Immigration enforcement swarms LA's MacArthur Park
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Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hattiesburg police cracking down on violent crimes by young offenders. What is the plan?
A recent spate of youth crimes brought local and state law enforcement officers together to put an end to it. Hattiesburg Police Chief Hardy Sims held a news conference Wednesday, July 9, to address the recent rise in teens committing violent crimes. "Recent trends in violence in young people are alarming," Sims said. "We must collectively take a stand to foster an environment where peace, respect and understanding prevail over conflict and aggression." Sims said the trend is not just local — youth crime is on the rise nationwide. Locally, however, Sims wants the Hattiesburg community to know it's being taken seriously and won't be tolerated. "Over the next few days and weeks, we will actively work to change the behavior of our young adults," Sims said. "They will be held responsible for their actions. Additionally, we will strictly enforce our curfew laws and hold those who violate them accountable." Sims added that parents also can be charged for allowing their teens to be out past curfew. He said they will be held accountable along with their children. Curfew for those younger than 18 is 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Over the Fourth of July holiday weekend alone, one 16-year-old was charged with aggravated assault and evidence tampering after an 18-year-old was shot in the leg multiple times on Country Club Road. Another five teens were charged with commercial burglary in a separate incident on Old Highway 11. On Monday, police responded to a shooting on Hardy Street, where three teens were arrested. Two of the teens have been charged in the incident — a 15-year-old was charged as an adult with aggravated assault and a 14-year-old was charged with evidence tampering and accessory after the fact. The victim was able to get away without being injured. The incident remains under investigation. It is unclear whether the third teen will be charged. Last year, four teens were charged with the murder of 21-year-old Southern Miss football player Marcus "MJ" Daniels. Three of the teens pleaded guilty to the murder. A fourth was convicted at trial on June 19. "I want to directly address the youth of our community," Sims said. "Your potential is boundless. The choices you make today will shape not only your lives, but the lives of those around you." Sims said young people must not give in to social pressures to retaliate in responding to situations. He encouraged teens to look for alternatives to resolving conflict instead of resorting to violence. "Violence is never the answer," he said, directly addressing the city's youth. "Choosing a path of aggression will only lead to consequences that can alter the course of your life forever." Sims said the Hattiesburg community has plenty of resources to help young people resolve conflict before it escalates, including youth programs, counseling services and mentorship opportunities. "I implore you to engage with our youth," Sims said, addressing parents and caregivers. "Open lines of communication, foster an environment of trust and be active in their lives. Your guidance and support are invaluable." While Hattiesburg police want to encourage an environment of support and nurturing for the city's young people, Sims said the department also has the responsibility of enforcing the law. "Those who choose to engage in violent behavior will face serious consequences," Sims said. "Our officers are committed to keeping our community safe. We will take all necessary measures to prevent violence from becoming a norm among our youth." Other local and state agencies, including Petal Police Department, Forrest County Sheriff's Office and Mississippi Highway Patrol, are taking similar measures to stem the rise in youth violence across the Pine Belt. "Enough is enough," Sims said. "Let us work hand in hand to create a brighter future for our cities and counties — one where our youth are empowered to make positive choices and pursue their dreams without the shadow of violence." Forrest County Sheriff Charlie Sims said youth violence is increasing at the county level as well. The sheriff is not related to Chief Sims. "Unfortunately, in recent weeks, we've had a threat to (our community) values," the sheriff said. "People have chosen to increase their activity in violent behavior, and that is not what our community is about. "We cannot let crime dictate how we live, where we go, and how we feel safe in our own homes. We can't stand by and watch families be devastated, lives lost and our neighborhoods overcome with crime. This is just not who we are." Although there were no youth crimes recorded over the holiday weekend in Forrest County, the sheriff's deputies assisted Hattiesburg in a number of crimes, including another shooting in which multiple people were injured. No one has yet been charged in connection with that shooting. There are currently 10 juveniles housed in the youth detention center in Forrest County, and another eight charged as adults at the county jail, which Sims said is far too many. "We're going to take decisive action," Charlie Sims said. "Law enforcement agencies around this area are coming together to increase patrols, share information and to have focused operations on those who are out there committing these violent crimes. "We're going to identify them and we're going to arrest them." State and federal agencies are working with local law enforcement to protect people from violent crimes and prosecute those who commit them, Charlie Sims said. "This is about the safety of our families," Sheriff Sims said. "This is a great community full of promise. We've got strong families, and we're rooted in faith. We're not going to let a small group of individuals who choose violence to destroy what a generation has built up here." Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at lbeveridge@ Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Violent teens in Hattiesburg, MS: Crime trend prompts police crackdown
