NATCHEZ — Following public outcry over a recent “wave of crime,” Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell has assembled a task force to address residents’ concerns.

Grennell said the task force will be made up of himself, Adams County Supervisors President Mike Lazarus, Police Chief Daniel White, Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten, Adams County constables, appointees named by each Natchez alderman and county supervisor for their respective wards and districts, the Rev. Kevin Deason of New Direction Outreach Ministries and resident Jessica Stubbs.

Deason recently hosted a community meeting for residents to discuss concerns about crime. Stubbs recently voiced her concerns about crime to the Natchez Board of Aldermen following an incident during which a man tried to enter her house while she was home with her children. The two will co-chair the task force.

Grennell said he thinks it is important that residents take a leadership role in the task force.

“Residents see a lot of things that we don’t always see,” he said. “In terms of government and in terms of safety and other issues, they provide the perfect voice to let us know things that happen and more eyes to keep watch.”

Law enforcement has recently faced increased scrutiny following several shootings. At least six shootings have been reported so far this year, and three people have been killed in gun violence since Dec. 30.

“This task force is a good way to listen and address what the concerns are since we’ve had this wave of crime,” Grennell said.

Despite perception, Grennell said, statistics show crime has deceased in areas in Natchez.

“But we want to continue to have a decrease in crime, and that’s why this task force is important,” he said.

The task force meets Monday and will begin to make plans to host a series of public meetings in various neighborhoods to allow residents the opportunity to voice concerns and ideas about how to fight crime.

“They will talk to the residents in their areas about the concerns and questions people have and bring that back (to the task force),” Grennell said. “They will compile all of that information and prioritize things we can do throughout Natchez and Adams County in order to get the public to participate in helping us fight crime.”