Video: Combating Guns On The Street

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GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – On Wednesday, three men were caught in the act of burglarizing a Columbus home.

Officers say 23-year-old Jamir Jefferson and 22-year-old Justin Brewer, along with a 17-year-old male, were loading stolen property into a vehicle when authorities became suspicious.

At least one hand gun was taken from the home and hasn’t been recovered yet.

Captain Brent Swan with the Columbus Police Department says that’s how most criminals get their hands on guns.

“Most of the guns we see on the street come out of a home burglary or auto burglary. Once they’re taken out of that burglary, they’re swapped on the street. Some for drugs but people know who to go to to be able to get one if they need one. And a lot of times when we deal with somebody whose possessing a gun especially younger people, it’s going to be stolen,” said Swan.

These guns have all been recovered by the Columbus Police Department.

When criminals have their hands on guns like this, it often poses a bigger threat for officers.

“It’s extremely difficult especially if you’re dealing with a convicted felon or somebody with criminal intent when they have a weapon in close proximity, it’s a safety issue for us. A lot of the people that we deal with whether they’re law abiding or whether they have criminal intent, possess weapons,” added Swan.
Although most guns on the streets come from home burglaries, law enforcement officers have some valuable advice for homeowners to keep their firearms safe.

“We always encourage everybody to take time out, take pictures, write down serial numbers and keep them in a safe place inside their house, so that will help us in narrowing down the guns once we’re able to recover them on the streets,” said Albert Lee, Assistant Police Chief in West Point.
Investigators are still looking for two suspects who fled the Columbus home on foot.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbus Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151