The mayor and aldermen continue to hear more complaints about loud, speeding cars on city thoroughfares, but they acknowledged how difficult it is to crack down on them when there’s only four police patrol officers per shift.
“The Natchez Police Department can only do so much,” said Alderman Billie Joe Frazier, a retired NPD officer. “It’s hard for these police officers to be at all these different places at one time.”
Prompted Tuesday by Jackie Wild expressing concerns about people “drag-racing” by her Homochitto Street residence, Mayor Dan Gibson and aldermen extensively discussed the problem they said has become widespread in Natchez. Gibson urged residents to call E911 if they witness high-speed vehicles so police officers can try to catch the violators. “I want to see tickets written,” he said.
However, aldermen noted that’s easier said than done. “I don’t know the solution. You can’t police this out,” said Alderman Felicia Bridgewater Irving.
Natchez Police Chief Lee Best said he’s stepping up enforcement efforts against revved-up drivers racing throughout town. “It’s being addressed, but it can’t be done overnight,” he said.
Noting how difficult it is to catch speeders loudly disturbing city neighborhoods, Alderman Curtis Moroney said it’s more of a “cultural issue” and a “lack of respect for other people” that’s hard to police.
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