Paragould, Arkansas has a new plan to deal with growing crime.
Mayor Mike Gaskill and Police Chief Todd Stovall announced a new police unit would begin on January 1.
The new street crimes unit will have officers patrol, on foot, through areas where crime is the highest.
Officers will be wearing full SWAT gear and be carrying AR-15s.
They will also have the ability to ask anyone they see for ID and be able to question them on the spot over their reason for being out and about.
According to Stovall, individuals who do not produce identification when asked could be charged with obstructing a governmental operation.
However, City Attorney Allen Warmath said that arrests would not be made for people who simply did not have an ID.
Warmath said that the focus of being able to stop anyone for questioning, would be to get information from any potential witnesses.
Gaskill said that the focus of the unit
would be to ensure criminals and citizens know that the police are
there, ready to protect the city.
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