After recent break-in happening in Weir, including an alderman’s home and a person seen on video in another alderman’s yard, the Town of Weir is looking for a solution – with what they have.
A string of break-ins has happened in the early hour mornings around Weir, and it has some residents on edge and wanting to move.
Alderwoman Javette Pratt said someone was seen in her yard and they attempted to enter her son’s vehicle but could not gain access.
“I sent the video to Dillion [Cates],” Pratt said. She said on the video, the person’s face is covered.
She said the person left the home of Alderman Doug Atkinson, where a camper was broken into and items were taken. The two are neighbors. Atkinson said a black bag was taken out of his camper.
“[They] had the bag in the video,” Pratt said.
In an effort to try and curb spending, in an earlier meeting, the board voted to cut back the hours of the police force. Now, they’re trying to figure out an effective way to keep residents safe and stay within its budget.
Weir’s problem is not uncommon, many small towns in Mississippi are facing the same circumstance. Weir doesn’t have the funding to fund an entire force, the sheriff’s department helps but is stretched thin itself, and with not much ad valorem coming in with its main source being Weir Elementary and Weir Head Start, and all of its industry that could bring in more money being outside of Weir’s city limits, it’s a head scratcher.
“This is in no way a reflection of our police force,” Alderman Steve Wright said. He said the two man force of Cates and Issac Newman both work other jobs. Both men work with the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Department, where Cates is also the fire investigator and Newman is the Chief Deputy. Newman is also the newly elected Post 1 Constable. Both men are also volunteer fire fighters and Cates doubles as the town’s fire chief.
Wright and Atkinson both said they wished the town could have another Charlie Burton or Hap Anderson but understand it’s not feasibly possible.
The discussion went on as to how to effectively give hours and possibly bring on another person. Right now, Cates and Newman work 30 hours a month, which averages out to about one or two days on duty.
Newman said he could work the night shift and then clock in at the sheriff’s department. But, with his wife pregnant again, he was limited in what he could do. Wright said both men deserve to have a life outside of work to be with their families.
The discussion continued at length with a resolution being reached of adding 10 more hours, and the two working 40 hours a month and vetting a new hire before bringing on a third man.
“I don’t know if I should say this but if they come back in my yard again, I’m going to do what I have to do,” Atkinson said.
