Jackson mayor enacts curfew to curb looting, gawkers

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander has proclaimed the city to be in a state of disaster and enacted a curfew in areas affected by last week's tornado during Monday night's board of aldermen meeting.

Police chief James Humphreys asked Sander for assistance in the department's efforts to curb looting and to keep non-residents out of those neighborhoods, Sander told the council.

The curfew for Ward 4 will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until May 21. Movement in and out of the damaged neighborhoods will be limited to residents, contractors, city workers and emergency volunteers coordinated through the county Emergency Operations Center.

Sander chose a seldom-used ordinance in the city's bylaws that gives the mayor, council or police chief the authority to increase the powers of law enforcement during a disaster and to issue a curfew.

Police responded to 25 calls last weekend from residents in the areas most affected by the tornado, where non-residents were found pilfering through debris and homes, said Humphreys. One man's damaged trailer was hauled away by someone who apparently thought it was free for the taking, but police later found it.

"The scavenging, that needs to stop," said city administrator Jim Roach. "People that don't belong in these damaged areas need to stay out. They're hampering cleanup efforts and police patrolling."

Gawkers have been a persistent problem, too, according to residents.

"On Sunday afternoon, it seemed everybody's Mother's Day present was to get a look at the damage," said Lakewood Drive resident Susan Crites. "It was bumper to bumper."

Humphreys said many people are still mistakenly stopping by the destroyed police and fire complex on the corner of Jackson Boulevard and Hope Street. Police have set up an interim station house inside the old building at the sheriff's department at 215 N. High, and it is fully operational.

The fire department is operating out of its new administrative building on Hope Street.

Other city council actions included:

A public hearing was held to consider the voluntary annexation of 6.5 acres of property on West Independence Street, as submitted by Robert and Lori Meyer.

Approved an ordinance for the voluntary annexation of 4.63 acres of property along Diana Drive, as submitted by Savannah Ridge Partners, L.C.

Accepted the bid of Dutch Enterprises Inc. of Jackson in the amount of $20,479, regarding to the Rosewood Estates interceptor sewer project.

Authorized a contractual agreement with Dutch Enterprises.

Accepted the bid of Fronabarger Concreters Inc. of Oak Ridge in the amount of $99,829.60 regarding to the 2003 concrete street repair project.

Authorized a contractual agreement with Fronabarger Concreters Inc.

Authorized the closure of South High Street from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. May 26 for the American Legion Memorial Day Service.

Authorized the use of outside speakers at Jackson Tire Center on Saturday, between 6 and 10 p.m.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160