One of the best things about being new to town is meeting new people.

I’ve been in Natchez now for one month, and I have never felt more warmly welcomed anywhere than I have felt welcomed in Natchez.

People here are friendly and courteous and, for the most part, the living embodiment of Southern hospitality.

In the past few weeks, I’ve made an effort to get out and meet with people who play important roles in the community, and, so far, every one of them have been forthcoming and honest in their assessments of the community and their roles in the community.

Every one of them have great attitudes, take pride in their jobs and are working for the betterment of Natchez, Adams County and the Miss-Lou. Sure, they may differ in the best way to go about managing things for the best results, but that’s where open dialogue and meetings and public involvement come into play.

Last week, I had the chance to sit down with Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten, whom I had briefly met during an Adams County Board of Supervisors a couple of weeks ago.

He welcomed me into his office and with his big smile told me he is committed to running an open and honest administration in the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

Those aren’t just hollow words. Patten, I’ve learned, in my short time here, is very open and honest about his policies, procedures and business.

To that end, he lets the newspaper know when citizens should be informed about crimes, whether it be a shooting, a drug bust or the latest scam going around, and he is always accommodating of our requests for information for stories on which we are working.

He is proactive, too, particularly in curtailing misinformation and in working to educate the public and keep potential problems from getting out of hand.

To that end, Patten has taken time to work between parents and juveniles who have disciplinary problems, whether at school or in the community, by bringing them into the jail and making sure parents have to get involved by going to the jail to get them out.

That way, Patten said he believes, both the parents and the youths will realize the consequences of their actions.

Patten was also proud to tell me he is working with the local branch of Alcorn State University to conduct a second-chance job fair for people who may be having a difficult time finding employment because of past offenses and to help people who qualify have some records expunged.

It is important, he said, for people to have a chance to rebuild their lives and such a job fair is an excellent opportunity that could make the difference in keeping some people from falling back into crime to survive after they have been released from prison or jail with a record.

Also, Patten was proud to tell me about a new citizens academy his office is conducting, in which members of the community were invited to sign up for a 10-week class to learn all about all aspects of the sheriff’s office’s duties.

The first class initially had a limit of 20 participants, but 38 people applied so he decided to let them all go through the course, that is roughly three hours, one night a week, for 10 weeks.

In week three, the class was scheduled to go to the shooting range and learn how officers practice shooting and to learn about gun safety.

Other classes include ride-alongs with deputies, tours of the county jail and the booking process.

Patten said he hopes the class will help citizens understand how the sheriff’s office operates, that when they respond to calls, they are just carrying out law enforcement with a set pattern of procedures and protocol.

As someone who has been in the news business for 30 years, I am somewhat familiar with law enforcement and court system procedures, etc., and it is easy to forget that your average, law-abiding citizen may not have much contact with law enforcement and the court system as members of the media and other professions. Such a course can be a great benefit for both law enforcement and citizens.

Patten said he has not yet decided whether he will conduct another round of the academy, but I’m betting he probably will, and I bet this time he might have even more applicants.

Thanks, Sheriff! Keep up the good work.
Scott Hawkins is editor of The Natchez Democrat. Reach him at 601-445-3540 or scott.hawkins@natchezdemocrat.com.