Officers of the Picayune Police Department were assigned to several different tasks during the month of June.

The fourth annual Summer Youth Camp was conducted during two weeks of June. The youth of the Picayune Area were treated to many fun-filled days during which they also benefited from several safety education classes.

The Summer Youth Camp is a free camp for the area youth to enjoy their summer without any expense, thanks to the many sponsors that provide the necessary funds to conduct the camp activities. We want to ask everyone to thank the Picayune area Businesses that help sponsor this camp for their contributions that make the camps a success.

Although the Picayune Police provides the camp, it would not be successful without the generous donations of the wonderful citizens and community businesses. We would like to thank each and everyone for the donations and participation provided to make the Summer Youth Camp a success. There are approximately 127 community youth who had a great time during the two weeks of the Summer Youth Camp thanks to this caring community.

Also, we must thank the volunteers for the time and dedication to the program. Without them the summer camps would not be possible. We will soon begin planning for next year’s Summer Youth Camp, so if you or your business is interested in participating in some way contact Lt. Theresa Milar at 601-798-7411 or Safe Community Coordinator Ginger Bennett at 601-798-0374.

Another program in June was “Operation Blue Line,” which is an enforcement initiative of the Three Phase Drug Offensive, which has been on going since December of 2003. The arrests associated with the new operation total 39.

We are now preparing for our final assessment through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. This will be the assessment that will determine if the Picayune Police Department achieves the National Accreditation we have worked toward over the past two years. We have posted the Public Notice on the dates and times of the assessment’s public information session, which will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 14 in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, 815 North Beech St. Telephone access to the assessors will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 14. The telephone number will be posted later.

Police Department statistics for the month of June are: officers responded to 3,141 calls for service, made 24 felony drug arrests, 35 misdemeanor drug arrests, 63 warrant arrests, 74 misdemeanor criminal arrests, and eight felony arrests for crimes against persons or property. The Traffic Division issued 106 hazardous moving violations, 313 non-hazardous moving violations, 16 child-restraint violations, 92 seat-belt violations, and three DUI arrests. Thank you again for your continued prayers and support, and until next month stay safe.