Board approves $1 Crime Stoppers court assessment to be held in escrow

The Southaven Board of Aldermen on Aug. — approved a resolution adding a $1 Crime Stoppers assessment to municipal court fees and directed that the funds be held in an escrow account until the city determines how to use them.

City Attorney Nick Manley explained the assessment had previously been approved at $2 under a cited statute ("statute 45 39 17" as referenced in the meeting) and that local legislation allows the city to add a $1 Crime Stoppers assessment. Manley said "that $1 will be transferred to an escrow fund until further decisions are made about the Crime Stoppers program." The board was told the escrow account will be a separate account maintained in the city clerk’s office.

The discussion addressed whether the program should be handled at the city level or jointly with DeSoto County and other municipalities. The board noted the program’s recent problems and said police, court staff and city attorneys will discuss what structure would make the program most effective going forward. Chief Kern was credited in the discussion for starting a local investigation into recent incidents that prompted review of the program’s operation.

Alderman Hoots moved to approve the resolution; Alderman Jerome seconded. The measure passed on a roll call vote.

The action authorizes collection of the assessment as a pass-through assessment; the city will report it through the court department. No immediate expenditure plan was adopted; funds will remain in escrow pending further decisions.