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A Mississippi mayor is prepared to spend thousands of dollars of his own money in order to relocate criminals away from his city as part of innovative plans to reduce crime.
Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy told a press conference the moving assistance fund will be “as deep as the mayor’s pocket,” starting out at around $10,000. The hope is that the money will persuade those who commit crimes to move away and start new lives.
“We are talking directly to three groups of people. Drug dealers, gang members, and any wannabe criminals in the city of Clarksdale,” he said. “They may be in the wrong environment,” Espy told reporters at Clarksdale City Hall.
“So, what I’m saying as the mayor today, I will put money on the line to assist those type of people to move out of the city. “It’s not to say you just want one criminal to move from one city to the next,” Espy added.
“They might just not have the good opportunities they need in this city. “But make no mistake about it, we are asking those three groups of people; if you are just simply a criminal, if you are a gang member or a drug dealer, move out of this city now.
” The mayor is also asking local businesses or philanthropists to contribute to the moving assistance fund and help improve the safety of the city.