The Clarksdale Police Department unveiled the city’s first substation on Monday and also hired a part-time investigator whose sole purpose will be dedicated to solving the city’s cold cases.
In addition, the city announced it will be holding a series of community forums to gather public input as it begins work on developing a five-year strategic plan that will determine how the Clarksdale Police Department operates in the future.
Mayor Chuck Espy said the city is already considering community input and one part of that was the implementation of its first substation, which will be located at the Bennie S. Gooden Estates.
“We’ve done a magnificent job of trying to satisfy the community’s needs and today is just another step in honoring that commitment,” Espy said during a ceremony held Monday afternoon at the affordable housing complex. “We’re happy to do this in the Riverton area and hopefully it will help stop some crime.”
Willie Pole, who manages the property, said the complex rarely has trouble with its residents in the 80 units on the site, but rather it’s visitors to the site that cause problems. The complex is located off Washington Avenue with the heavily traveled South State Street nearby.
“This will help deter people coming off the streets. Most of our problems are from those who are coming off the streets and driving in to the complex,” Pole said. “Just having that police presence will help stop some of that.”
The substation will be located in the community building located in the center of the property. Pole said he believes an officer will check in at the substation each shift and there will also be walking patrols. Espy also mentioned the possibility of locating a Sky Cop camera in the area if the city proceeds with the purchase of some 50 security cameras.
“By having the substation here, we’re hoping to reduce crime in the area,” said Police Chief Sandra Williams.
Pole, who grew up in Clarksdale and still calls the city his home, said he is pleased with the emphasis the city is placing on public safety.
Espy said he and Williams have a goal of placing four substations within the city limits and it’s their goal to have all four up and operational by this summer. Espy declined at this time to say where the other three substations will be located.
Douglas to handle city’s cold cases
Longtime state investigator Timothy Douglas was hired Monday as a part-time, temporary investigator to handle the city’s homicide cold cases. The motion was unanimously approved by members of the Clarksdale board of commissioners during its meeting Monday night.
Williams said the hiring of Douglas came about after a series of meetings with members of the public this fall. Some of the cases would include the Tayveon Hill murder, the killing of Myrtle Messenger and a double homicide from 2017.
“People in the community believe there was some work undone in a lot of these cases,” said the police chief. “He is up for the challenge and I believe he will be an asset to the Clarksdale Police Department.”
Douglas has more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement with 14 of those years spent investigating homicides with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations. He began his career in 1991 as a Mississippi state trooper and he recently retired.
“He has a lot information, knowledge and experience and I believe he is definitely the person for this very important job,” Williams said.
Douglas is a certified state investigator with extensive knowledge in dealing with crime scenes and interrogations. He also has working relationships with the MBI and ATF.
“He comes highly recommended from a lot of people,” Williams said. “Officers here in Clarksdale know Lt. Douglas and all have good things to say about him.”
Citizens urged to comment on police department
The City of Clarksdale will be hosting a series of community police forums this month to gather public input for the implementation of a five-year strategic plan for the Clarksdale Police Department.
During its meeting Monday night, the Clarksdale board of commissioners unanimously approved the hiring of consultant Mac Crank to head up the project.
Last year, the city applied for and received a $75,000 grant from the XXXXX to form a strategic plan that will detail what changes need to be made, actions that will be taken and serve as a tactical guide for the police department moving forward.
There will be four meetings held in each of the city’s four wards starting Tuesday, Jan. 22 (Ward 3) with a 5:30 p.m. meeting at Booker T. Washington Elementary School at 1806 Sunflower Ave. The community forums are open to the public and will be catered.
The other meetings will be held:
* Wednesday, Jan. 23 (Ward 2) at noon at the Clarksdale/Coahoma County Tourism office at 326 Blues Alley.
* Thursday, Jan. 24 (Ward 1) at 5:30 p.m. at Heidleburg Elementary School at 801 Maple Ave.
* Friday, Jan. 25 (Ward 4) at 5:30 p.m. at the National Guard Armory at 924 Ritchie Ave.
Crank said the input gathered from the meetings will be given to a steering committee. The members of that five-person steering committee will be appointed by the city’s four commissioners and mayor. Crank said he is hoping for a judge, member of the clergy and other interested citizens as the group will be tasked with meeting several times a month.
“They will come up with a five-year very comprehensive plan,” Crank said.
