East Sider, 81, refuses to let multiple break-ins break her

By Joe Gorman | June 10, 2017 at 12:10a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Bessie Jackson is angry.

Her East Side house has been broken into three times within a week. They took her television, microwave and several miniature angels.

Jackson, who said she was in training to be a police officer before she moved from Long Island, N.Y., with her husband, said she is too old to be scared.

“I’m very angry,” the 81-year-old said Friday in her living room, surrounded by angels and a picture of her five daughters, 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. “I feel like people should not go in when nobody’s home and go out and steal things. When you got a job, you don’t have time to steal.”

Jackson’s home was broken into May 29, Sunday and Tuesday. In all three break-ins, the burglar got in by breaking a window. The first time, the television was taken. The second time, her microwave and some change were taken. And the third time, they got her angels and air conditioner.

“By that time, I was getting angry,” Jackson said.

Whoever broke in also left some things behind: a hammer and a ratchet, which were given to police.

Capt. Brad Blackburn, chief of detectives, said a detective is assigned to the case and the crime lab has collected evidence that is being processed at a lab. He said there are no suspects.

Jackson stays next door at a daughter’s home overnight because of health issues, but she comes home and spends her days in the home she has lived in for more than 40 years. Her husband, Ham Jackson, a retired welder, is in an assisted-living facility.

Bessie Jackson said there has never been any kind of trouble as long as she has lived in the home.

“I could put stuff on the back porch and no one would ever take anything,” Jackson said.

Jackson said she does not feel any fear.

“When you get a certain age, you don’t have sense enough to be afraid, and I’m not afraid,” Jackson said. “I believe in God and he’ll take care of me.

“This is my house and I’m not going to be afraid. I know how to defend myself. I know what to do.”