Crime is down in Southaven, MS, and community residents helped in the effort. The Desoto Times-Tribune reports that community involvement was a big factor in the reduction of crime for 2010 despite the recessed economy. “Proactive citizens, I think, contribute directly to the numbers being down in the number of crimes and reports filed.” said Southaven Police Chief Tom Long. In fact, calls and services placed with the Southaven Police Department were up from 2009 by over 10,000 with 41,534 placed in 2010. Chief Long explains this increase has helped in the big reduction of theft crimes, with shoplifting, non-felony larceny and grand larceny all seeing significant decreases in 2010. “People are calling us about a lot more things and reporting more suspicious activity,” Long said.

Compared to the rest of the nation, Southaven stacked up pretty well, unlike neighboring Memphis, TN. The violent crime index is much lower in Southaven than elsewhere at only 1.08 (violent crimes per 1000 residents), compared to 4.29 nationally and a whopping 18.07 in Memphis. Southaven’s property crimes are still slightly higher than the national average at 36.51 (property crimes per 1000 residents) compared to the national index of 30.36 – but much better than Memphis’ 70.76 property crime rate.

We applaud the efforts of both the Southaven, MS residents and the Southaven Police Department for making the community a safer place to live in 2010, and it is our sincere hope that this trend will continue in the future. Unfortunately, there are still many cases where good people get caught in very difficult situations that result in being arrested from serious mistakes or very poor judgment, and innocent people being arrested mistakenly for crimes they did not commit. If you or someone you love has been involved in a crime, it is important for you to contact a qualified and experienced Mississippi Criminal Defense attorney. It is important to get help to protect your rights.

Crime is down in Southaven, MS, and community residents helped in the effort. The Desoto Times-Tribune reports that community involvement was a big factor in the reduction of crime for 2010 despite the recessed economy. “Proactive citizens, I think, contribute directly to the numbers being down in the number of crimes and reports filed.” said Southaven Police Chief Tom Long. In fact, calls and services placed with the Southaven Police Department were up from 2009 by over 10,000 with 41,534 placed in 2010. Chief Long explains this increase has helped in the big reduction of theft crimes, with shoplifting, non-felony larceny and grand larceny all seeing significant decreases in 2010. “People are calling us about a lot more things and reporting more suspicious activity,” Long said.

Compared to the rest of the nation, Southaven stacked up pretty well, unlike neighboring Memphis, TN. The violent crime index is much lower in Southaven than elsewhere at only 1.08 (violent crimes per 1000 residents), compared to 4.29 nationally and a whopping 18.07 in Memphis. Southaven’s property crimes are still slightly higher than the national average at 36.51 (property crimes per 1000 residents) compared to the national index of 30.36 – but much better than Memphis’ 70.76 property crime rate.

We applaud the efforts of both the Southaven, MS residents and the Southaven Police Department for making the community a safer place to live in 2010, and it is our sincere hope that this trend will continue in the future. Unfortunately, there are still many cases where good people get caught in very difficult situations that result in being arrested from serious mistakes or very poor judgment, and innocent people being arrested mistakenly for crimes they did not commit. If you or someone you love has been involved in a crime, it is important for you to contact a qualified and experienced Mississippi Criminal Defense attorney. It is important to get help to protect your rights.

Southaven DUI arrests reflect the increase statewide in Mississippi, in part to citizens taking action by calling in tips to police on their cell phones. “People continually are calling in now somebody weaving in the roadway things like that so we get a lot of those calls.” said Southaven Police Chief Tom Long. Southaven has counted 50 more drunk driving arrests this year, and along with that increase in arrests , Long says his officers are getting more convictions in court too, thanks to witnesses with cell phones.

Along with help from citizens, police departments are devoting more resources to drunk driving, as Olive Branch did recently. DeSoto County Sheriff Bill Rasco also added an additional officer to his DUI detail. Mississippi has long been known as one of the worst states in the nation for its high numbers of alcohol-related deaths, but deaths have decreased for 2010. Mississippi is projected to have only about 232 cases this year, down almost 40 percent from the 384 cases reported in 2007.

In addition to the increase in DUI arrests and convictions in Southaven and across Mississippi, the Mothers Against Drunk Driving group is now lobbying to encourage Mississippi to follow the lead of Arkansas and adopt an ignition interlock device for those convicted of drunk driving. This would require people found convicted of DUI to pass a breathalyzer test before they can start their cars.

Now, more than ever, it is very important not to drive after drinking. However, if you are wrongfully charged with a DUI, it is extremely important for you to consult with a Southaven DUI attorney to help you aggressively fight your case. DUI convictions can result not only in jail time, but also have serious effects on your car insurance, your job, and your life.

“Cell Phones Help Increase DUI Arrests” by Dennis Turner, WREG TV NEWS, November 30, 2010

As a part of the national “Over the Limit, Under Arrest” campaign, Olive Branch Police Department is launching an intensive campaign to crack down on DUI or driving under the influence. Olive Branch saw 147 DUI arrests last year, and 22 motor vehicle accidents with a driver confirmed to be alcohol impaired. Nationally, 32 percent of fatalities in motor vehicle accidents involve a driver with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. “All too often, innocent, law-abiding people suffer tragic consequences and the loss of loved ones due to this careless disregard for human life,” said Olive Branch Police Chief Don Gammage. “Because we’re committed to ending the carnage, we’re intensifying enforcement during the crackdown.”

Officers will conduct DUI specific checkpoints, and areas such as Goodman Road near Davidson, State Hwy. 178 near Old Craft Road, Goodman Road near Alexander and State Hwy. 305 near Church Road will be patrolled heavily, especially during high-risk nighttime hours reports the DeSoto Times-Tribune. During the crackdown period, Aug. 20 through Sept. 6, officers will arrest anyone they find driving impaired, no one will get off with a warning. “Our message is simple,” said Gammage. “If we find you driving impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions. ”

According to the Olive Branch Police Department, violators often face jail time, loss of their driver’s license, increased insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work and potential job loss. “Driving impaired is simply not worth all the consequences. So don’t take the chance,” Police Chief Gammage said. “Remember, if you are over the limit, you’re under arrest.” Because of this, if you or anyone you know is charged with a DUI, it is very important to seek the representation of an experienced Mississippi DUI attorney to aggressively protect your best interests.