MS Police Department needing patrol vehicle

Mineral Springs Chief of Police Francisco Mercado reported city officers wrote three citations for speeding, three for no driver’s license, one no proof of insurance, one fictitious tag and one for driving on a suspended license.

Officers also wrote one criminal citation for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mercado announced Alex Gamble had been hired as a part-time officer and will only work on weekends. Gamble is the Mineral Springs School Resource Officer.

Mercado then reported the department needed a new patrol unit. Currently, the department has three police vehicles. A 2007 Crown Vic, 2011 Crown Vic and a Ford Tarsus.

Mercado said the 2011 needs a new motor and the 2007 has an issue of overheating. He asked the council to purchase a new or used vehicle.

After discussing the options, Alderman Charles Deloney made a motion to form a committee to select the best option and present their recommendation to the council in a special called meeting, next week.

The committee will consist of Mayor Vera Marks, City Clerk Denise Juniel, Chief Mercado and alderman Earl Hadden.

Mercado said he will have the information by Thursday and delivered to the alderman on Friday. They will meeting in a special session next week.