By Rupert Howell

An increase in local crime caused Batesville Police Chief Tony Jones to seek and receive approval for overtime pay for patrolmen in order to keep more officers on the streets.
Jones’ request came during Tuesday’s meeting of mayor and aldermen where he explained that officers now receive comp time for hours worked over 40, causing a backlog of time owed to officers when officers are most needed.

To emphasize Jones’ point, Mayor Jerry Autrey produced a bullet found on his front porch, surmising it came from someone shooting up in the air in celebratory fashion.
Jones confirmed that following the Fourth of July, 40 – 50 spent rifle cartridges were found around the Patton Lane Park area where fireworks have been shot.

Alderman Stan Harrison noted that his business had been burglarized twice in the past few months while several businesses, mainly convenience stores, have experienced armed robbery and burglaries—mostly in the form of smash and grabs where the perpetrator enters after breaking a glass door or window, grabs merchandise or the cash register and runs off.

A motion to allow more overtime in the department was approved with a stipulation to review costs and results in six months.