Video: Residents Comment On Columbus Police Departures

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Columbus police say goodbye this week to five more officers, lowering the total number of officers in the department to 45.

The city is budgeted to have 77 in the department, leaving many officers to work overtime.

Police Chief Oscar Lewis tells WCBI Columbus residents will not suffer from any loss of protection and services from the department.

Area residents shared their reactions with WCBI.

“Toughest job in any community are police officers,” Sidney Runnels said. “The ones that are out there now are going to be dedicated. If we have 45, they’re going to be dedicated to the safety of this community.”

“The way things are going on with the police, a lot of people don’t have a concern about it anymore,” Donna Hudgins said.

Columbus residents have different reactions to the recent departures.

“It’s not the same anymore. I don’t feel safe anymore, too much crime, too many people dying,” Biddy Ford said.

Columbus plans to make one hire this week but it’s well understaffed compared to other departments in our area.

Starkville has 61 officers and is just one-to-three shy of its budgeted number. Tupelo is one short of its 113 possible officers. Oxford has 73 and would only have room for three more.