Violence fell notably during Jackson’s 100 Days of Peace, but ‘we can’t say’ why

By the final day of “100 Days of Peace” in Jackson Friday, the city once called America’s deadliest had recorded a marked decline in violent offenses — 35% fewer homicides and nearly half of shootings — compared to last year.

But amid instability at the city’s fledgling violence prevention office, the exact reason for the recent respite eludes city leaders.

The reduction in violence was one goal of 100 Days of Peace, also known as 100 Days of Action, an initiative launched earlier this year by the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery.

From Feb. 27 to June 6, the office planned to host events to raise awareness and loosely create an atmosphere of peace in Jackson. It also announced $150,000 in grants, which began in January, to three community violence intervention organizat