Residents, community stakeholders attend public meeting Thursday to address possibility of citywide curfew
Published 10:03 am Friday, January 31, 2025
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Atmore residents and community stakeholders packed out the city’s auditorium Thursday night during a public meeting to address the possibility of a citywide curfew.
Police Chief Chuck Brooks led the hour-long meeting, which also featured community feedback as well.
“We’re here to talk today, and have an open discussion about recent events that have occurred in our city,” Brooks said. “I ask you if you would have a good, open dialogue or have suggestions on how we can eliminate the violence that’s going on in our great city.”
Three months ago, 49 shell casings were found outside of a residence on 4th Avenue. Then, two shootings occurred within a span of a month on Ashley Street.
Brooks said the easiest part about being law enforcement is putting handcuffs on somebody. He added the hard part is successfully prosecuting them in court.
Brooks said good science, eye witnesses and good technology are needed to prosecute the offenders to the fullest extent of the law.
Brooks said the police department depends on the city’s residents.
“Nobody loves this city more than I,” he said. “I am concerned about what is going on this day and time.”
Brooks spoke about the possibility of a curfew, adding that he’s not pushing or advocating for a curfew. He said he’s researched the idea of a curfew over the last three weeks, and said he’s been told the good, bad and ugly of the concept.
“OK, so what are we going to enact this curfew in a certain part of town?” Brooks said. “I don’t think so. What age demographic are we going to try to target? Juveniles? I can tell you that some of my investigations that I’ve uncovered so far are adults.”
Brooks said this is a community problem.
“This is not a black problem,” he said. “This is not a white problem. This is a community problem. I don’t have all the answers. There was one perfect person on this earth, and that was Jesus Christ. And I’m not him. I don’t have a magic wand. I can’t wave this, and solve this. We need your help.”
Brooks then displayed a power point presentation, which included potential solutions to curve the violence and statistics from the department over the last three months.
During the last three months, the APD has responded to 2,697 calls, performed 2,278 close patrols, made 1,683 traffic stops, seized 30 firearms, served 274 citations and made 234 arrests.
“That’s in three months, folks,” Brooks said, adding that the six department investigators’ plates are full. “As you can see, they’ve been a little busy.”
Brooks then displayed where the department has responded to regarding recent shots fired calls. The grid displayed five sections.
“Does it only happen in zone two? No,” he said.
Brooks asked the crowd who was for or against a curfew. A few hands shot up on both inquiries.
Brooks said a curfew would put a tremendous strain on the department.
Potential solutions included a neighborhood watch, Project Eye, crime stoppers and an anonymous tip line.
“If you see something, say something,” Brooks said.
Brooks said he’s here to fight for the community every day.
During the community feedback portion of the meeting, residents expressed different ideas to help curve the violence.
A resident expressed her thoughts against the curfew, and suggested adding more streetlights and mounting additional cameras.
Brooks was asked about city-owned cameras, and what their status is.
“We have five locations in the city,” he said.
Joey Barber, owner of the Atmore Dragstrip, said the impact of a curfew would affect the community as a whole.
Retired Pastor Alfonso Williams said the problem that’s being dealt with comes from the home.
“There is such a thing as treating the symptom than aiming at the cause,” Williams said. “The best place to deal with human behavior is from the pulpit on Sunday mornings.”
Another resident said this is a community issue, and everyone needs to come together.
Resident Sandra Gray said a solution is needed.
“We need a neighborhood watch,” Gray said. “Our time is running out; our children are going crazy.
“We’re all in this together,” she said.
Brooks said the anonymous tip line number is 251-368-9141 ext. 1168.
He said he felt the meeting went well, and likes the idea of a neighborhood watch.