DEPUTY CHIEF'S
MESSAGE
On Patrol with Picayune Police
By Deputy Chief David Ervin
Photograph
by: Carolyn Terry Photography
August 6, 2008
On
Patrol with
Picayune Police by Deputy Chief David R. Ervin
The month of July went by in a flash for the
Picayune Police Department as we continued to serve and protect the
community in many ways. The police department began preparing for
schools to begin so we would be ready for the August start date.
Now that school has began we remind you to obey
the posted 20 mph speed limit in the School Zones. The School Zones
are in effect from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. throughout the Picayune
School District, so slow down watch out for the children in those
areas. The School Zone on Goodyear Boulevard, 5th Avenue,
Kirkwood Street, Rosa Street, South Beech Street, Gilcrease Street,
and Third Street are strictly enforce during the entire school day
from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The fines for
speeding in a School Zone is double the cost of the usual speeding
citation.
Also remember watch for the School Buses as
they stop to pick up and drop off the children in the community.
Citations will be written to violators for passing a stopped School
Bus while it is picking up or dropping off the children in the
community. The fine for passing a school bus while picking up or
dropping off passengers can be up to $500.00 and up to a year in
jail. We ask the motoring public to use caution when approaching a
school bus and while driving through the School Zones. We must do
all we can to keep our children safe as they return to school.
Training was again an important factor in the
month of July; as we had the Picayune Police Chaplain, Reverend
Darrell Worley, attend the International Conference for Police
Chaplains in Mobile, Alabama during the week of July 7th.
Chaplain training is important to the police department as well as
the entire community in that the Police Chaplain serves the officers
and citizens alike in many important, and sometimes tragic,
situations. We are very blessed to have Reverend Worley serving as
Chaplain for our police department. Officer Jake Schumacher attended
and successfully completed the basic training for School Resource
Officers, conducted by the Institute for School Safety. Attending a
training class, on effective verbal skills in achieving law
enforcement objectives, were Lieutenant Ray Rickoll, Sergeant Josh
English, Officer John Mix, Officer Chris Wagner, and Officer Daniel
McCorey. The training was titled “Persuasive Skills for Law
Enforcement” Also Captain Lawrence Krantz and myself attended
training conducted through the United States Attorney’s Office and
the Department of Homeland Security. David Harel, Retired Director,
of the Israeli Security Agency, instructed the training. This
training was very detailed in reference to suicide bombers and
self-sacrificing shooters. The training prepared officers for such
incidents and how to defend against the possible situations.
Detective Constance Myers attended Domestic Violence Law Updates
Seminar in Ocean Springs, Ms the training was conducted by the
Mississippi Attorney General’s Office. This seminar covered the
new Legislative Updates, Death Notification, Domestic Violence
Dynamics, and Domestic Violence Laws and Procedures. The training
provided to the Picayune Police Officers insure you the citizen of a
well trained and effective police department serving and protecting
your community. Most of the training was of no cost to the
taxpayers.
July calls for service totaled 3,245 during the
month. Officers made the following arrests, 10 felony drug arrests,
30 misdemeanor drug arrests, 54 warrant arrests, 79 misdemeanor
crime arrests, and 8 arrests for felony crimes against persons and
or property.
Traffic Enforcement resulted in the following
citations, 79 hazardous moving violations, 129 non-hazardous moving
violations, three child restraint violations, 40 seat belt
violations and 20 DUI violations for the month of July
Remember, we always ask for your continued prayers and
support as we continue to serve and protect your community. Until
next month, STAY SAFE.