Haynesville Police Chief Takes Aggressive StanceNew Police Chief Anthony Smith Told The Town Council,
" I want to see loud music down and sagging pants up."
BY SUSAN T. HERRING, Editor, The Guardian-Journal - 07/28/05
New Police Chief Anthony Smith gave the Haynesville Town Council a lengthy overview of changes being made in the police department, telling them his department would be taking a more aggressive stance against disturbance calls. Officers will no longer continue to respond to calls 2-3 times per night. "We now go one time and they are issued a citation for disturbing the peace. That is $150 per person," he said. "When we go back—it is jail time."
Right now the town has no tolerance on loud music. He would like to see the council adopt an ordinance on sagging pants as well. He said, "We want the music down and the pants up." If we can't get the kids, we'll get the parents, but we need it in writing. Officers will also be walking the streets at night. Citizens will not know what approach the police will be coming.
In the past two weeks, Smith said officers have written over 158 citations, many for loud music and disturbing the peace. He said, "We are not just stopping people for seat belts and stop signs, we are stopping people who break the law...and we don't care if they are black or white, but only whether they are right or wrong."
Publicizing outstanding arrest warrants in the newspaper was a great success, and from now on, Smith said every court docket will be published.
The police chief asked the council to approve promoting Jason Branch to assistant chief with a pay raise to $15 hour and promoting James Bolton to detective. He said the department also needs a full-time secretary, from 8-5, to help with reports, answering the radio and responding to calls.
He presented copies of a new 138-page policy procedure manual to Mayor H. U. "Mutt" Slaid, Attorney Danny Newell, and council members Alvin Kendrick, Alvin Moss, Joyce Majors, Renee Buggs, and Carla Frazier Smith, asked them to review it for 30 days and suggest any changes before approving it.
Smith said more than 40 persons have submitted applications to the reserve officer program. He wants to initiate a "ride along" program to help determine which applicants are serious about the position. He also wants to set up a program that will help determine if new officer candidates can pass the pre-test at the police academy before hiring them. Presently they have mostly one officer on duty per shift and, he said, "That is not good."
Slaid suggested Smith present a recommendation in writing and allow the council time to compare figures against the budget, so they could make a decision at the next meeting.
