The City of Ruleville’s police department is now connected.
In its March regular board of aldermen meeting, which was held on April 5, the Ruleville aldermen heard a report from Chief Ernie Scarber regarding the recent acquisition and installation of Mississippi Wireless Information Network radios for the department’s patrol units.
Scarber said he was able to acquire the units through a Homeland Security grant and personal donations. The MSWIN communications system is designed to provide statewide mobile radio coverage for law enforcement and emergency responder teams over a “trunked” radio system.
Each agency has its own special frequency that can be shared to permit partnering agencies to join in to their communications.
Scarber said the system allows him to communicate effectively with his officers back in Ruleville with clear transmissions, without interference, even if he is in another area of the state.
In addition to the new communications system, Scarber has set plans into motion to start a new electronic ticketing system.
According to Scarber, the Mississippi Highway Patrol will be donating laptop computers for his 11 patrol units that will allow his officers to simply scan a person’s driver’s license while on a traffic stop and generate a ticket based on that information.
In other business,
The city officials accepted a bid of $200 for a 1998 white Trailblazer. Two bids were received and that was the highest.
The aldermen voted to initiate the process of adjudication on an abandoned building next to the health department. Mayor Shirley Edwards shared that the director of the health department wants the city’s assistance because when it rains, water coming from the vacant building causes their facility to flood.
Danny Griffin, the city attorney, suggested that someone from the city document the complaints so there would be a record and they can then take it through the required procedures.
Griffin said they’ve dealt with the problem before and it hasn’t been cleaned up. “The problem is, in the past when we’ve put it on the list and went through the process, there’s been some resistance… couldn’t get a majority vote to do anything about it,” he said.
In addition, Griffin referenced conversations and media information regarding the need for the city police to have written inter-local agreements with the board of supervisors for any county they transport prisoners to, outside of Sunflower County.
He said another attorney was conducting research for him. “And if a change is required, then I will report back,” said Griffin.
Furthermore, Griffin said, that at Edwards’ request, he had drafted letters of commendation for Scarber and two other departmental law enforcement officers with regard to what he called, “a pretty significant law enforcement action.”
The officials also voted to support an 8-1-1 proclamation designating April as Safe Digging Month.
