By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The first of several citywide crackdowns by the Forrest City Police Department proved fruitful this weekend with the department making several felony and misdemeanor arrests as part of the first directed patrol for the year.
According to a press release from the FCPD, the department had 135 contacts during the three-day directed patrol which began Friday. The increased patrol yielded nine felony drug arrests; five misdemeanor drug arrests; 15 warrants served; one miscellaneous felony arrest; 24 miscellaneous misdemeanor arrests; 12 traffic citations; one parole violation; 36 field contacts and 32 warnings.
The directed patrol was a citywide effort to control narcotics, centering on known drug areas and areas in which complaints have been received by the department where suspected drug activity has been taking place, according to FCPD Lt. Eddie Adamson. While the effort centered on high narcotics areas, officers increased their patrols in all areas of the city, Adamson added.
"This was something that we were able to do through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant. Through the funding, we were able to increase our patrols citywide. We went from the south end of town to the north. From Edgewood in the east to the Sunrise community in the west. Our officers patrolled everywhere we could think of from the parking lot at Taco Bell, where we've had some complaints, out to the parks and ball park on the south of town," Adamson said.
According to Adamson, teams of officers in marked and unmarked vehicles worked throughout the weekend to make the effort a success.
"We divided teams of officers in marked and unmarked vehicles and sent them out to areas where we have received a large number of complaints and the areas where we have a lot of drug activity. We hit those areas pretty hard, but we also increased our patrols in areas where we don't have a lot of complaints. Just because we don't get a lot of calls from an area doesn't mean that we won't patrol an area looking for drug activity," Adamson said.
The efforts will continue for the remainder of the year with four to 10 directed patrols planned.
"We're going to get as many of these done as we can until the funding runs out. We could have as few as four and as many as 10 with some of them being on a much smaller scale and others on a larger scale," Adamson said.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Forrest City received roughly $100,000 less from its one-cent sales tax in 2003 than it received in 2002, according to figures from the city Clerk-Treasurer's office.
According to the figures, the city received $1,939,360.13 during calendar year 2002. During calendar year 2003, the amount was $1,832,095.43.
Mayor Larry Bryant acknowledged that during budget talks he had mentioned that revenues were down. However, he said he wasn't sure of the reason.
"I have no exact reason," said Bryant. "We had a new (Wal-Mart) Supercenter opening up in Wynne late in the year, and at that time some people in Forrest City decided to venture to Wynne to shop.
"Secondly, the national economy was on a downturn," he continued. "We hope that in 2004, we'll recoup and be back where we were in 2002, as far as income."
A breakdown of the month-by-month totals, which follows, shows that there was only one month, February, in which the 2003 sales tax revenue exceeded the 2002 amount. The first figure is the 2003 amount, and the second figure is the 2002 amount.
January -- $177,053.74; $204,615,03.
February -- $173,245.63; $172,499.39.
March -- $141,281.41; $154,149.08.
April -- $140,434.77; $147,324.61.
May -- $157,156.30; $157,624.78.
June -- $140,000.35; $153,360.28.
July -- $151,192.13; $154,979.28,
August -- $150,707.29; $175,174.27.
September -- $152,373.75; $155,708.39.
October -- $153,130.93; $164,533,14.
November -- $145,575.82; $153,587.19.
December -- $141,943.31; $145,814.80.
A Forrest City man was charged with DWI and disorderly conduct after the car he was driving struck a house on Division Street Friday night.
According to the police report, at about 10:44 p.m., Bobby T. Malone, 20, of 1451 Newcastle Road, was driving a 1995 Mercury north on South Division. He apparently lost control of the car. The car crossed an empty lot, knocking down some shrubs, and struck a house at 514 South Division, owned by Jack Cottrell.
An estimated $20,000 worth of damage was done to the house, and about $8,000 in damage was done to the automobile.
Malone and three passengers were transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City. The passengers were Jamie Leak, 17, of Palestine, Eric George, 23, of Madison and Delector Grady, 19, of Forrest City. The passengers were treated and released.
However, according to the report, Malone became abusive in the hospital's emergency room, cursing at a nurse and doctor. After Malone was discharged from the hospital, he was charged with DWI first offense, refusing a test and disorderly conduct.
The Palestine-Wheatley School Board is scheduled to meet at 6 this evening at the junior high campus in Wheatley. Board members are expected to discuss contracts for the superintendent and principals.
On Tuesday, the Forrest City Housing Authority will meet at 5 p.m. at the group's headquarters at 805 Mann St. The Palestine City Council is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at city hall.
On Wednesday, the St. Francis County Democratic Central Committee is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. at the courthouse to set the filing fees for candidates in the May Primary.
The Forrest City Education Association is inviting parents and students from across the county to help celebrate the 100th birthday of Dr. Seuss with its Read Across America Celebration on Tuesday, March 2, at 6 p.m., at the Forrest City Civic Center.
A number of booths will be open with teachers, students and
individuals from throughout the community reading for enjoyment.
Refreshments and free books for children will also be available.