FRIARS POINT – If Mayor James Washington has his way, Friars Point will not hire a new police chief.
Longtime police chief Tracy Vance was fired in 2019, an advertisement was placed looking for his replacement and candidates have applied. However, Washington believes the town would be better off if the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Office handled security for the community.
Washington gave his thoughts on the matter during Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
“That’s to be determined by the board, but personally, if it were me, if I had to make that decision by myself, I wouldn’t hire a chief,” Washington said. “I would work under the offices of the Sheriff. Let the Sheriff be there and hire me some officers and let them report to the Sheriff.”
Friars Point does have police officers and they report to Coahoma County Sheriff Charles Jones. Washington said he likes being able to have officers who focus just on Friars Point with the Sheriff’s office providing help at the same time.
“Plus, the Sheriff hasn’t done anything to show me that he won’t do what he said. He has been very, very truthful as to his word,” Washington said.
“Everything comes through the Sheriff. I might add he’s been doing a wonderful job.”
Washington said decisions are expected to be made when the council meets in February.
“We need to look at our revenue sheet first and wait until the money starts picking up before you make a decision,” he said. “That’s what I told the Sheriff today when he called me about the same thing. I told him, as soon as that picks up, I was going to present some things to the board on that.”
Washington said revenue starts picking up in the later part of the month.
“We can run along here another month,” he said. “The first board meeting in February, we ought to have some decisions to make.”
City gas service
Washington said Atmos Energy has been running the gas system in Friars Point, but some questions need to be answered.
“Under the past administration, somehow they ended up with the gas system,” Washington said. “I don’t know what it is. They discovered they didn’t have any map of the system. They don’t know what’s underneath, what side pipes or what have you. One of the requirements in that is that you need to show that.”
Atmos Energy hired Diversified Utility Services LLC to be in Friars Point for a month and find out more about the gas system.
Washington said the city will provide a place for Diversified Utility Services LLC to dump excess dirt and debris.
“They’re going to pay us to dump in our dumpsite,” Washington said.
Washington said he did not know how much money Friars Point would make, but he heard other towns in similar situations came out well.
Water rate study
The Mississippi State University water division is doing a free study of the system.
“We don’t know if we’re selling our water at the rate we need to be selling it or if we’re selling it too much,” Washington said.
Washington said water rates are at around $9.95 per gallon.
“That study is going to point out whether your water rates are sufficient or not,” he said.
Washington said the study will also determine if there should be flat water rates or meter readings.
