WM Public Works getting in on city’s DETER initiative

WM Public Works getting in on city’s DETER initiative

Department stepping up with Code Enforcement

news@theeveningtimes.com

The West Memphis Police Department Operation DETER (Data Enhanced Targeted Enforcement and Restoration) has impacted police work all the way to code enforcement. The department identified an area representing about three percent of the city with a disproportionate amount of crime. The South Avalon corridor is the scene for ten percent of the violent crime in the city and drawn the special focus of law enforcement.

The letter ‘R’ stands for restoration and the Public Works Committees heard code enforcement has responded to area with its own special focus. Code Enforcement officer Mike Antel said he has been working the designated zone during the first week of the operation.

“We are doing enhanced patrol,” said Antel. “They asked me to work the same area. I’ve already sent letters or boarded up ten houses. I’m doing my part.

Once we’ve done the houses we will start looking at vehicles.”

Getting tough with codes in the zone was just one strategy committee members talked about. James Pulliaum had asked for another focus with traffic study for the corner of S.

Avalon at Jackson. A new dollar store is about to open and the city councilman wants to see the impact on traffic flows and accidents.

Concerns about lane markings, signage and clear views around poles and utility boxes make it hard on motorists at the corner according to Pulliaum.

Since the last meeting traffic counters have been stretched across the lanes gathering traffic flow data.

But until the store opens a full analysis cannot be done.

“We have no conclusions about what to do there,” said City Engineer Phillip Sorrell. “They’ll open as soon as the parking lot finished, probably early spring.”

A quorum was fielded for the public works session. Chairwoman Ramona Taylor, James Pulliaum, James

Holt, and Lorraine Robinson were present with Ward

5 representative Willis Mondy absent.

By John Rech