JURY SUGGESTS ALL DRUG CASES GO TO COUNTY

In a novel recommendation, members of the October grand jury wrote a report
suggesting the Warren County Sheriff's Department handle all local
narcotics cases as a money-saving step.

"Funds could be given to one department instead of two, and you could save
money that way," a grand juror said.

Grand jurors indicated their recommendation was not meant to slight the
Vicksburg Police Department's handling of drug cases. "We were impressed
with the job they did," another said of both local law-enforcement agencies.

Asked whether the recommendation to consolidate the two agencies'
jurisdictions for narcotics enforcement was suggested to them only by an
official, one juror said the panel "came up with it on our own."

The sheriff's department has criminal jurisdiction throughout the entire
county, including within the city limits of Vicksburg. Police Chief Tommy
Moffett said that while he welcomes any narcotics enforcement by the
sheriff's department within the city limits, he would be opposed to the
police department's not also enforcing narcotics laws in the same area.

"I have responsibility to the people within the Vicksburg corporate
limits," he said. "I would be opposed to not having a full-service police
department. If we didn't have a narcotics unit, we wouldn't be a
full-service police department."

Sheriff Martin Pace said that, with countywide jurisdiction, his department
"occasionally works cases in the city limits anyway, but it's never been
discussed that the city would play a diminished role in narcotics enforcement."

"Chief Moffett and I work well together where both agencies are involved in
joint operations," he said.

In addition to weighing evidence in felony criminal cases, grand juries are
charged with reviewing crime and law enforcement generally and inspecting
the books and records of public officials and the condition of public
buildings.

They typically have the opportunity to meet with city or county public
officials of their choosing. This week's grand jury, which was in session
Monday through Thursday in the Warren County Courthouse, met with Pace,
Moffett, Vicksburg Mayor Laurence Leyens, Warren County Board of
Supervisors President Richard George, Supervisors Bill Lauderdale, Michael
Mayfield and David McDonald, Warren County Prosecutor Johnny Price and
District Attorney Gil Martin.

The panel that delivered its report Thursday was the last of four scheduled
for this year.

Judge Isadore Patrick, who presided over the grand jury's session, said
county and city authorities take the recommendations seriously.

"They try to implement those that they can," he said, adding that they are
sometimes limited by financial and legal restraints.

In other matters, the panel: . Recommended that the Board of Supervisors
"pursue the authorization of road traffic radar by Warren County Law
Enforcement." . Recommended that greater emphasis be placed on the
"involvement of our Youth in Community Affairs," suggesting Leyens promote
programs such as those involving volunteer mentors. . Recommended "better
maintenance of our public playgrounds." . Recommended that "the appropriate
government entity explore the feasibility of the seizure of property owned
by convicted felons." . Recommended that a "Consent to Search" form be made
mandatory for any search by law-enforcement officers. The grand jury also
echoed its predecessors in: . Commending Pace and his staff for their
"excellent service" and "cleanliness and upkeep of the jail." . Commending
Moffett for positive changes made "in the reorganization of the Police
Department" and the increased emphasis on basic-skills training for
officers, and recommended that such training continue. . Recommending that
all citizens "join in an outcry to their state and local representatives to
fund programs that will enable the Youth Services to perform their jobs
effectively."