Coahoma County to deputize Clarksdale officers on ‘as-needed basis’

COAHOMA COUNTY, Miss. — In the Mississippi Delta, Coahoma County will be boosting its crime-fighting efforts through a new collaboration between the Sheriff and Clarksdale Police.

“Maybe this will be a strong template to show how the collaboration can work,” Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy said.

Espy told WREG that a new crime-fighting effort in Coahoma County will allow the Sheriff to deputize Clarksdale Police, which provides the County with more manpower when needed.

The Clarksdale Police Department issued the following statement:

“Due to recent events and the ongoing challenges our community faces, Chief (Robbie) Linley and Sheriff (Mario) Magsby believe that a unified approach is essential to effectively combat violent crime and enhance public safety. They have agreed to an Inter-Local Agreement to foster collaboration between the communities.

Clarksdale Police Department

The plan received unanimous support from Clarksdale’s Board of Mayor and Commissioners.

Mayor Espy said the program, currently in the process of being rolled out, will see Clarkdale Police deputized on an “as-needed basis”, allowing both agencies to take up the slack.

“So, where there’s a shortfall with the Sheriff’s Department, the Police Department will pick up and when there’s a shortfall in the Police Department, the Sheriff’s Department will pick it up,” Espy said.

It’s believed the program will strengthen crime-fighting efforts in smaller towns in Coahoma County where violent crime has increased.

But one resident, who’s for the program, is also concerned about rising crime within Clarksdale.

“I’m not saying these smaller towns and cities don’t need help, but we need help here in Clarksdale,” Milton Gardner said.

Friars Point is one community that could benefit from an increased law enforcement presence after 41-year-old farm worker Dustin Patton was fatally shot on Highway One.

The shooting sparked a travel alert for the area issued by the Sheriff.

No arrests have been made in Patton’s shooting. There are no surveillance cameras at the intersection of Highway One and Friars Point Road where Patton was shot.

The Sheriff told WREG he’s still waiting for results from the crime lab.

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