We certainly hope that the Yazoo County Board of Supervisors can find a way to help purchase additional patrol units for the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department. With aging vehicles in dire need of repair, the already small department is struggling to maintain a constant presence within our community through its patrol efforts.
If the vehicles are not safe for our local law enforcement to utilize, our county leaders must find a way to purchase newer vehicles for the department.
County leaders are placed in a tough situation. With the sheriff’s department already exceeding its budget, it is a difficult task to find funding or to find ways to acquire additional funds. But the county board said they would exercise all measures to see what can be done.
We certainly hope a solution can be found quickly.
Having a vigilant law enforcement presence in our community is vital for our quality of life. A constant presence ensures mobilization to respond to accidents or criminal activity. With the largest county in the state, a moving presence that is available and ready is important.
Beyond response time, the presence of constant patrol and setting the tone that response times can be met quickly is instrumental in detering some criminal activity. Although it would not eliminate activity in its entirety, it would assist in keeping it from getting out of control.
Citizens also feel safer when they see more patrol presence within their communities. High visibility leads to assurance. A solid relationship between citizens and local law enforcement is also created when we see the men and women behind the badge within our neighborhoods and communities
And with the holiday season rapidly approaching, more presence is needed during the times where criminal activity begins to rise.
County leaders announced during its last meeting that they would investigate what options they have to provide the local deputies’ requests. We hope they can find some resources to assist one of the most crucial areas of our community.