Axios
18 minutes ago
- Axios
Latino leaders vow to protect Barrio Fest from ICE
Local Latino lawmakers are vowing to protect Chicagoans who may be targeted by immigration officers in the coming days at cultural festivals. Why it matters: The community is on high alert after more than 15 people who said they worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but showed no identification, arrived at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Humboldt Park on Tuesday. Staff say they used "gestapo-style intimidation" and refused to leave. Between the lines: Museum officials say a staffer overheard someone they believe was a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer discuss targeting upcoming festivals at the museum for raids. This weekend, the museum will host its annual Barrio Arts Festival, followed by Colombian Fest July 18-20. What they're saying: "We're not going to let ICE intimidate our families and instill fear in us," said Ald. Jessie Fuentes during a Wednesday press conference at the museum. She noted that the museum is located on "private property" and "ICE is not welcome." The other side: ICE officials did not respond to Axios' request for comment on the allegations. Reality check: While Latino leaders promised to protect this weekend's festival attendees by denying entry to ICE officers if they show up and keeping immigration attorneys on hand, they acknowledged there are limits to what they can do in the face of armed agents. "They have the guns, they're masked up, and they have been deployed by the President of the United States to abduct people without due process," U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez tells Axios. Context: President Trump's megabill just allocated more than $100 billion through 2029 for immigration enforcement. Ramirez has co-sponsored a bill that would require ICE agents to identify themselves and remove masks while working. Zoom out: The alleged arrival of ICE agents in Humboldt Park came in the wake of a militarized immigration operation in Los Angeles' MacArthur Park this week.
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tampa City Council candidate Orlando Gudes may violate residency rules
Orlando Gudes, a former Tampa City Council member now running for the vacant District 5 seat, may not meet residency requirements to hold the office, according to county records obtained by the Tampa Bay Times. A recent voter audit report from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections shows that Gudes requested to change his address from District 7 to District 5 on June 17, two weeks before he announced his candidacy. Per the county elections supervisor, candidates must have lived in their district 'for six months immediately preceding the commencement of their term of office.' The special election to fill the vacant District 5 seat, which opened after Council member Gwen Henderson died suddenly last month, is set for Sept. 9, with a likely runoff in late October. The winner will assume office immediately. If Gudes wins in either month, he will have lived in the district for fewer than five months. The candidate did not respond to multiple emails and calls for comment. Gudes' full address is protected from public disclosure because he is a former police officer. The District 5 seat serves downtown, East Tampa, Ybor City and parts of West Tampa. Henderson had more than 15 months left in her term when she died. Gerri Kramer, spokesperson for the Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections, said the elections office plays a ministerial role in accepting candidate qualifying documents and does not have the authority to determine their accuracy. 'This ultimately may need to be decided by a court,' said Adam Smith, spokesperson for the City of Tampa. Gudes was originally elected to the Tampa City Council in 2019 to represent District 5. In 2020, a legislative aide — Henderson's sister — accused Gudes of making lewd remarks and creating a hostile work environment. A monthslong investigation found most of the claims to be credible, but a lawsuit filed by the aide was dismissed and the city announced a separate $200,000 settlement with her. Gudes denied the allegations, and the city agreed to pay the legal fees he incurred defending himself against the suit. In 2022, Gudes faced questions about his address. While on the council, Gudes, who said he was living in his East Tampa childhood home, received an improper tax break for a property he owned in North Tampa. Gudes requested that the homestead exemption be removed and paid the Hillsborough County Appraiser's Office more than $13,000 for the 2019, 2020 and 2021 tax years. 'Once we heard about it, we took care of the problem,' Gudes told the Tampa Bay Times in 2022. 'We took care of all the issues.' Gudes lost his bid for reelection in 2023 to Henderson. This year, Gudes is one of 11 candidates to enter the race as of July 9. The winner will serve until the next City of Tampa municipal election in 2027.
