Yazoo City Police Chief Ron Sampson began his weekly Ward meetings last Thursday in the courtroom of the police department.
Many citizens were in attendance, along with elected officials and other staff members of the police department.
Chief Sampson began the meeting with a short presentation on facts and figures on the local police dept along with arrest statistics, and went into detail about the new programs he will put into play in the coming months.
"Our purpose is to engage everybody and get to meet everybody," Sampson said, "Then we want to get opinions and suggestions from y'all about what's working, what's not working, and what you think would work. That's what is important to us. You are the eyes and ears out there."
The new police chief has hit the ground running since his appointment, assessing the current status of the police department and making plans to help improve how they protect and serve the people of Yazoo City. Recruiting more officers for the department is high on Sampson's to-do list, as they will need more manpower to carry out the new plans he has in store.
Sampson said he wants to start a city-wide neighborhood watch program, dividing each ward into neighborhoods, assigning block captains, and making sure that officers are available to help coordinate the watch meeting and teams in each area. He is also busy building up a crime-prevention unit that will go out and visit businesses, schools, and residences, assessing their current situations, and educating people on ways to prevent potential problems that could arise in stores or in neighborhoods.
Sampson also plans to host more weekly ward meetings at the police department. Citizens from each ward are invited to speak openly with the chief and other officers about issues within their neighborhoods that they have problems with, as well as offer tips or suggestions that may help the police resolve the issues quickly.
On issues concerning wayward youth, the Chief spoke about his plans to establish Youth Diversion Programs, such as student councils, police explorers, and spending time with students inside the schools at the Breakfast Clubs.
"It gives us a chance to spend time with the kids without them being in trouble," said Sampson, "The ones that are on the borderline, we can mentor and talk to. As we get further into it, we hope to prevent them from going down the wrong path."
Sampson continued his presentation by showing a chart of statistics from 2016 to 2017, comparing the different increases and decreases in arrests in Yazoo City over the last 2 years.
After the presentation, the floor was opened to Yazoo City residents to voice their concerns and offer suggestions that may help the police department handle local issues.
One citizen asked the chief to clarify the issue about the department charging for funeral escorts.
Sampson and Mayor Diane Delaware both commented on the issue and explained that there was a misunderstanding within the community, and that grieving families were not to be charged for the escorts, but rather the funeral homes who were charging those families for the escorts would be responsible for forwarding the money collected to the police department for that service.
"We don't mind providing that service at all," said Sampson, "But if an establishment is going to charge you for a free service, they need to pass it on to the officers."
"We have not said that we are going to charge anyone any money for anything," said Mayor Delaware, "However, if it becomes known to us that a funeral home is currently charging people for police escorts they will either pass that money on to us or they will cease charging it."
Other issues covered in the meeting included how to deal with individuals loitering on city street corners, or multiple cars blocking the right of way in certain streets, which can pose hazards to residents and emergency vehicles.
One citizen suggested that members of the police department should continue to act as role models or mentors for youth, especially those within the alternative school. Another person added that a certain female member of the Yazoo City Police Department be made into the Juvenile Officer because of her recent success with youth all over the city.
Chief Sampson agreed with the points about the youth of the city. He mentioned that youth often have a negative view the police because parents will use law enforcement as a threat in order to make children behave.
"We must get to the place where when these kids see us, they are not afraid, and not seeing us as coming to take someone to jail." he said.
Sampson hopes that the efforts to reach children at school and in the neighborhoods will reduce the stigma that officers are the enemy and that it will foster a more positive view for the kids, so they will know that the Police Department is friendly and means to keep them safe.
The chief stressed to all concerned citizens that they should always call the Police if they see something or feel something may be going on in their neighborhood.
"That's what we are here for," said Sampson, "If you are uncomfortable, and something doesn't seem just right to you, call and we will walk through and make sure that everything is alright."
The next ward meeting with the chief will take place on Thursday, October 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the Yazoo City Police Department. Residents from every ward are encouraged to attend and bring more issues to the attention of the police chief and his staff. Anonymous tips and suggestions are also accepted in order to meet the needs of the community.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the safety and security of your neighborhood or community within Yazoo City, please call the Police Department at 662-746-1131.
