In observance of National Police Week, a time to remember those who have fallen in the line of duty and recognize law enforcement officers, the Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce granted two of Police Chief John Neal’s wishes.
Chamber president Karen Mckie said during National Police Week, which is celebrated annually throughout the week of May 15, she asked Neal for a wish list of things that the police department would like to have.
“Throughout our week of celebration, we pledge to support them. They risk their lives to protect ours.”
Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.”
Neal said that the department could use a thermal digital monoscope and a Sirchie evidence processing station.
McKie mentioned these items to chamber members and a few stepped up to help make the purchases. McKie and Linda Bynum were present at the Ridgeland Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, June 5, representing the Chamber of Commerce.
W. Randy Keng of John Hancock-Southeastern Financial and John McCommon of Cline Tours were on hand to present a check for $1,500 to Chief Neal for the purchase of the evidence processing station.
Billy Sidehall of Merrill Lynch presented Neal with $1,352 to purchase the thermal digital monoscope.
“I am more than happy to support them,” Sidehall said. “The police department should not go without.”
Neal said the thermal digital monoscope would aid the police department in the future. The need for it came up when a homicide led to a foot chase in 2016.
The suspect ran from police and hid in a nearby tunnel on a preschool playground. The officers could not find him in the dark.
The officers were able to catch him and bring him into custody the next day when he got out and walked around. However, Neal said the binoculars would have enabled them to catch him the night of, as they would have been able to see him even though he was hiding.
Neal said the thermal digital monoscope will prevent something like that from happening in the future.
Bynum also presented 12 Visa Mastercard gift cards and 12 Fleet Feet Sports gift certificates to purchase new running shoes for the Officer of the Month, who is selected by Chief Neal each month.
In other action, the board:
• Accepted the minutes from the meeting of May 14 with no corrections;
• Approved a special event permit for Township at Colony Park for Movies in the Park;
• Voted to table consideration of the architectural lighting improvements to the C Spire building to the June 19 meeting;
• Voted to table discussion of the site plan and architectural review for Rice Road Place;
• Accepted withdrawal of petition and application for conditional use permit by State Street Group Realty for a climate-controlled storage facility;
• Accepted withdrawal from JP Kruger for site place and architectural changes to Ridgeland Service Center for the use of the front of the building for a car wash;
• Approved to declare surplus property for Ridgeland Police Department;
• Approved a special event permit for Mississippi Race Management for the Ella Strong Triathlon;
• Approved special event permit for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for National Doughnut Day;
• Approved East County Line Road rehabilitation contractor’s final change order, final pay estimate and project close-out documents;
• Approved Lake Harbour Drive extension preliminary engineering pay estimate;
• Approved East Lake Harbour Drive rehabilitation/Northpark Drive to Breakers Lane CE&I pay estimate;
• Approved I-55 Split Diamond Interchange – MDOT easement and construction agreement amendment to original agreement dated June 25, 2013;
• Declared property surplus and authorize sale to Madison County School District;
• Approved April 2018 privilege license report;
• Approved the appointment of Tay Morgan to the Architectural Review Board by Alderman Ken Heard.
