With Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen approval, uniformed Vicksburg police officers could soon be providing additional, contracted security at four of the Vicksburg Housing Authority’s six subdivisions in the city.

Meeting Tuesday evening, the VHA Commission gave executive director Dannie Walker the green light to contract with the police department to provide additional patrols at Waltersville Estates, Rolling Acres, Urban Court and Valley Court subdivisions. Walker and the police department have been discussing the idea since last fall, but Walker did not receive a proposed contract from the VPD until this week.

The pact calls for one officer to provide additional patrols at the four subdivisions from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. at an annual cost of $163,155 per year. The contracted patrols would be in addition to regular patrols at all six subdivisions already performed by officers, according to the deal.

“This is a good deal, particularly because these are professionally trained, uniformed officers with arresting powers,” said VHA Commission Chairman Jay Kilroy.

Though some commissioners questioned the cost as too high, they ultimately OK’d allowing Walker to proceed with negotiations unanimously.

“Personally, I think it’s exceptionally high,” said Commissioner Abraham Green.

The VHA currently contracts with a private security firm at Waltersville Estates, and pays about $60,000 per year to staff a guard at the subdivision gates from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. No security is provided at any other VHA subdivisions. Walker said the contract at Waltersville would be ended and there wouldn’t be anymore guards there if the deal with the police department is approved.

“I haven’t really seen the benefit of it, because if something happens they have to call the police any way,” said Walker of the guards at Waltersville — where an electronic gate also restricts entrance to just residents in the evenings. “We won’t have a permanent presence at Waltersville anymore, but the patrols would be increased.”

The contract will still need mayor and aldermen approval. Walker said he has spoken with Mayor Paul Winfield about it, and the mayor has voiced his support. He also said the police department has told him both aldermen also have been briefed on the contract and appear to be on board.

“We wouldn’t be able to contract with a private security firm for that” price, said Walker when commissioners asked what he thought of the cost. “No question, we can afford it.”

Walker presented the commission with a breakdown of the cost provided by the police department, which figured the personnel cost at $29.25 per hour — as all officers pulling the VHA shift will likely be on overtime — or $128,115 per year. The extra squad car usage would cost $35,040 per year, the department estimated.

Walker said the additional officer would assist in reducing noise complaints, break-ins and overall late-night safety for all residents at the four subdivisions, which include 334 homes and apartments.

Beechwood Estates and Cedars Estates, the VHA’s other two subdivisions, were not included in the contract because they have the least amount of crime and are located farthest away from the other subdivisions, said Walker.

If the contract is approved by the mayor and aldermen, Walker said the VHA also would begin posting signs at the four subdivisions notifying all residents and visitors that any vehicle on the premises is subject to a search. An exit clause in the contract states either the VHA or VPD could terminate the deal with 30 days notice.