By Billy Davis

Batesville aldermen took no action Tuesday over a lingering proposal that police stop unlocking automobiles.

Aldermen were asked in September by Norman Cote to cease the free service, since Cote plans to charge $25 for the service through his business, Mississippi Detective and Security Service.

Cote said other businesses would likely perform the same service. The businesses could rotate like the wrecker service, he said.

The topic resurfaced at the October 4 meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, when Deputy Chief Don Province shared his views on the proposal. The deputy chief maintained a neutral position, telling aldermen and Mayor Jerry Autrey the pros and cons of the service.

“Do you want to get out?” Alderman Eddie Nabors asked Province.

“It would be beneficial to us,” Province replied. “We spent a lot of time (unlocking cars) and it’s the same people over and over.”

Province then noted that unlocking autos serves a public relations role for the police department. “It’s the only time a lot of people have any interaction with the police department,” he said.

If the service stops, Batesville police would unlock cars in emergency situations, such as a child inside the vehicle, said Province.

Asked how many cars are unlocked in a month, Province guessed as many as 80 a month. He later returned with statistics from 2010 showing police unlocked 846 automobiles last year. That averages just over two unlocked cars per day.

 “I have a concern about people who won’t have the money to pay,” said Alderman Bill Dugger. “If you can’t pay, do they just walk off and leave you?”

Alderman Stan Harrison asked Province to learn the policy in other similar-sized cities and return with his findings.

“I can tell you they don’t do it in Clarksdale,” said Alderman Ted Stewart. “I had to pay.”

Citing public resistance, Batesville aldermen turned down a push in 2008 to cease the courtesy service, when a wrecker service proposed a $10 fee.