HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. — Chief Virgil Green said since he started there back in early July, there’s been a shooting almost every week.
He said he’s doing everything he can to reduce crime
Tuesday’s shooting was just one of the many that had some people on edge.
Police were called out near Holly and McDonough Street after reports of gunfire exchange between two vehicles.
Investigators said Myron Pollard got out of one of the vehicles with an assault rifle.
Donald Webb, who said he saw everything, said he can’t take it anymore.
“That’s crazy! This town is getting worse and worse! It’s getting bad, I’m about ready just to move out,” he said.
Green said when Officers told Pollard to drop the weapon, he refused and pointed it at the Officer.
That’s when Pollard was shot.
Green said this was one of many reasons he wants to put more Officers on the streets.
“Right now, we have approximately 20 officers. We’re looking to add an additional ten or more to the department. Obviously that’s going to take some time if the Officers are not certified through the state. They would have to go through the academy,” he explained.
Green said his department has also beefed up patrols too.
“We do realize that we don’t have a large number of Police Officers but with the Officers we do have, we’re making sure that we put those Officers in areas where we have a high volume of calls,” he replied.
Webb said he has already started to notice a difference.
“As far as I seen, since he’s been here that he has been trying to straighten this town up,” he said.
Green said the goal is to put those Officers on the streets as soon as possible.
