By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
All area police departments and the St. Francis County Sheriff's Department have received free cable-style gun locks as part of a national project to make homes with firearms safer.
Project ChildSafe is sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). The NSSF has partnered with Lt. Governor Win Rockefeller and local law enforcement agencies to distribute more than 280,000 free gun locks, or firearm safety devices, in Arkansas, according to a NSSF press release.
According to the press release, ChildSafe is an expansion of the NSSF's Project HomeSafe, which has distributed 2.4 million safety kits to 44 states, raising awareness of firearm safety and responsibility. ChildSafe is funded by a $50 million grant from the Department of Justice and will provide nearly 20 million gun locks and firearm safety educational materials to families in all 50 states, five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
SFC Sheriff Dave Parkman talked about the program. "We support this program," he said. "It is very worthwhile. If just one shooting accident is prevented or if just one child's life is saved (through the program), it is well worth it.
"The main goal is to prevent shooting accidents involving a child," continued Parkman. "We want guns that people have in their homes to be as safe as possible and the locks to prevent a child from being able to accidentally fire them. We are asking that people participate of the program for the safety benefits the locks offer. It could save a life in your family."
Parkman stated that while the gunlocks are free, they have received a limited number. "We have received 1,100 (locks) at our office. If you have 20 guns that need locks, then you can get 20 locks, but we ask that you only take as many locks as you need."
Forrest City Police Chief Clarence McNeary stated that the devices will be made available to area gun shops. "We are going to donate some of the locks to gun shops, not pawn shops, in Forrest City," said McNeary. "They are not for sale, and people can pick the locks up at the time they purchase a gun that way. Some people don't feel comfortable coming to the department sometimes, and this way they can go to the gun shops and still get the safety device."
Parkman also stated that his department will provide gun locks to gun shops. "I have only spoken to a shop in Forrest City, but if any gun shop in the county would like some, we are more than willing to provide them with some."
The FCPD and Sheriff's Department are not the only law enforcement agencies that have the gunlocks. The Madison, Palestine and Wheatley police departments all have received the safety devices. All the departments were called and they also stated that residents in their areas can pick up the locks at their respective headquarters.
Hughes mayor Donnie Mooney stated that they have not received their gunlocks yet.
Madison Police Chief Jerry Donaldson added that a demonstration of the locks will be held at the next Madison City Council meeting.
The gun-locking devices are a cable-style gun lock that meets the California AB106 standard. The locks require that many types of firearms be unloaded before the lock is installed, providing an extra level of safety.
For more information on Project ChildSafe, visit their website at www.projectchildsafe.org.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The St. Francis County Museum Board on Tuesday reviewed several upcoming events planned for the area.
Museum Director Laura Mazzanti told board members of one event planned for April.
"The Delta Symphonic Orchestra's String Quartet will perform here at the museum on Thursday, April 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. The performance is open and free to the public. Their performance is kind of a 'Thank you' to us for hosting the Delta Byways Banquet last year. It is going to be a unique event for the area. We would like to have the performance on the porch outside, weather permitting. If the weather is bad or we have other problems, we will hold it inside."
Mazzanti also discussed the annual Pow Wow. "The Pow Wow is scheduled for the last week in March. Last year we had a great turnout for the event, and we are hoping for the same this year. It will be held at the (Wiley T. Jones) fairgrounds again."
The end of April will see a motorcycle tour stop in the area. "The Thunder Cruise will be here on Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24," said Mazzanti. "It is a motorcycle tour from Piggott to Lake Village. Last year they kind of missed us, but this year we will be one of the official stops on their route."
On May 1, there will be an exhibit of art work from students in the Forrest City School District. The exhibit will run through the month.
In other news, Mazzanti told the members of possible help in the refurbishing of the exterior of the museum's building.
"I spoke to the probation office and they said they have a person who does window glazing. As soon as weather permits, we will get him started on the house. Also, the federal prison said that they can offer some help. We are hoping to get them to help prepare the outside of the building for painting."
Before adjourning, the museum's business manager, Brenda Fort, told the board about the oral history grant that was given to them by the St. Francis County Community Foundation. The $975 grant will fund the purchase of equipment to record the oral histories of area residents ranging from those who grew up and took part in the Civil Rights movement to local veterans of wars. The records will then be made available to students in area schools.
Law enforcement agents targeting the sale and use of illegal drugs executed search warrants at three locations recently.
The First Judicial District Drug Task Force spearheaded the raids in which three people were arrested at a Madison business and seven others at a house in Forrest City.
The suspect police were looking for with the third warrant was not at home when his Madison residence was raided, but arrests may be pending in this case, according to DTF officials.
The raid at T.J. Auto Repair and Detail Shop on Highway 50 at Madison saw the arrests of Tony Walker, 39, 814 S. Izard, Forrest City, on charges of possession of crack cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and parole violation. Also arrested at the shop were Bobby Ray McGregory, 46, and Robert Willis, 55, both of Madison, on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (crack cocaine) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In Forrest City, agents raided a residence belonging to Henry Malone at 632 Christian St., where they arrested seven people, including Malone, 40, whose address is listed as 209 Brandon St., Forrest City.
Also arrested from Forrest City were Dennis Williams, 37, 603 Christian; Sylvester Norman Jr., 907 Dangeau; Cornell Green, 53, 2292 SFC 365; Bernard Woodard, 40, Rice & Mann Apt. 10; Kenneth A. Farr, 826 N. Victor and Phillip A. Johnson, 44, 808 Rosser St. All are charged with possession of a controlled substance, crack, and each was bound over to circuit court on $25,000 bonds. Johnson is also charged with forgery, and for this charge, his bond was set at $2,500.