Meridian, Miss. Two murders in less than 48 hours have the community searching for answers. How can we put a stop to the Meridian's violent crime?

"We should not have to have the crime at this rapid level," Meridian/Lauderdale Co. NAACP President Randle Jennings says.

Jennings says they believe the root of the problem lies within the Meridian public school system. He says many of these criminals drop out, can't find jobs and they run out of choices.

"The criminal is at fault, but what we're seeing is that these are young people that are almost in a position where they're desperate," he says. "I've been in education, my entire life. I've never seen a chaotic community and a sensible, productive school system."

A press release from the NAACP says:

"Meridian school board members consistently expelled or pushed out young people, creating early juvenile offenders!"

Jennings is asking for the mayor to call a community meeting to hear from citizens.

"A lot of times you get solutions from think-tanks that sit at round tables that make decisions for people, and it doesn't be sensible solutions to really be able to be effective," he says.

He says if the mayor does not call an open meeting to discuss crime issues, the NAACP will invite the public to a meeting within the next two weeks.