McComb, MS (BuzzReport) — Gun violence in McComb has reached what city leaders describe as “near an epidemic level,” prompting renewed calls for coordinated action between law enforcement, community leaders, and residents.
In a public statement following a strategy meeting with Police Chief Earnest Perry and Deputy Chief Alex Miller, Mayor Quentin Lockley said the city is confronting a crisis that mirrors trends seen across Mississippi and beyond.
“I want to assure you, the citizens of McComb, that the Mayor has not ignored this problem,” Lockley said. “I have had numerous conversations with other mayors and police chiefs around the state about this problem. I can tell you that nobody has an answer.”
No ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Solution
According to the mayor, one of the central conclusions of the meeting was that no single approach will solve the violence plaguing the community.
“One size does not fit all,” Lockley said, noting that leaders must identify and confront the underlying factors contributing to gun violence locally — including poverty, drug activity, and the proliferation of illegal firearms.
City officials emphasized that any forthcoming strategies will be tailored specifically to McComb’s challenges rather than adopting a broad, generic enforcement model.
Shared Accountability
Lockley acknowledged that blame for youth violence is often placed on various institutions — homes, schools, churches, government, and law enforcement — but said meaningful progress requires collective responsibility.
“Accountability is shared,” he said. “We must all be willing to accept how we have failed our young people.”
The mayor, who noted he has worked with children for most of his adult life, said each loss of life weighs heavily on him personally.
“I struggle eternally every time a life is taken too soon,” Lockley said. “It must stop.”
Enforcement and Prevention
During the meeting, city leaders discussed potential strategies and techniques aimed at reducing shootings while maintaining community trust. Lockley stressed that enforcement efforts would not be designed to harass residents but to focus on safety, accountability, and prevention.
Officials also agreed that the city cannot address the issue alone. Lockley called for cooperation from the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, municipal police departments, school resource officers, and school safety officials.
However, he emphasized that enforcement alone is insufficient.
“It is a shared responsibility between law enforcement and the community,” Lockley said, urging support from churches and citizens across McComb.
As city leaders continue to refine their approach, the message from City Hall is clear: reversing the surge in gun violence will require unified, sustained action from every corner of the community.