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Charlie Valadie met before the Board of Alderman to discuss findings from the MS State Rating Bureau concerning the E911 equipment located in the police department. The equipment is out of date and does not even have the capability to see who is calling and an address. The equipment the city had 6 years ago was digital and up to date, but due to funding cuts, equipment was pulled from the City of Magee and Mendenhall at the request of the sheriff and county. The equipment was removed and the cities had to revert back to analog systems and are as referred to “Stone Age Equipment.” The absence of this equipment could affect the fire rating the city is working toward. The city is trying hard to become a class 5. To bring equipment up to date, the cost would run approximately $26,000. Mayor Berry asked for help from the local candidates running for office. Valadie mentioned Magee PD was ranked third in the state, and the Fire Department was with the top 25% in the state even without the updated E 911 equipment. Valadie stated Magee receives approximately 4500 calls annually for 911.
After Board of Alderman meeting adjourned some supervisors and County Administrator received calls concerning the alderman meeting and questioning the use of the E911 funds and equipment.
Supervisor Danny Craft, District 2, called and met with Mayor Dale Berry Wednesday morning, February 20, 2019. Craft called for the meeting because Berry had specially called out his district and some others during Alderman meeting. Berry had his department public safety heads and Alderman Steele along with media to attend the discussion. Craft explained he was hurt no one came to him concerning the issue before making it public to everyone, and sounding like no one was helping. Craft stated “he was in this position for Simpson County and that he could not fix or help to fix a problem if he did not know about it.” He advised the people present he was very concerned for the safety of all citizens. Craft stated “there is no price on a life.” Craft advised he had an open door policy and if anyone needed to contact him please do. He advised members present he would do everything in his power to see what or if anything could be done for help. Craft did visit the Magee Police Station were he was given a demonstration on how the dispatchers work and how it was indeed a crippled system. Craft and members present all agreed to work together and try and find a solution that would benefit everyone.
