Formation of a Neighborhood Watch and blight enforcement were among issues discussed at the Jan. 6 meeting of the Eupora Board of Aldermen.
Gina Brown appeared before the board to ask about forming a Neighborhood Watch in the Southland Circle area, which she said “has a lot of crime issues.”
Police Chief Gregg Hunter said he thought a Neighborhood Watch made up of volunteers was a good idea and would add to what the police department is already doing. He said officers have been patrolling that area recently and would continue to beef up their patrols.
Hunter said any resident or Neighborhood Watch volunteer who sees suspicious activity should call 911 or the non-emergency police number, 552-4121, which is answered directly by an officer. The discussion among aldermen and others present also included suggestions for homeowners to install security cameras and hiring more police officers.
The Eupora Police Department’s monthly report for December shows the department investigated an auto burglary on Southland Circle and an auto burglary/stolen firearm on nearby Colonel Street last month. Hunter said during the meeting that arrests were pending.
Burglary Arrests
City officers did arrest three people Jan. 7 on burglary charges, including Kieem Vontrell Bell, 20, of Eupora, who was charged with auto burglary. Cpl. Tyler Bierdeman’s affidavit alleges he broke into Debra Bingham’s Ford pickup at 35 Southland Circle on Dec. 18.
Bell and two others were also charged with burglary of a dwelling. The other defendants are Jacarius Marques “Roscoe” Turner, 19, of Calhoun City and Zamillionan Shaquan Colter, 18, of Mathiston.
Marcquell Patterson alleges in affidavits they broke into his residence at 224 Dunlap St. on Jan. 1 with the intent to steal cash and diamond earrings. Cpl. Bradley Frost also charged Bell with resisting arrest by running away from him on Jan. 3 on West Fox Avenue.
All of the defendants have posted bond pending Feb. 25 court appearances.
City Cleanup
Bruce Walters, chair of the Eupora Cleanup Committee, inquired about updates on previous correspondence. Cathy Embry, chair of the Eupora Beautification Committee, and other concerned citizens were also present.
Walters again asked about comparing the city’s blight prevention/property maintenance ordinance with another prepared by Sam Krusee. Howard Rumore (Ward 2) said he had read both and there was not much difference between them.
“The problem is the enforcement of the ordinance,” Rumore said.
Walters also asked, as he has at previous meetings, if and when the board planned to appoint or hire someone to serve as a code enforcement officer on a routine basis.
“We’re not getting the results we think we should,” he said.
Mayor Lamar Dumas noted that Public Works Director Mike McCain, whose job description includes that of city building inspector, had been sick and the board had not yet addressed that issue. Dumas said that because of the legal aspects involved, he couldn’t put a date on doing so.
Embry said, “We can’t market our town until we get it cleaned up.”
When Walters asked if action could be expected at the next regular meeting in February, Dumas said he would call a special meeting before then “and I feel we’ll have someone to fill that position.”
City resident Jim Brown, referring to the lack of code enforcement, said the continued deterioration of Eupora is driving property values down. Others also made comments about buildings falling in, junk in yards and possibly providing commercial Dumpsters for people to place debris in.
Jerry Gary (at-large) took exception to Brown’s comments, stating the city has implemented such things as a rental inspection ordinance and litter ordinance.
“You’ve got to enforce it,” Brown replied.
Walters said the city should be “hitting their pocketbook” in regard to people who do not keep their property up by fining them or assessing the cost of cleanup by the city to their taxes.
Smoke-Free
Ordinance
Kathryn Allman, Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition project director for Choctaw, Montgomery and Webster Counties, appeared before the board for the third time since May.
She again asked the board to consider adopting a comprehensive smoke-free/vape-free ordinance prohibiting tobacco smoking in the workplace and in public places. “Healthy Hometown” grants are available through the Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation to towns that adopt such an ordinances.
The board eventually voted to set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 3 concerning the proposed ordinance.
Other Action
Other action taken by the board on Jan. 6:
• Voted to publish a final wetlands notice regarding the industrial access road project at Industrial Park West. Planner George Crawford of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District requested approval to do so.
• Voted to allow the Police Department to retain two patrol cars that had been advertised for bids and instead salvage them for parts.
• Voted to add city resident Joshua Lomax to the volunteer fire roster.
• Heard a complaint from a South Dunn resident about oil in his water.
• Tabled a request from Gayle Baker, who was not present, to replace water filters at Small Town Nutrition until she meets with the board to provide more information. Baker said oil got in the filters, according to the city clerk.
Robert Gibbs (Ward 4) was absent.
