sort any questions at this time. What was thursday’s initial traffic stop? Well, let me, let me say this as far as the investigation itself, I’m not gonna get into that, that’s under investigation. These are sentiments that I want to make sure that people understand of how we approach and while we think the way we do, because we know that we can put people behind bars that don’t need to be on the streets every day that are victimizing innocent people. So I’m sorry. I can’t talk specifically to the investigation. Did you guys know Andrew’s criminal history prior to chasing him or did you guys chase him with the assumption that no. So there was *** violation obviously. And then we do find out this information. What my intention here is to show the correlation between traffic stops and apprehending hardened criminals. If you let them go, they will continue to do what they do and victimize people. So this was data that we verified prior to going into the press conference, but it’s an issue that we depend upon and police one on one saying, hey, you gotta make traffic stops. Some of the most infamous murderers and criminals have been apprehended through traffic stops. We did not, we did not, but again, this is the result of doing your job every day. Mayor. Can you just explain what is the city’s policy? Yeah, we do have, we’re in step with 97 code. I’m not gonna be able to quote it here, but uh, felony fleeing, yes, we do our policy, our city policy or police department policy. We do pursue. We do pursue and, and, and then their future just to take it to another level. Uh, we are in the process of ordering, ordering the equipment to place on our vehicles and where to pit people and that way we don’t have as many pursuits. I think that’s gonna be some tool that our police officers are going to be able to use in order for to have some of these things. But we’re gonna equip some of our cars out with that and we’re gonna teach our guys properly. We’ve already sent *** guy to instructor school and he’s gonna be out there teaching our other guys and they’re gonna be certified. Another tool in *** police officer’s tool belt in order to apprehend people keep our people safe. Follow up question. Uh Why did the police officer stopped once he got into *** neighborhood. We call we notified J. P. D. We notify J. P. D. Are dispatched it. We do every time we enter their city. I’m not I don’t know if there was officers that ended up responding just because they knew that we had *** situation within their city. Yes sir. The question I have is on all of these issues with individual who was being chased. Why will this? Now? I just answered that question. I just answered that question. I told you that when I was talking to this young lady that that’s why we pull people over and pursue is because we can prevent we can apprehend people like that that have *** long criminal history. So um from that standpoint traffic stops work. They get criminals off the street. You can see this list. You know, was it some homework that we put together? Yeah, but it was also to show the news media, this is what happens when you do your job and you get people off the street through traffic stops. Not every time it might be Uh mom going home and she just has *** citation for doing 40 and 25. But *** lot of times when people fail to yield to the blue lights, there’s something sinister that they’re holding back and this is just proof that that’s true. But you didn’t let this information out yesterday just said it was for speeding. That would be well worth putting out. There was found *** 30 round extended magazine in the car that was left behind. It’s because because we like to verify and confirm information before we put it out. I want to verify something before I talk to you guys. Do you guys feel partly responsible that *** poster postal worker is dead? I know you guys said that you know, part of it is to protect citizens and pearls citizens in Jackson. But when you walk down the street where the incident happened, people say they wish you guys wouldn’t have chased because they know their mailman who’s I didn’t get to deliver the mail yesterday. We didn’t kill their mailman Braden Andrews did he could have pulled over at any time. But he disobeyed the law. You guys don’t feel like, you know there’s compassion and like I said very saddened by the death. Yeah. No, I do not think that our police officers are responsible for that. Not one bit he could have pulled over prior to he couldn’t stop violating the law. There’s consequences. And look if you’re going to have real justice and really enforce your law and you’re gonna have to save communities, you gotta do that. Now. He could have pulled over on I 20 in Pearl Mississippi. That postman would have never been hit. Do you guys think it’s *** hazard to be in these high speed chases in residential areas where there’s Children, old people, you haven’t seen the speed of our officer officer that actually pursued his from South Jackson, he knows the streets so he was able to maneuver himself through the streets *** lot better than the crime. Got to trust the mayor. What do you say to the present in that neighborhood? Who saved? They told me yesterday. They feel like the parole officer should have stopped unless he got to Jackson because he was out of his jurisdiction. They could have gotten *** license plate number. There are other things that could have been done besides just what do you say to those present? I’m gonna say zero homicides in Pearl Mississippi 100 57 Jackson. That’s my answer. I don’t care. It’s part of enforcing crime as far as the force and crime is the same thing. We are not going to take *** lack like things will approach