To the editor:

On Thursday Sept. 13, 2018, the Vicksburg Post frontpage headline was: “BE ON THE LOOKOUT”. The story related how four dangerous inmates had escaped from the state penal institution in Madison Parish, Louisiana. It was altogether proper that a warning was given to the citizens of Vicksburg and Warren County.

Now, on to the purpose of my letter.

As everyone is aware, the state of Mississippi also has small satellite prisons all over the state and it is all too common for one or several inmates to escape. Quite often these are dangerous criminals and alerts will be sent out by television and radio. Warren County recently purchased something over 40 acres of land to build a new jail. It is my understanding the plan is to build this facility to house state inmates, as well as local offenders. The idea being to pay for this jail, at least in part, with funds received for housing the state inmates.

We already have enough criminals in this county. We don’t need to house more from across the state. I don’t think a few elected office holders should make this decision alone. The people of Vicksburg and Warren County should vote on this proposal.

As a long time county resident and voter in Warren County, this is my request for the Board of Supervisors to schedule a countywide vote on this matter. I urge all city and county residents to think about this issue and request the Board of Supervisors bring this to a vote.

The safety and well being of all citizens, city and county, is at stake.

David Boone

Vicksburg