Some of the "Best of the New South" recently had an auto burglary field day outside the Standard Life building in downtown Jackson.
In the early morning hours of November 8, 2011, while Standard Life residents slept, some Jackson animals were outside the building breaking into their vehicles.
Standard Life Flats-Jackson MS-Auto Burglaries
A total of 5 vehicles were burglarized. The modus operandi was the same for all five. The PoS(s) unceremoniously broke a window, rummaged through the contents and took anything they desired.
Even though these crimes occurred at night, these acts were fairly brazen. The vehicles were not parked in some dark and secluded parking lot. The vehicles were parked directly in front of the Standard Life building. [Note: 127 South Roach Street is the street address for Standard Life Flats. 203 East Pearl Street is approximately 30 yards from the main entrance to Standard Life].
The DJT sympathizes with the victims of these crimes. We know how it feels to come out in the morning and have the perception that a window has been broken out of your vehicle. We are well-familiar with the sinking feeling that comes with the perception that all your property has been stolen. Auto burglary is a particularly maddening crime. It's maddening not only because some S-O-B stole your stuff, but also because most auto burglaries are preventable. The Standard Life auto burglaries were certainly preventable, as the burglars announced their intention to commit these crimes 2 days earlier.
On November 6, 2011, just after 1:00 a.m., five (5) cars were perceived to be burglarized just around the corner at 105 East Capitol Street. These cars were parked on Capitol Street about a block from where the later Standard Life auto burglaries occurred.
Downtown Jackson MS Crime-Auto Burglaries-11-6-11
The break-ins on November 6 should have been a major red flag for those responsible for crime prevention in the area. Auto burglars have a tendency to hit the same area multiple times before moving on to other areas. The first time an auto burglar hits a particular area, his mission is not only to do a few jobs, but also to gather intelligence. "Professional" auto burglars are looking for police and security patrol patterns, as well as citizen traffic and activity in the area. If they are able to pull off their jobs without detection on the first visit (and there is not much heat), they will return to the area a short time later to hit it again.
An average downtown resident might reasonably presume that a burglar would not return to the same area only 2 days later to commit additional burglaries. It just doesn't seem logical. Therefore, no one expects them to return so soon. Auto burglars know citizens do not expect them to return, and that's precisely why they do it.
While this information is outside the common knowledge of the average citizen, it is well-known to those in the business of crime prevention. These same allegedly knowledgeable people sat on their asses and did nothing after the burglaries on November 6. As a result, the thieves returned 48 hours later for some more low hanging fruit. So who dropped the ball?
Standard Life Flats: The DJT is one of David Watkins' biggest fans, but the person or persons responsible for security operations at Standard Life sucks. [Note: We are assuming there is an employee dedicated specifically to security operations at the Watkins properties. If not, then there are bigger issues than these auto burglaries].
Standard Life's security director obviously took no measures to prevent the burglaries. The only question is whether he knew about the burglaries that occurred two nights earlier. If he did not know of the burglaries, then he's asleep at the switch when it comes to tracking crime around the facility. If he knew of the prior burglaries and did nothing, then he is recklessly lazy. If he knew of the burglaries and did not realize that he needed to do something, then he lacks the knowledge to work in security period.
Jackson Police Department: Before tearing off into the cops, we must make it clear that this is not the fault of patrol officers or their front-line supervisors. The failures in this case are far outside patrol officers' responsibilities. This is not a patrol problem, it is an investigation and intelligence problem. This problem can be laid squarely at the feet of the hopelessly inept JPD Detective Division. There are a few good detectives at JPD, but by and large, these are some of the most disorganized and unmotivated law enforcement officers we have encountered.
There is no excuse for not putting the area under surveillance by UCs for several days after the November 6 burglaries. Perhaps a bait car and a plan to take down the burglars when they strike would have been in order. But the so-called "detectives" did nothing proactive after the break-ins on November 6. As a result, the criminals came back to hit the jackpot 2 nights later.
Auto burglaries go unsolved in Jackson because JPD's detectives are not motivated to solve them. Investigating auto burglaries and apprehending the offenders requires taking immediate action. It also involves hard work and sleepless nights. Rather than effort, the detectives take a "Sh!t Happens" approach to auto burglaries. That attitude is why these people are still out there burglarizing other citizens' cars.
[Note: Of the few auto burglars that are caught, most are caught by attentive patrol officers who catch them in the act. If it weren't for patrol officers, no auto burglar would ever be arrested in Jackson.]
Jackson Free Press: The JFP failed by not mentoring, counseling and improving the self-esteem of the perpetrators so that they would stop stealing other people's stuff.
On a serious note, until we get dedicated, professional security directors and JPD detectives who actually want to make auto burglary arrests, we all better keep Safelite's number handy. Odds are we will need it.
