Helena-West Helena government officials phones are out

HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. — An Arkansas city has lost government and emergency phone service. Some say it’s because the phone bill wasn’t paid.

Police, fire and government phone lines are down in Helena-West Helena Monday night.

The Phillips County Sheriff’s Office has been authorized by a judge to take over all emergency communications.

“We have the resources to handle it if needed,” said Phillips County District 8 Justice of the Peace Martin Rawls. “And we always want to be of assistance to the City as they obviously have some issues going on there.”

The Barton Fire Department has been called in for mutual aid for Helena fire calls at this time.

Bobby Jones, a former director for the city, said you can’t contact police or fire without calling 911.

“You seen I called in front of you,” Jones said to a WREG reporter. “I contact the fire department no service. And I think from my understanding the bill is about $50,000 or $60,000.”

That information has not been verified.

On Tuesday, a WREG reporter reached out to the city treasurer looking for answers.

“I just found out about it yesterday afternoon so I don’t really know all the details,” Derrick Turner told the reporter. “I just got off the phone with the Mayor and I’m going to talk to the clerk right now. We’re trying to rectify the situation.”

Turner did tell WREG that he was “very concerned.”

WREG attempted to get in touch with Mayor Christopher Franklin but he was not in his office.

WREG tried to get in touch with Chief of Staff James Valley but he has not returned our phone calls.

One Helena-West Helena resident who didn’t want to be identified said there needs to be more transparency at City Hall.

“Be honest and not tell lies because the way it sounds – they’re covering up something,” the resident said.

WREG attempted to get in touch with City Hall and the phones are still disconnected.

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