WMPD announces initiative to ‘Save Our Sisters’
Police Chief warns: ‘You better leave West Memphis’
By DON WILBURN
news@theeveningtimes.com
The West Memphis Police Department has announced a new initiative to combat crime and the recent rash of homicides within the city with the unveiling of “Save Our Sisters.”
“West Memphis has experienced a series of domestic violence-related homicides in the past three weeks, all of which involve women of this community being the victims,” said West Memphis Police Chief Robbin Campbell, Jr.
“Operation Save Our Sisters” will connect victims of domestic violence with victims’ advocacy teams and identify candidates for random welfare checks. The department will be working with state police, the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Ofce and several other agencies to cut down on those kinds of crimes “whether it is gun violence, domestic violence, criminal organizations, or narcotics trafcking,” Campbell said.
The WMPD is working closely in conjunction with with Families in Transition, an organization that combats domestic violence and a representative, Cassie Ruthers, said “As far as the victims, we can provide everything from emergency shelter, nancial assistance, on-scene crisis interventions, appear with them in court, insure that their testimony is heard, we can even move them across the country to free themselves from their abusive situations.”
Christle Hampton, the mother of slain Jakeya Hampton, was at Friday’s announcement and says she’s glad earnest steps are being taken but knows it’s too late for her daughter.
“She was an angel. She was a very sweet, loving girl,” Christle said. “She just had a boyfriend. I guess he just couldn’t take it that she was trying to separate herself from the situation and he took her life.”
“I mean, call me. If I have to get out of my bed at 1 a.m. to come help you, that’s what my calling is at this point,” Christle said. “That’s what I’m willing to do.”
Campbell went on to say “Essentially we are changing from guardians to warriors when dealing with these suspects. We expect to get some complaints but those are the complaints I can live with. We are about to bring the ght to you. So if you don’t want us to get heavy-handed with you, you better leave West Memphis.”
Despite murmurings and rumors in the local community West Memphis Police Chief Mose Walker has gone on record saying that these most recent incidents are in fact “domestic related” and there is no evidence to suggest that any of it is gang related.
Families in Transition can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anonymously if needs be, at: 870732-4077.
West Memphis Police Chief Robbin Campbell, Jr. addresses the community and announces the city’s new “Save Our Sisters” initiative, aimed at addressing recent domestic violence deaths in the city.
Photo courtesy of the City of West Memphis
