A rose to Starkville residents and business owners who have joined the Starkville Police Department’s camera registry. SPD began the program in 2021 with the idea that residential and business cameras could help solve crimes in the community. To date, the program has grown to include more than 1,500 cameras. The program aids police by giving voluntary access to live feeds from integrated business cameras in the program and the ability to request footage from residential cameras in the registry. Officers use the registry to request specific footage from camera owners in areas of investigative interest, simplifying the investigation process and solidifying evidence for prosecution. The program does not give the police full access to any footage or feeds of cameras without permission from camera owners. The program has led to hundreds of leads in numerous cases. The success of this program relies on public participation. SPD continues to post social media messages asking community members and local businesses with camera systems to volunteer to join the program. Residents can join the program by registering their camera online or a business can choose to integrate its cameras by going to the website and ordering an Axon Fusus device to be added to its camera system. We encourage everyone with cameras at their homes and businesses to participate in this voluntary program.
A rose to Main Street Columbus, which is celebrating its 40th year promoting downtown Columbus with a 40-day fund-raising campaign. When people think of Main Street Columbus, they generally note the wide variety of events the organization stages – Market Street Festival, Hitching Lot Farmers Market, Sounds of Summer, Noon Tunes, et al. Those events are certainly important to our downtown and community, but some of Main Street’s most important efforts are conducted behind the scenes, working to secure grants for projects, rally support for things such as The Columbus Riverwalk and Old Highway 82 pedestrian bridge, beautification efforts down in collaboration with the Master Gardeners gardeners, even artwork that adorns utility boxes around downtown. Main Street Columbus is regularly recognized as one of the top Main Street organizations in the state. Downtown Columbus is vibrant and inviting and a point of pride for the entire community. That did not happen by accident. It took years of cooperation and support from groups like Main Street Columbus to achieve the success we see today. To show your appreciation, you can make a $40 tax-deductible donation to Main Street during his 40-day fundraising campaign, which concludes Aug. 9.
A rose to Columbus pharmacist Jerry Fortenberry, who has been chosen as the 2025 Bowl of Hygeia recipient. The award is presented to pharmacists who have an outstanding record of civic leadership and professional service. It is presented annually by state pharmacy associations in collaboration with the American Pharmacists Association. Fortenberry seems an obvious choice for this honor. Fortenberry co-founded the Mississippi Association of Recovering Pharmacists in 1987 and has provided membership, advocacy and hope to colleagues across the state through his leadership in the association. He is also deeply involved in civic and cultural life in Columbus, holding leadership roles in various organizations including Columbus Arts Council, Columbus Exchange Club and Lowndes County Master Gardeners. Pharmacists have had a long history of being community leaders and Jerry certainly fits this description. We congratulate him on this well-deserved honor.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
