JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A new program being developed in the capital city could help residents work off misdemeanor fines and sentences.

On Monday, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced efforts to create the “Clean Sweep” program, which would allow people to pick up litter instead of paying fines or serving time.

The mayor credited Environmental Program Coordinator Satara Patrick for heading up the effort, saying the city’s previous program was halted by a consent decree.

For her part, Patrick said the program would offer those who have been sentenced or fined by the Jackson Municipal Court a way to work off those penalties.

“We have designated areas in which they’ll be asked to come out and clean up… [The] focus will be neighborhood cleanup, roll-off dumpster days, litter and debris pickup, and illegal dumping and mitigation,” she said.

“We’re working with legal to get things going, as far as the chief prosecutor and the city’s contracted public defender. We will have more [information] next week.”

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