August 22, 2007 - The crime-rate within Jackson, Tennessee has risen over the past few years an according to Jackson County Police Lt. Pat Willis, a 23 year veteran - it is because of hip hop culture. The city is apparently west Tennessee’s center for crack-cocaine and heroine. According to the Jackson Sun, Willis said that gang members are recruiting teens off the Internet, where they start beefs with each other on various social networks, while trying to promote their upcoming rap groups. Willis stated that, “the emergence of hip hop culture has given them a camouflage”, the gang members are no longer wearing colors to signify their allegiance, but instead, favor a common style of dress popular with the rest of the community. According to the Chief of Police, Rick Staples, most of the criminal acts were related to drugs, which were committed by the cities biggest ‘threat’ - organized gangs.
by Robby Uppal
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