Chief: BPD move ‘long process’

Published 5:00 am Friday, May 5, 2006

Aldermen and Brookhaven Police Chief Pap Henderson are workingtogether on a new police department location, but the chiefcautioned last night that the process will be a long one.

Henderson told aldermen Tuesday he had been looking atfacilities in other communities and felt good about ideas for a newBrookhaven Police Department building. In making decisions, though,the chief said officials and the department must take into accountannexation, department expansion and other long-term issues.

“We’re going to have to look out for the future,” Hendersonsaid.

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Aldermen and Henderson have been considering new locations forthe police department, but have not reached any conclusions.Location decisions notwithstanding, Henderson last night promisedno changes in the level of protection provided by city lawenforcement.

“Regardless of where it’s at, you’re going to get the samepatrols and the same visibility,” Henderson said.

At one time, officials were considering relocating the policedepartment to the old Mississippi Highway Patrol building onHighway 51. However, aldermen are now leaning toward selling theproperty and using the funds for a new police buildingelsewhere.

Mayor Bob Massengill said last night he was optimistic the citywould be getting a grant for more than $61,000 from the U.S.Department of Agriculture to assist with the police department.

“I have been led to believe we’re in good shape on that,” themayor said.

The mayor said the grant could be used with $125,000 in budgetedcity funds and money from a possible MHP building sale for thepolice department move.

Regarding location, Massengill said the Legislature approved abill giving 2.63 acres on Hartman Street to the city. He creditedDistrict 39 Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and District 92 Rep. Dr. JimBarnett in securing the donation of the land that had been used bythe state Department of Transportation.

“We’ve got some options,” the mayor said about possiblelocations.

Massengill complimented Henderson’s leadership and expressedconfidence a good location could be found and a facility built.

“We want to come up with the best facility we possibly can,”Massengill said.

In other business last night, Ward One Alderman Dorsey Cameronexpressed concerns about Pizza Hut not delivering to certain partsof the city after dark. He indicated the possibility ofdiscrimination in the restaurant’s actions.

Cameron said a similar situation arose four or five years agoregarding Domino’s Pizza. He said pizza restaurants should be ableto deliver to all parts of the city.

Aldermen asked City Attorney Joe Fernald to contact the PizzaHut manager about the situation. Also, the manager could be invitedto a future board meeting.

Also Tuesday, Massengill asked the board to reconsider theirdecision to reject a Brookhaven Exchange Club proposal to erectAmerican flag banners along some city streets. Under the plan,60-inch banners featuring an American flag design would beinstalled and the club name would appear in one-inch-high lettersat the bottom.

Aldermen earlier rejected the proposal amid concerns aboutfairness to other organizations, community appearance and otherissues. Board members last night raised or renewed objections.

Ward Two Alderman Terry Bates pointed out the club does not putout American and Mississippi flags around town on Dr. Martin LutherKing Jr. Day as it does on several other holidays during the year.Ward Four Alderwoman Shirley Estes said banners downtown coulddetract from the look ongoing community appearance efforts aretrying to achieve.

Massengill said the banners, if the board changes its mind,could not be put up downtown and instead only along MonticelloStreet and other major city thoroughfares. The board took no actionon the banner decision reconsideration last night.