because of those reasons. Let me ask you this. You said you were from *** police officer. Is there something you’re officer could have done differently in that situation? No, again, he knew the road. He knew the streets much better than the guy that he was pursuing because he grew up in South Jackson. How fast were police officers going? That’s part of the investigation. So Under one Jackson he thinks the officer should be telling because he was operating outside and elected this. What do you say? I don’t care what Kenny Stokes thinks. Mhm Was there ever *** thought mayor that it was just too dangerous and to back off now our officers are trained. They understand if it gets to be his to *** situation. They understand when they back off. If it’s too congested or it’s in *** situation where they feel like, hey, look, this is not *** situation we need to continue to pursue. What was your reaction last night when you read the mayor state? I was surprised. I was surprised by that because you know what I’m saying that we are cordial and have worked together, work together on some other projects. And I just think that mm from the situation. It was disappointing because it automatically went to Pearl Police instead of Braden Andrews and I don’t believe that’s right now. That’s my conviction. And I think that from enforcing the law. So, I mean, some people don’t agree that way, but our cross that speak for themselves, Will you guys be taking another look at your guys policy when it comes to chasing people into other city limits? Or are you guys gonna stay with what now? What we’re hoping is that people will we’re not gonna change our pursuit policy. I’m not going to change that. Now, I’m telling you that when we start placing some of these guards on our cars and we implement pitting people will be keeping those people inside our city pitt and you’ll just have to pity as *** uh, not *** very intrusive maneuver where you can touch *** car, make the car spin out. Then you apprehend the person within your city instead of going on chases. And so we’re implementing that policy. Where can we find the current policy? Can we see like *** physical, This is this in writing? Is this? Well, you can contact our city clerk’s office about that. Um, you mentioned *** lot of people who run from the police run from sinister reasons. Have you ever thought about the recent social media history that Pearl police and the reputation they’ve gained from in the community regarding *** few issues that could make some people want not hesitant just to pro police, but policing in general. And the historical complications that may make people hesitant towards police. That may not be sinister. If you didn’t know the data, someone is already incriminated before they’ve been stopped. So let me ask you *** question. No, me answer my question. Let me talk. So you’re saying that due to the reputation, that I’m saying the reputation and the historical complications of policing and communities, has your department ever thought about ways that they can expand upon improving relations that contribute to some people being hesitant or not stopping for the police? I think that when people characterized police officers, they automatically think that they’re just guys are ladies that get out of the car. I want to take it, want to arrest somebody and that’s not typically true. Um, we had one of our police officers not too long ago worked, worked the case for one of our local residents. Yeah, knew that the guy was going through *** hard time. Moments later went to the store, bought him *** card and bought *** whole lot of things and then delivered to him. What am I saying is there’s *** human aspect of these things are guys tried to do us right And what people allow them to do. I tell them and I told the chief they go back to their training. If something gets out of hand, we try to treat people fair and right. From *** human perspective, I mean, we’re all made in God’s image. So you give the respect to the other person until sometimes things happen and you have to arrest somebody. You have to use with some of your tactics in order to take people into custody. But you know, I like to think that I’m not saying it happens all the time, but I feel like our folks really do treat people. People have bad days treat people fairly. My my rule of thumb was let’s take the Andy Griffith approach until you don’t you don’t let your allow me to. But there’s been several occasions outside of the scope of policing that our guys would and ladies would do things for people just out of the goodness of their heart. And it builds relationships. So we try to do that. And I think that we’ve done *** good job. Mayor Jackson residents we talked to they agreed. Andrews was in the wrong. They also say Pearl Police was also nobody’s just putting off the police. They’re saying he was in the wrong. So the police were crossing. I disagree with those citizens. I don’t wanna expand, I disagree. I don’t think pro police. I wasn’t wrong. We’ve spoken with the Mayor Jackson since it’s happened. No, I have not. But I do plan on talking to barely moving any additional questions just where they put down. Take *** tag number here. No. So the way you guys did it was we brought *** book and I think, I mean later on N. B. I. Has the investigation. It’s actually protocol is that they handle everything at this point. So we’re we can’t be involved. We we responded initially, called N. B. I. N, Lieutenant Colonel, Charles Haynes and his guys out there, and then we were released from the investigation. And then N. B. I took over at that the officer involved receiving, receiving the injuries, they feel he’s fine, and he’s still gainfully employed.

