Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Questions Raised Again About Gurdon Police Department

Once again the Gurdon Police Department head discussion at the Gurdon City Council meeting.

Jimmy Garner had a series of questions for the GPD when the council met Monday, Dec. 11.

He began by questioning City Marshal David Childres about police assistance at the Gurdon Primary School weekday mornings. He asked why an officer couldn't be sent there to slow traffic each day.

From there, his list included how many certified officers are on the GPD, how many can legally write tickets and make arrests, why some streets aren't being patrolled and how many tickets were written in the last month.

Childres said the GPD doesn't have the manpower to put an officer at the GPS because only one officer is on duty per shift.

Last year, he said, the GPS had a program with students acting as crossing guards to slow traffic. Now, he continued, the teachers can do this job.

The officer on duty is running radar at the Gurdon High School as it's on a state highway. The idea is to prevent drivers from speeding in this area.

He told Garner all eight of the GPD officers are certified and can legally write tickets and make arrests.

The GPD is audited annually by the state, Childres said, and is up to par with the exception of two officers having to have their psychological exams updated as they've expired.

Part-time officers, he added, can run patrols by themselves, as long as they have access to a full-time officer either by radio or telephone.

Most of the part-time officers, he said, have other jobs they work at. Their certification, once completed, is good as long as they're working with a police department. Should they leave the department and not work as an officer for six months, they'd have to be re-certified.

Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith said the GPD can't patrol all the streets all the time and stop every speeding motorist.

Childres pointed out when a police car is moving, it's also running radar. "The car doesn't have to be parked to run radar," he said.

Three officers with the GPD are certified to work the radar. Childres said it is operated 24-hours-a-day.

But, he said, the GPD doesn't write tickets to generate revenue for the city. Tickets are written to those who need it, he told the council.

"The thing about police work is to be seen and let people know we're out and about. We patrol the city, watch buildings and try to be in problem areas when we can."

Councilman Philip Giles asked why officers tend to be seen parked at Calley's Fina regularly. Officers, he said, should be out on the street.

Rev. Paul Sheets, with the First Baptist Church, said the GPD couldn't be put on a schedule where officers had to be specific places at specific times, as this would be impossible.

He went on to say the department could use an overall plan, but cutting its public relations would kill the GPD as interacting with the community is vital.

Giles agreed with the importance of public relations, but said it doesn't need to be done in one place, but should be done city-wide.

He continued, saying there were areas in the city where officers are seldom seen.

Marshal-elect Don Childres said officers do go to these areas, and talk to a lot of people

"We're there. We try to take care of trouble places.

Parker asked if the marshal could help out at GPS.

David Childres said teachers are standing outside at 7:15 a.m., and can do this themselves. "They don't want a car, just a person to stand there. It would be hard to put someone there every morning.

The marshal-elect spoke up saying he plans on working nights and during the day. "I'll put in a lot of hours," he said.

Smith turned to the GPD budget, saying $88,500 was allotted for fuel and oil for 2000, but the department has spent $2,147 more.

This was because the price of gasoline rose considerably from the time the budget was passed in 1999 until now.

On salaries, he said, $170,000 was budgeted, and the department is at 95 percent of this now. If all things remain the same, the GPD will be about $23,000 over budget by Dec. 31.Garner said things are coming to Gurdon the GPD needs to be ready for.

The main thing is a reported 40-unit apartment complex at Deer Creek. Should this become a reality, the complex will be for low income people.

"I imagine we can take care of it,' the marshal-elect said. "We'll do something if we have problems. We need more things in Gurdon. We can get help quick if its needed. We work well with the Clark County Sheriff's Office."

Garner then said a caution light is needed on Highway 67 at Palmer's.

To do this, Smith said, would require help from the Arkansas General Assembly. Highway 67 is a state highway, and the Arkansas Highway Commission would send someone out to do a traffic count.

If the count warranted, something would be done, otherwise, it will remain the same.

"Don," Garner asked, "are you going to run officers where they patrol more?"

"I'll do what it takes to make sure Gurdon is protected," he said. "I'll keep a car at home at all times so I can get out if needed. I guarantee I'll be out at night and in daytime. I'll do the best job I can."

Parker asked if the marshal-elect will be listing his home phone number. "You shouldn't be in the job if you don't want to be called at home. It's the right thing. I have no problem with people calling me after hours and you shouldn't either."

Giles said as an elected official Childres should be available to the people.

Smith said the listing of the number is a good idea and needs to be looked into.

People, he added, don't have to come to council meetings to speak their minds. They can contact any or all of the six members of the council and let them know how they feel.