Showing posts with label downtown jackson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label downtown jackson. Show all posts
Friday, December 2, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Benji Boyd Arrested. Henry Michel Hides Under His Desk
The DJT previously wrote about the Millsaps Building, which in our estimation is an incubator for crime in downtown Jackson. One of the primary offenders is one Benjamin Boyd, also known as Dirty White Boy. Among other things, Boyd built the illegal rooftop bar known as the Skybox (or Skyyboxx or Sykyboxx, depending on how many rocks one has smoked). The property manager, Henry Michel, received numerous complaints about Boyd's illegal construction, yet did nothing. According to Henry, since Dirty White Boy wasn't doing anything illegal (and paid his rent on time), he could not evict the miscreant from the building.
City of Jackson Code Enforcement subsequently paid a visit to the illegal rooftop bar. Rooftop bars are not allowed in the City of Jackson. Another problem was that Boyd's construction skills aren't exactly a model of industry standards. While there are several examples, this is the DJT's personal favorite:
The DJT is not an electrician, but this just didn't look too safe. Halfass wiring aside, this was uncovered and exposed to the elements. Something about rainwater + electricity just made us nervous. (Note that Henry Michel had previously looked at this and saw no problem).
Code enforcement ordered Boyd to dismantle all this crap immediately. All Boyd had to do was take down this "construction" and there would be no penalty--not even a citation. So Boyd did what any red-blooded downtown Jackson trash would do: he refused to take it down.
Two weeks later, Code Enforcement came back to inspect the property again. Somehow, they found out that Boyd did not take down the bar as ordered. This time, they brought the JPD Precinct 5 Commander and another police officer with them. When the officers arrived, Benji was none too happy. When code enforcement tried to talk to Benji, he put a cussing on them that would have made Bobby Knight blush. Despite giving him several opportunities to shut up and allow access to the property, Boyd refused. His final words to the officers were: "PO-LEESE in Jackson ain't SHIT!"
And you know what happened next:
Benji Boyd Jackson MS Arrest Report
That's right, they arrested his sorry ass. (NOTE: This document is not the officer's narrative report. This document is an MPRA incident report, which is a Clerk's short synopsis of the arresting officer's report).
Even after this incident, Henry Michel refused to regulate Dirty White Boy's conduct. He continued to proclaim that "he isn't doing anything wrong so I can't evict him." Well Henry, how about this for a reason to evict the dirtbag?: (1) As stated in the report, his construction violated City code. Using the premises to engage in an unlawful activity is always grounds for eviction; (2) Committing a crime and getting arrested on the leased premises also justifies eviction; (3) Disrupting other businesses by committing #1 and 2 is another grounds for eviction.
Despite receiving this and other evidence of DWB's conduct, Henry Michel hid under his desk and did nothing. As a result, Benji Boyd finished the rooftop construction and the Skybox fire trap was open for business. Henry Michel is complicit in the activities of Boyd and the Locker Room, just the same as if he was a partner in the venture. And, in many ways, we suppose he is.
The next time you see Henry Michel or Walter Michel, make sure and tell them both how much you appreciate their efforts to make downtown Jackson all it can be.
City of Jackson Code Enforcement subsequently paid a visit to the illegal rooftop bar. Rooftop bars are not allowed in the City of Jackson. Another problem was that Boyd's construction skills aren't exactly a model of industry standards. While there are several examples, this is the DJT's personal favorite:
The DJT is not an electrician, but this just didn't look too safe. Halfass wiring aside, this was uncovered and exposed to the elements. Something about rainwater + electricity just made us nervous. (Note that Henry Michel had previously looked at this and saw no problem).
Code enforcement ordered Boyd to dismantle all this crap immediately. All Boyd had to do was take down this "construction" and there would be no penalty--not even a citation. So Boyd did what any red-blooded downtown Jackson trash would do: he refused to take it down.
Two weeks later, Code Enforcement came back to inspect the property again. Somehow, they found out that Boyd did not take down the bar as ordered. This time, they brought the JPD Precinct 5 Commander and another police officer with them. When the officers arrived, Benji was none too happy. When code enforcement tried to talk to Benji, he put a cussing on them that would have made Bobby Knight blush. Despite giving him several opportunities to shut up and allow access to the property, Boyd refused. His final words to the officers were: "PO-LEESE in Jackson ain't SHIT!"
And you know what happened next:
Benji Boyd Jackson MS Arrest Report
That's right, they arrested his sorry ass. (NOTE: This document is not the officer's narrative report. This document is an MPRA incident report, which is a Clerk's short synopsis of the arresting officer's report).