‘We’re not going to change our pursuit policy,’ Pearl mayor says

Jackson mayor says police pursuits from surrounding cities ‘do not make us safer’

Updated: 2:10 PM CDT Jul 22, 2022

Mayor Jake Windham said Pearl police “were not in the wrong” when they pursued a speeding vehicle that crashed into a Postal Service truck, killing a mail carrier.”Our officers do not like to pursue, but it is their job,” Windham said. “It’s important to understand that the people that run are not simply everyday folks looking to avoid a ticket. An overwhelming majority of them are criminals looking to avoid arrest for far more serious offenses than speeding.”Brandon Andrews, 20, of Flowood, was arrested after the crash that killed Brad Pennington, 32, a mail carrier since 2015. According to the city of Pearl, Andrews is out on bond for a felony charge in Flowood for allegedly selling narcotics while in possession of a firearm and a stolen firearm. He is suspected of kidnapping and murder in Jackson and was charged in 2021 in Hinds County in connection with an armed robbery and shooting into a vehicle. Windham, a former police officer, said officers did not know of Andrews’ criminal history when they tried to pull him over on Thursday. “The reason we pull over and pursue is because they’re people like that,” Windham said. “There’s something sinister that they’re holding back, and this is proof that it’s true.”Windham also responded to a statement released Thursday by Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba. “According to a media release from the city of Pearl, the pursuit began after the suspect failed to pull over for a traffic stop,” Lumumba said in the statement. “I want to reiterate that police pursuits that enter our city from multiple jurisdictions do not make us safer. There are often tragic outcomes like this one for minor traffic stops, and we have experienced it before. What often isn’t considered is the effect these pursuits have on innocent bystanders, and it is something we believe needs to be changed.” Lumumba went on to say the city is not “anti-pursuit,” but is against police pursuits for minor violations that he said can end with tragic consequences.”Not once did Mayor Lumumba condemn Brandon Andrews for running from the police for breaking the law or causing the death of the postal employee. That is unacceptable. His only blame was on the Pearl police,” Windham said.Ward 3 City Councilman Kenneth Stokes has been a longtime critic of police pursuits into Jackson. Stokes called a news conference Thursday, shortly after the incident was reported.”I’m asking for the president of the council to schedule a meeting with the surrounding cities and towns to see if we can get a win-win to stop the chasing in Jackson. It’s important, if we have lost a government employee, that we do everything we can to stop this,” Stokes said.”I don’t care what Kenny Stokes thinks,” Windham said when asked about Stokes’ comments.Windham said he hasn’t spoken to Lumumba about the pursuit but plans to.

JACKSON, Miss. —

Mayor Jake Windham said Pearl police “were not in the wrong” when they pursued a speeding vehicle that crashed into a Postal Service truck, killing a mail carrier.

“Our officers do not like to pursue, but it is their job,” Windham said. “It’s important to understand that the people that run are not simply everyday folks looking to avoid a ticket. An overwhelming majority of them are criminals looking to avoid arrest for far more serious offenses than speeding.”

Brandon Andrews, 20, of Flowood, was arrested after the crash that killed Brad Pennington, 32, a mail carrier since 2015.

According to the city of Pearl, Andrews is out on bond for a felony charge in Flowood for allegedly selling narcotics while in possession of a firearm and a stolen firearm. He is suspected of kidnapping and murder in Jackson and was charged in 2021 in Hinds County in connection with an armed robbery and shooting into a vehicle.

Windham, a former police officer, said officers did not know of Andrews’ criminal history when they tried to pull him over on Thursday.

“The reason we pull over and pursue is because they’re people like that,” Windham said. “There’s something sinister that they’re holding back, and this is proof that it’s true.”

Windham also responded to a statement released Thursday by Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba.

“According to a media release from the city of Pearl, the pursuit began after the suspect failed to pull over for a traffic stop,” Lumumba said in the statement. “I want to reiterate that police pursuits that enter our city from multiple jurisdictions do not make us safer. There are often tragic outcomes like this one for minor traffic stops, and we have experienced it before. What often isn’t considered is the effect these pursuits have on innocent bystanders, and it is something we believe needs to be changed.”

Lumumba went on to say the city is not “anti-pursuit,” but is against police pursuits for minor violations that he said can end with tragic consequences.

“Not once did Mayor Lumumba condemn Brandon Andrews for running from the police for breaking the law or causing the death of the postal employee. That is unacceptable. His only blame was on the Pearl police,” Windham said.

Ward 3 City Councilman Kenneth Stokes has been a longtime critic of police pursuits into Jackson. Stokes called a news conference Thursday, shortly after the incident was reported.

“I’m asking for the president of the council to schedule a meeting with the surrounding cities and towns to see if we can get a win-win to stop the chasing in Jackson. It’s important, if we have lost a government employee, that we do everything we can to stop this,” Stokes said.

“I don’t care what Kenny Stokes thinks,” Windham said when asked about Stokes’ comments.

Windham said he hasn’t spoken to Lumumba about the pursuit but plans to.