Law enforcement moving back to city hall
FRIARS POINT — The Friars Point Police Department is facing a $99,000 deficit and Mayor James Washington responded by suggesting to reduce the three-person department to a night watchman during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Washington’s proposal consisted of having the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Office patrol Friars Point on a more regular basis to make up for the potential reduction. Tracy Vance, who also works for the Sheriff’s office, is currently the police chief.
“I’m not recommending anything yet today other than the fact that I firmly and strongly believe we’re going to have to cut our police back to just a night watchman and go with the County,” Washington said.
The Mayor said he would make a recommendation for a vote during the Sept. 3 meeting.
Whether or not the police department reduces its officers, one change was approved Tuesday night.
The department will move its office to the back of city hall, where it was located several years ago, as soon as renovations to the restroom are completed. It is currently down the street from city hall.
“We’ve got everything under one roof,” Washington said.
Washington explained his reasons for wanting to make even more changes with local law enforcement.
“I looked at the police department budget at what’s going on. Looking at it, we’re $99,000 in the hole,” Washington said. “I was thinking about it. I said, ‘We might have to do like Jonestown, Coahoma and Lula.’
“They have cut their staff. Lula only has a night watchman. Coahoma has one. Jonestown has got one. Now they’re utilizing the County Sheriff department. Now I didn’t want to mention that tonight because I don’t know who the Sheriff’s going to be. After that, I wanted to bring it back, have a special meeting, discuss and see what to do.”
Washington did not express a favorite in the Sheriff’s election on Aug. 6, but before reducing his police department, he wanted a chance to talk with the Sheriff. Incumbent Charles Jones, also the former Friars Point police chief, was declared the official winner of the race Wednesday morning.
Washington said other communities in Coahoma County were trying to get ahead of things by reducing their police departments before a financial crisis hits.
However, he made it clear nothing was finalized.
“We’re in the discussion stages of it now,” he said.
Alderman Thomas Williams said he agreed with Washington’s proposal after the meeting, noting it was strictly for financial reasons, not the performance of Friars Point officers.
“I’m for it because of the $99,000 debt — anything that will help the town save money,” Williams said. “The Sheriff’s department, they always come out anytime you call, morning, evening, night, whatever time they call. Just call and they help you out. They’ve been very helpful.”
Washington said the town has lost 55 percent of its income, which was no one’s fault.
“There are things you once were able to do that you’re not able to do now,” he said.
The Mayor specifically said money had to be spent to renovate city hall or it would have been closed down.
“This place here has not had anything done to it since it was built,” Washington said.
The police may not be the only department in Friars Point seeing cuts in the near future.
“We’re going to have to do some cutting in our maintenance department,” Washington said. “There’s no need to have people working for you on your staff when they aren’t doing anything. They act as if they don’t want to work. When you turn your back, they go over here.”
The board also voted to pay $47,500 for two new police vehicles to Landers from Southaven and Kirk from Grenada.
The first $35,000 came from a United States Department of Agriculture grant and the city paid the other $12,500.
