JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – A West Jackson resident claimed that Ted Henifin, Interim Third-Party Manager for JXN Water, threatened to keep her water shut off following a billing dispute.

During Tuesday’s Jackson City Council meeting, Calandra Davis shared her experience with Henifin. She said her water was cut off on Monday, August 12.

According to Davis, the family had been receiving water without a bill for some time and had been in contact with JXN Water about setting up an account. Once their water was shut off, Davis said she had trouble reaching out to the company and went to their offices Tuesday morning to schedule an appointment.

Davis said security at the offices puled a gun on her husband as he approached the door and that Henifin shared words with her family.

“The Capitol police we’re called on us, and then Ted Henifin came out, who is the director of JXN Water. He then told us that our issue was because we didn’t have an account, we didn’t try. At first, they couldn’t even find the account. Then they came back and told us that it was on us because of the timing and that it could be tomorrow or it could be a lot longer with the way we were acting. So, he effectively threatened us with water, the accessibility to water, which is a human right. And again, we’re one of the most impacted, marginalized households considering the makeup of our household,” said Davis.

“We as a city do not condone the use of any threat of violence to residents who are simply trying to get answers to the issues pertaining to their water,” said Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba. “We have to make certain that the work going forward is equitable, that the consideration of how people are dealing with the challenges in their own homes is prioritized.”

JXN Water has not replied to WJTV 12 News’ multiple requests for comment on this matter with Davis. In a separate news release on water cutoffs, JXN Water said, “As of early this week, more than 125 people have opened accounts with JXN Water after their service was disconnected. Once a customer sets up an account, water service is restored.”

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