Officials discuss reactivating police department in Hughes, AR

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — People in Hughes, Arkansas are going into the weekend with no active police department. The state has designated the department as “inactive” and has “removed it” from service.

WREG was told it was not in compliance with law enforcement training standards.

Two agents with the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training were in Hughes to meet with Mayor Lincoln Barnett on Friday. However, they would not go into detail on what was discussed.

Mayor Barnett, who left City Hall without commenting, did assure residents on Facebook Wednesday that he planned a series of meetings with the State on the matter.

“And then I am scheduled to also go before the Commission in May to have our department returned to active status,” Mayor Barnett said.

Even though the police department is inactive, most people in the community don’t seem too concerned.

“It’s a positive place to live even though there are problems but those problems can be corrected and my hope is that they will be, sooner rather than later,” said Danny VanWinkle of Hughes, Arkansas.

Others say with or without an active police department, life goes on.

Volunteers at the Hughes Christian Outreach food pantry were helping more than 200 families in need on Friday. They say they miss the additional help of the officers in “blue”.

“A few times the police officers came over to help us with deliveries and things like that because we do home “shut in” too,” said Belinda Joshaway, Director of Hughes Christian Outreach Program.

Joshaway misses the added protection but has faith that she will be alright while the department is inactive.

“We feel safe here,” she said. “A lot of time I’m here by myself but the people know us so I’m okay with that.”

WREG reached out to the state for more details on the morning meeting. A spokesperson with the Arkansas Department of Public Safety says the details of the meeting were not complete.

Earlier this week we were told the St. Francis County Sheriff’s Department would actively patrol Hughes and be available for assistance.

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