Caruthersville Police Chief addresses community concerns

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo., (KBSI) — In a message to the community, Caruthersville Police Chief Jerry Hudgens acknowledged the impact of negative incidents on the city’s reputation.

While emphasizing the majority of residents’ positive contributions, Hudgens noted that a few incidents can unfairly represent the entire community.

The police department is working to make the city safer and more united, Hudgens said. This includes enforcing the law, building relationships and creating opportunities.

Hudgens encouraged residents to report concerns anonymously by texting “TIP CVILLEPUBLIC” followed by their message to 888777.

The police department values every tip and recognizes its potential to make a difference, Hudgens said.

“A Message to Our Caruthersville Community:

As Chief of Police, I want to take a moment to speak directly to our community about something that weighs heavily on all of us, the way a few bad actions can cast a shadow over the entire city we love.

Caruthersville is full of good people who care deeply about their families, their neighbors, and the future of our town. Every day, countless residents go about their lives doing the right thing, working hard, and lifting each other up. Unfortunately, it only takes a few negative incidents, and the attention they attract, to paint an unfair picture of our entire community. This not only paints an unfair picture, but it consumes the majority of police resources, taking away from the majority of the community.

When people break the law or put others in danger, we will act swiftly and justly. But it’s important to remember that these actions do not define who we are. They do not represent the values or spirit of Caruthersville.

We are working hard every day to make our city safer, stronger, and more united. That includes not only enforcing the law but also building relationships, creating opportunities, and ensuring that every resident feels heard and protected.

Let’s not allow the actions of a few to distract from the pride we should all have in our hometown. Together, we can lift up the good, stand against the bad, and remind everyone, especially the outside world, that Caruthersville is more than a headline.

Thank you for your continued support.

Respectfully,
Jerry Hudgens
Chief of Police
Caruthersville Police Department

If you see something wrong, report it. You can do it anonymously. Text TIP CVILLEPUBLIC followed by your message to 888777 You don’t need to give your name, just your message. This is completely anonymous. Every tip helps, and it could make a real difference.”