DEPUTY CHIEF'S MESSAGE

Photograph by: Carolyn Terry Photography
Deputy Chief David Ervin

On Patrol with Picayune Police, by Deputy Chief David R. Ervin

The City of Picayune has enjoyed a safe holiday season, for the most part and we want to thank everyone for their contribution to the safety enjoyed by most all community residents. The holidays can be a time of tragedy, especially on the highways with the amount of travel that takes place during the Christmas Holidays, not to mention the number of parties, involving the use of alcohol, that take place during that time of the year. We in law enforcement plan for the holidays in a way that we hope will best protect the community we serve. The holidays are important to everyone, but to law enforcement it is especially important that we stay alert to the safety of the streets and highways. The Picayune Police Department worked hard to provide you the citizens of this great community with the safest travel possible to and from your holiday destinations. Captain Chad Dorn was instrumental in obtaining the use of a highway sign, donated by Mr. Huey Stockstill, which was placed on Memorial Boulevard to wish you “Happy Holidays” from the Picayune Police Department, all while reminding drivers of the consequences of drinking and driving, that is “Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest “. The police department participates in the National Alcohol Safety Program every year and the results for the Christmas and New Year Holiday campaign were 33 impaired drivers being removed from the streets and highways in the City of Picayune alone, from December 16^th to January 3rd. This didn’t just happen; we work hard to plan the schedules to allow for the needed officers to enforce the traffic laws, as well as, the criminal laws in order to provide you with the safety you so richly deserve as citizens of this community. We hope that each of you had a safe and enjoyable holiday season and we are looking forward to serving and protecting this wonderful community in this New Year 2010.

We again want to thank the Civic Women’s Club for another spectacular Christmas Parade. This is one of the largest parades in South Mississippi and is always so organized providing a wonderful kickoff to the Christmas Season. Also we thank the Sheriff’s Department for assisting the Picayune Police Department in keeping the parade route safe for all the parade goers and participants. This parade event draws thousands upon thousands of people from many cities and counties in the surrounding areas of Picayune. This is a great Family oriented event and has proven to be enjoyed with very few problems or injuries. Yes, we are blessed to be able to gather for this great time of Christmas celebration with our families in a comfortable and safe atmosphere as experienced by most parade participants.

The month of December resulted in 2,764 calls for service and the following arrests, 11 felony drug arrests, 24 misdemeanor drug arrests, 44 warrant arrests, 69 misdemeanor criminal arrests, and 10 arrests for felony crimes against persons or property. The traffic enforcement resulted in citations for 92 hazardous moving violations, 163 non-hazardous moving violations, 2 child restraint violations, 9 seat belt violations, and 30 DUI violations.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the men and women of law enforcement, until next month Stay Safe.

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