Pine Belt Crime
Crime in Forrest County
The crime within Forrest County might not be what you would expect.
John Tryner, Investigator with the Forrest County Sherrif’s Office says they’re still investigating whether, the increase in crime is connected to some sort of gang activity.
“Most of the county which we patrol, those areas are still mostly rural, and your gang activity is going to occur in your more urban areas. Everything’s kind of even over the past years. There’s not an increase in one certain area of a crime or another,” Tryner said.
Most crimes are related to property and burglary/larceny is right behind.
“There has only been one reported homicide in Forrest County. Our 2017 totals we saw were property crimes, larceny of property, whether vehicle or lawn mower on somebody’s property. Quite a few burglaries of residents shed or vehicles,” Tryner said. “Not that many felony drug arrests or cases. The top three areas we see most reported is Property crimes, burglaries, and drug reports (marijuana, methamphetamine, and controlled substances).”
Forrest County has plenty of programs to help protect its residents to prevent property theft and burglary. They have the occasional town hall meetings and community watch programs.
Tryner says, “I believe that crime prevention starts with residents that live in a particular community. You can take steps at your home or within your community to combat crime.”
Tryner recommends taking the following steps to combat the level of crime.
Be diligent
Be aware with what’s going on
Be proactive
Watch out for your neighbors and your own property
Be observant and install a security system, home monitoring system, or put up some signs.
A criminal will be looking for an easy target and if they think they will be on camera at this house they will be like let me skip to the next one. If you don’t have any of those things or can’t afford it just lock your doors. Our simple thefts we have had the most of generally because someone would see if the door was unlocked and pick something out of it. They wouldn’t break into it they would just check to see if the door was unlocked.”
Treylon Cleveland a Boardwalk Apartment resident says, “I’ve heard of people breaking into cars but never have seen it myself and I think they should add more security and surveillance cameras around so these type of things don’t happen again.” If someone wants to call in something, they don’t have to give a name or number; they have anonymous ways of giving tips as well.
Tryner urges the community to remember that they have metro crime stoppers. The people in the community have to start being aware and if they do see something they can make a call. If they’re nervous or afraid they can anonymously leave a tip and they can call the hotline 601-582-STOP. They also have the option of using a new app called “P3 Tips.” The apps allows anyone to use their smart phone or tablet to go online and submit an anonymous tip. It will then be transferred to the appropriate people.