Even after this incident, Henry Michel refused to regulate Dirty White Boy's conduct. He continued to proclaim that "he isn't doing anything wrong so I can't evict him." Well Henry, how about this for a reason to evict the dirtbag?: (1) As stated in the report, his construction violated City code. Using the premises to engage in an unlawful activity is always grounds for eviction; (2) Committing a crime and getting arrested on the leased premises also justifies eviction; (3) Disrupting other businesses by committing #1 and 2 is another grounds for eviction.
Despite receiving this and other evidence of DWB's conduct, Henry Michel hid under his desk and did nothing. As a result, Benji Boyd finished the rooftop construction and the Skybox fire trap was open for business. Henry Michel is complicit in the activities of Boyd and the Locker Room, just the same as if he was a partner in the venture. And, in many ways, we suppose he is.
The next time you see Henry Michel or Walter Michel, make sure and tell them both how much you appreciate their efforts to make downtown Jackson all it can be.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Ted S. Orkin, Property Manager and Downtown Slumlord
Today, DJT would like to recognize Ted S. Orkin. Without Ted S. Orkin, we would not have Wendy Ramage or Chip Matthews opening a human landfill downtown. It's just not fair that he toils away in anonymity, while Ramage and Matthews get all the credit for their efforts to "improve" our community. So, by God, DJT is here to make sure Orkin gets the credit he deserves.
Mr. Orkin is a property manager here in Jackson. He is the founder and principal of Orkin Property Management. According to Orkin's website, his business specializes in "Community Association Management."
Mr. Orkin also owns a little property downtown. Specifically, he owns the property at 206 West Capitol Street. This is the location where the trashy Wendy's Playhouse is/was located. Orkin leased this property to FIRE meat market peddler Chip Matthews. Matthews, in turn, handed the place over to airhead front girl Wendy Ramage.
Over time, several low-rent garbage dump bars have been operated at this location. Before it was Wendy's Playhouse, it was The Joint and a whole host of other notorious cesspools.
DJT was quite surprised to learn that Mr. Orkin was willing to go so far into the gutter to rent this place out. Orkin's client list reads like a Who's Who of prime real estate and community associations. Orkin's website boasts that he provides property management and real estate services to the following subdivisions and associations:
How come Ted Orkin didn't lease Chip Matthews some property at Annandale or Wright's Mill to open his dives. Or why not Avignon Office Park in Ridgeland (which Orkin also manages)? Why not go find him some good solid commercial property in the City of Madison for another of his sewer clubs?
Ted Orkin didn't lease Chip Matthews property in Madison, Ridgeland or Brandon because he knew they wouldn't tolerate it. Yet, Orkin has no problem renting Matthews property in our neighborhood to open up another white trash freak show. And all within 9mm range of our front door.
We salute you, Ted Orkin. Another real estate scumbag who doesn't give a shit about the community.
Mr. Orkin is a property manager here in Jackson. He is the founder and principal of Orkin Property Management. According to Orkin's website, his business specializes in "Community Association Management."
Mr. Orkin also owns a little property downtown. Specifically, he owns the property at 206 West Capitol Street. This is the location where the trashy Wendy's Playhouse is/was located. Orkin leased this property to FIRE meat market peddler Chip Matthews. Matthews, in turn, handed the place over to airhead front girl Wendy Ramage.
Over time, several low-rent garbage dump bars have been operated at this location. Before it was Wendy's Playhouse, it was The Joint and a whole host of other notorious cesspools.
DJT was quite surprised to learn that Mr. Orkin was willing to go so far into the gutter to rent this place out. Orkin's client list reads like a Who's Who of prime real estate and community associations. Orkin's website boasts that he provides property management and real estate services to the following subdivisions and associations:
Wow. That's some prime real estate there. I wonder if Ted Orkin's fancy clients know he does business with this kind of riff-raff.
Annandale Estates Madison, MS Bayridge Jackson, MS Belle Terre Madison, MS Bridgepointe Brandon, MS Cypress Lake Madison, MS Fontanelle Madison, MS Hatheway Lake Madison, MS Johnstone & Britton Lake Madison, MS Montrose & La Roche’ Ridgeland, MS Overlook Pointe Ridgeland, MS Shadowood and Wendover Ridgeland, MS Sherbourne Madison, MS Windrush Ridgeland, MS Wright’s Mill Madison, MS
How come Ted Orkin didn't lease Chip Matthews some property at Annandale or Wright's Mill to open his dives. Or why not Avignon Office Park in Ridgeland (which Orkin also manages)? Why not go find him some good solid commercial property in the City of Madison for another of his sewer clubs?
Ted Orkin didn't lease Chip Matthews property in Madison, Ridgeland or Brandon because he knew they wouldn't tolerate it. Yet, Orkin has no problem renting Matthews property in our neighborhood to open up another white trash freak show. And all within 9mm range of our front door.
We salute you, Ted Orkin. Another real estate scumbag who doesn't give a shit about the community.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)