Over a month after Sheriff Jeremy McCoy said his department would increase its presence at a local apartment complex to deter criminal elements, the apartment manager said his promise has been a success.
McCoy said he recently received a letter from the site manager of Shady Lane Apartments, thanking the sheriff’s department for their presence within the local apartment complex. Altercations, fights and other criminal acts were rampant throughout the complex, which has been the case over several years. But J. Washington, site manager, told McCoy that he and his department have made a difference at the complex.
“When Mr. McCoy became sheriff, he came to my office to introduce himself and a few of the deputies,” Washington wrote. “The first thing he asked me was what my biggest concern was. That shocked me to the core because no one has ever done that. I respect him fully because of that. It shows me that he is taking his job seriously, and he loves the community.”
The Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department began its efforts last June to deter loitering, trespassing and fighting at Shady Lane Apartments. McCoy warned that possible fines and arrests could be forthcoming for potential violators within the local apartment complex, which has been an area of concern for years with outside loiters and aggressive altercations.
“The citizens of Shady Lane deserve to live safely in a crime-free area,” said McCoy said, last June. “And we will do our part.”
“Deputies have been given a list provided by management of individuals who belong in that apartment complex,” he added. “If you are caught outside of an apartment and your name is not on the list, you will be arrested. All residents must have a parking decal, otherwise your vehicle will be towed.”
Washington said one of the first things the sheriff’s department did was become more involved with the local youth within the apartment complex.
“The first encounter was when I witnessed them playing ball with the children,” Washington said. “That really made me smile. I believe that gesture helped the children realize that the deputies are down-to-earth people too.”
Washington also said the deputies have increased their presence within the complex, patrolling day and night. Deputies have also increased their engagement with the adult residents of the complex, questioning their concerns and offering solutions.
“This property has changed a lot in the past months under the McCoy administration,” Washington said. “I really appreciate all that they have done to secure our area. Kids and adults can enjoy the apartments without any incidents.”
