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February 6, 2023: Meridian Star: Sheriff looks to buy TASERs, transport vehicles
Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department is looking to make new equipment purchases with plans to buy two new vehicles and upgraded TASERS.
In a meeting Monday, Sheriff Billy Sollie asked the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors to approve the purchase of a 2021 Ford Cargo Van. Sollie said the van would be used to transport inmates.
“We are in desperate need of a transport van to transport large numbers of inmates to MDOC’s custody,” he said.
Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department is looking to make new equipment purchases with plans to buy two new vehicles and upgraded TASERS.
In a meeting Monday, Sheriff Billy Sollie asked the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors to approve the purchase of a 2021 Ford Cargo Van. Sollie said the van would be used to transport inmates.
“We are in desperate need of a transport van to transport large numbers of inmates to MDOC’s custody,” he said.
October 6, 2014: WTOK reported : Future of East Mississippi Drug Task Force Uncertain
The East Mississippi Drug Task Force was created in 1992 as part of a local agreement between the city and the attorney general. Since then, the task force has been operating on grant money from Washington D.C., but that could soon change, as Lauderdale County Sheriff Billie Sollie says that the future of the task force is unclear following the expiration of a grant on December 31st of this year.
The East Mississippi Drug Task Force was created in 1992 as part of a local agreement between the city and the attorney general. Since then, the task force has been operating on grant money from Washington D.C., but that could soon change, as Lauderdale County Sheriff Billie Sollie says that the future of the task force is unclear following the expiration of a grant on December 31st of this year.
Jan 13, 2015: Meridian Star: Sollie: New gang in town
Lauderdale County Sheriff Billie Sollie said local law enforcement officers have a new gang to contend with, "We have discovered a new gang, the Mossy Oak Gang," Sollie said during his report to the city and county officials attending the Monday lunch meeting.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Billie Sollie said local law enforcement officers have a new gang to contend with, "We have discovered a new gang, the Mossy Oak Gang," Sollie said during his report to the city and county officials attending the Monday lunch meeting.
Jan 28, 2015: WTOK reports that Rural Radar is being debated. Among the supporters for the use of radar by county sheriff departments are Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie and Kemper County Sheriff James Moore.
Jan 31, 2015: Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie recently sat down with the Meridian Star to talk about the state of his department and law enforcement around the nation.
Here are some of the statistics he compiled for 2014:
• Deputies served 3,175 documents, according to justice, chancery and county courts Sollie said. Deputies also investigated 482 vehicle accidents; issued 5,827 moving violations; 1,940 seat belt violations and 173 child restraint citations.
"We were able to remove 443 impaired (DUI) drivers from the road," Sollie said. "The number of people injured or killed by these drivers continues to decrease. It continues to be lower than most counties in the state."
• Last year was also the first year the department's crisis intervention team was full active.
"These deputies have received special training for dealing with individuals suffering a mental issue," Sollie said.
There were 174 calls for such crises. Of those, in 86 instances, the situation deescalated without incident or arrest, 39 were carried to a local emergency room and 46 were carried to a Central Mississippi Residential Center. Only three were arrested.
• Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 585 into law on March 31. The bill, which took effect July 1, increased the minimum amount of property or money stolen needed to trigger a felony charge of grand larceny from $500 to $1,000. It also reduced punishments for probation violators and reduced some drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. The bill's supporters said it would make the criminal justice system less expensive, more efficient and less crowded, as well as save tax payers $266 million over the next decade.
Here are some of the statistics he compiled for 2014:
• Deputies served 3,175 documents, according to justice, chancery and county courts Sollie said. Deputies also investigated 482 vehicle accidents; issued 5,827 moving violations; 1,940 seat belt violations and 173 child restraint citations.
"We were able to remove 443 impaired (DUI) drivers from the road," Sollie said. "The number of people injured or killed by these drivers continues to decrease. It continues to be lower than most counties in the state."
• Last year was also the first year the department's crisis intervention team was full active.
"These deputies have received special training for dealing with individuals suffering a mental issue," Sollie said.
There were 174 calls for such crises. Of those, in 86 instances, the situation deescalated without incident or arrest, 39 were carried to a local emergency room and 46 were carried to a Central Mississippi Residential Center. Only three were arrested.
• Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 585 into law on March 31. The bill, which took effect July 1, increased the minimum amount of property or money stolen needed to trigger a felony charge of grand larceny from $500 to $1,000. It also reduced punishments for probation violators and reduced some drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. The bill's supporters said it would make the criminal justice system less expensive, more efficient and less crowded, as well as save tax payers $266 million over the next decade.
Apr 19, 2015: Reaction to new gun: Meridian Star reports: Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie agrees that training should always be a thought when dealing with firearms.
“Efficiency of the weapon is my priority," Sollie said. "Being mentally prepared for the consequences of discharging that weapon and the end result of where that bullet hits. If you miss your intended target and strike an innocent person, you have to emotionally and psychologically live with that for the rest of your life.”
Sollie said firearms training is readily available.
“I don't want to endorse anyone in particular but I know the Lauderdale Association of Women shooters still have courses; and I know Modern Outfitters has an indoor range that provides the NRA courses," Sollie said. "There are multiple opportunities for people who seek NRA training courses.”
“Efficiency of the weapon is my priority," Sollie said. "Being mentally prepared for the consequences of discharging that weapon and the end result of where that bullet hits. If you miss your intended target and strike an innocent person, you have to emotionally and psychologically live with that for the rest of your life.”
Sollie said firearms training is readily available.
“I don't want to endorse anyone in particular but I know the Lauderdale Association of Women shooters still have courses; and I know Modern Outfitters has an indoor range that provides the NRA courses," Sollie said. "There are multiple opportunities for people who seek NRA training courses.”
Apr 19, 2015: Lauderdale County Sheriff Billy Sollie tells Meridian Star: "I'm not in favor of it because of safety to others: operating motor vehicles, firearms, caring for children in homes. I'm sure the debate will continue," Sollie said. "One can definitely make that argument that increased availability could lead to increased criminal behavior."
Mar 8, 2016: Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors approved a request from Sheriff Billy Sollie to send Deputy Clifford Holloway and his K-9 partner, Aaron, to attend training for certification in narcotics detection and patrol that is currently under way in Kaplan, La. Cost of the training is $655 and will be paid for out of the budget.