“When people know what’s happening, they can be part of the solution” – Mayor Thompson on restoring public access to police radio traffic

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Mayor and Police Commissioner Willis Thompson commended the Vicksburg Police Department for implementing new transparency measures that fulfill one of his key promises to strengthen public safety and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the community.

Beginning November 1, the department will return its radio traffic to the primary channel, restoring public access to day-to-day police communications. The decision, announced by Police Chief Larry Burns, reverses the department’s prior move to an encrypted system made in late 2023 under the previous city administration.

“I promised to make our city government, including our public safety operations, more open and accountable to the people we serve,” said Mayor Thompson. “Chief Burns’ decision reflects that promise. Transparency and trust go hand in hand, and this change will empower our residents to be active participants in keeping their neighborhoods safe. When people know what’s happening, they can be part of the solution.”

Chief Burns emphasized that the change will not compromise officer safety or investigative integrity. Sensitive operations such as tactical responses, ongoing investigations, or incidents involving personal information will continue to use secure, secondary channels. Routine dispatches, however, will once again be accessible to the public and local media, consistent with most neighboring jurisdictions.

“The Warren County Sheriff’s Office uses primary,” Burns said. “A lot of our other local emergency agencies use primary. I believe the citizens of Vicksburg should have the opportunity to hear their officers at work. Our goal is to be as open as possible while still protecting critical operations.”

Mayor Thompson said this shift represents more than a communications policy change. It marks a larger cultural transformation within city government.

“We’re rebuilding public confidence one decision at a time — not behind closed doors, but in full view of the people we serve,” Thompson said. “This decision sends a clear message: Vicksburg is serious about public safety and just as serious about transparency.”

In addition to restoring open radio communication, the Vicksburg Police Department has also launched a new way for residents to stay informed responsibly. The department now provides the public with real-time access to arrest information through a live link on the City of Vicksburg’s official website.

“We encourage you to stay informed by using the following link, which provides live updates on arrest records,” the department said in a statement. “Please note that these records are only available for 30 days: https://www.adsilive.com/arrest/vicksburg/list

Mayor Thompson said these combined changes reflect a department and city leadership team focused on responsible transparency and citizen engagement.