Tara Jackson Outlines Transparency, Community Outreach in FOX 5 Interview

Interim State’s Attorney Tara H. Jackson sat for a one-on-one with FOX 5 DC posted Feb. 27, 2026 to outline new steps her office will take to improve public information, community engagement and transparency around prosecutions and public-safety initiatives. Jackson said those steps include a comprehensive audit of office programs and more public-facing events meant to explain charging decisions and safety work to Prince George’s County residents.

Jackson, who will serve an 18-month interim term, said the audit will evaluate current programs, initiatives and partnerships to identify what is working and where improvements are needed. The county biography of Jackson notes she previously served as Chief Administrative Officer and Acting County Executive, led COVID-19 response efforts including vaccination center operations, and will pair the audit’s findings with FY26 budget priorities and economic projects such as the Blue Line Corridor.

On the topic of violent crime and domestic abuse, Jackson emphasized prosecutorial firmness and a recent local record. She said, "Crime is down year over year, and we are excited about that, and we're moving to continue that trend." Jackson added, "If it gets to the point where persons do commit acts of violence within their home, then we’re going to prosecute you." Officials in the office have pointed to three first-degree murder convictions related to domestic violence since Jackson took office as part of that prosecutorial record.

Child-abuse prevention and response were central to Jackson’s outreach message. She urged caregivers to "pay very close attention to your child’s behavior" and said, "If there's any deviation in the child's behavior, if they're seeming uncomfortable around a family member or a friend, listen to them, talk to them, ask questions of them, and then most of all, believe them." Jackson also noted that "It is most often family members, coaches, and friends of the family that are abusing our children." National estimates cited alongside her remarks place child sexual abuse prevalence at one in four girls and one in 13 boys, and domestic violence rates highest among women ages 18 to 24 and 25 to 34.

Jackson has not limited outreach to televised interviews. She convened a public safety roundtable at Prince George’s Community College on Dec. 4, 2025 that brought together Prince George’s County Police Department leaders, Maryland State Police representatives, Prince George’s County Fire and EMS officials, and Sheriff John Carr. At the PGCC event, Jackson said, "We’re committed to hearing from the public, talking about their concerns, talking to them about their fears." Sheriff Carr advised holiday shoppers to secure purchases and remain aware of their surroundings to avoid theft.

The State’s Attorney’s Office under Jackson operates with nearly 200 employees and presents the audit and expanded meetings as the means to shape prosecutorial priorities for the remainder of her 18-month interim term. Jackson’s stated aim is to translate the audit’s findings into clearer public information, stronger community trust and concrete changes in FY26 budgeting and public-safety initiatives.