DESOTO COUNTY, MS (abc24.com) - DeSoto County is changing its tactic when it comes to getting radar for sheriff's deputies.
State lawmakers have been considering bills that would allow radar in every county in the state. That doesn't look like it's going to happen, so DeSoto County's branching out on its own.
"There are several bills this year, all of those have died so we are asking our legislators to introduce a local and private bill specific to DeSoto County," says Supervisor Mark Gardner.
Gardner will personally visit lawmakers in Jackson to put in the request.
"We're going armed with statistics about the number of accidents, the number of fatalities related to speed and we're just going to plead our case," he tells abc24.com.
County leaders want the sheriff's department to use radar.
"I was a volunteer fireman and EMT in this county so I've personally seen the impact of speed related accidents," Gardner says. "This is strictly about safety for our citizens."
Citizens who've all got something to say about it.
"I'm not for it," says Ed Cotham. "You've got the city and the highway patrol (who have radar). A few years ago, they were trying to get it down in Jackson and said they'd have a radar gun behind every tree. I'm against it."
"They need to do it for the state, but don't point us out," says Dianne Baroni.
"I think everybody should have radar," says Dawn Clark. "There's just drivers that are out of control, who drive way too fast."
Radar bills come up every year, but always die in committee. Gardner hopes this year, with this new strategy, the outcome will be different.
"If DeSoto County legislative delegations, the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors, and the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department ask for it specifically for DeSoto County we think we might have a better chance of getting this passed."
