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City committee to consider extra safety measures
Published Wednesday, June 10, 2009
A fight outside a going-away party last weekend has the Selma City Council reviewing its rules for security at public buildings.
Mayor George Evans brought up the issue Tuesday during the city council meeting. Evans said he talked with the parents of those involved in Saturday’s melee. A fight broke out at a private party at the Carl Morgan Convention Center about 11 p.m. Saturday. Selma police responded to the call, but the fight was so intense, the police called the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department for help.
In the end police arrested five teenagers and charged them with various misdemeanor crimes.
“Nobody owned up to what happened,” Evans said. “My concern is there was not adequate security. There was one security officer there; there should have been four, in my opinion.”
The council Public Safety Committee meets today at 5 p.m. and is expected to discuss the issue. Council member Corey Bowie is chairman of the committee. Bowie said a number of issues will be considered by the committee.
Council member Bennie Ruth Crenshaw, who works with the Selma City Youth Ambassadors and hosts events for young people, said she is disturbed by Saturday’s events.
“These fights have not just started to occur,” she pointed out “We have various factions across the river and on the east and west side. But we talk about it as if it was a majority of our children, and it’s not.”
The best way to prevent fights, she said, is to have some basic rules that prevent youths from coming in and out of buildings during an event or from hanging around the outside.
“Once you’re out, you’re out. That’s it. You don’t let them hang out. It’s really just that simple,” she said.
Evans agreed with Crenshaw about the rules, but said he wants to ensure ample security is in place.
Crenshaw countered, “Put all the police out there you want to, but unless you deal with the parents, you won’t change the behavior.”
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Comments
Posted by catchem (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The center should be used for Civic events, Town Hall Meetings, Seminars, and bona fide organizations and not for personal parties. That is why they called it a Civic Center. Mayor Perkins abused the usage of the Center and just about destroyed the Hotel by allowing personal usage. Most responsible organizations have used security, to my knowledge.
Posted by bama (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about their parents take responsibility for raising their children with a notion that violence is okay. Or are they even bothering to raise thier children? Dr. King's movement of NONVIOLENCE is what helped moved Selma, Alabama and American forward. This crap needs to stop.
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bama: Considering the number of teen pregnancies, I would think that there are a lot of grandparents raising kids out there, and you know there is nothing like grandma slapping you on the head to teach you about violence.popdukes12
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
pari1220; The next time I have one, can I rent your back yard? Please include restroom privileges. popdukes12
Posted by code13 (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These young people needs something to do besides standing outside the clubs on friday and saturday nights. This city has to much history and value to be in this type of situation we need to let Selma grow we are behind in time smaller cities are out growing us because we are afraid of progress its a shame that you have to go out of town to have fun. We have to many resources to be losing out on the tax base that i know we can get. WE have to many empty buildings around here that i know can occupy some kind of business MR.mayor lets start a recruiting drive for businesses to occupy these empty buildings and lets work with the existing companies to help them.LETS GROW OUR CITY. GET on the phone and make something happen give us somewhere to go besides Walmart , talk to a company about a new mall and maybe we can regain some of the top stores that we lost and maybe more. Lets show BOB RILEY and WASHINGTON that we can accomplish things on our own put on your sneakers MR. MAYOR and get the job done start making some economic trips and lets move SELMA forward and remember too many empty buildings and alot of vacant land that somebody can occupy,and then we can grow our police department and our tax base and maybe we can find something for these kids to do beside tear up our city.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hear you code13. We need a PROMO team in Selma to start pushing from every angle. Washington, Montgomery Capitol, Industies, etc. AND IT IS going to cost money for this promotion.
Here's a hint: Competent, Educated, Professional People
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eyeonyou: " Competent, Educated, Professional People" a lot of us left Selma a long time ago. You do have Mr. Vardaman left and I do believe what you are describing is a big part of his job. You may also try Charlotte Griffeth in planning and development (874-2111). popdukes12
Posted by mrbrown (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Selma Convention Center has been used for personal parties as long as I can remember. I recall attending several wedding receptions there in the early 90's; liqour and alcohol was served and there were no fights. I believe the problem lies in the behavior and upbringing of some of the people who attend events. Selma isn't the only city that allows citizens to host parties at their convention center.
I've personally attended a Christmas party and one other party thrown at the Demopolis Convention Center. I've also attended a party at the Pelham Civic Center. However, Demopolis and Alabaster bother had the wisdom to require at least two on-duty police officers to be present whenever an event with alcohol or a party is hosted; not just one "security guard". I never noticed people hanging outside either venue, possibly because of the police presence.
Maybe this is what Selma needs to consider implementing. My belief is that prevention, by having police present before the situation occurs, is far better than reaction after the fight starts.
Posted by catchem (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rose Sanders used it in 1982 for a party with alcohol being used and refused to leave on a Sunday morning, at which time the SPD night shift was called. After numerous demands from Assitant Chief Joe McGrue (a fine man) to leave she still refused, so the Cheif pulled the electric meter and she finally left after calling him a Uncle Tom. In the records.
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Catchem: I remember that, but I don't remember who finally ended up taking her home. Let's just say that it had to be a brave sole. popdukes12
Posted by yellowroseofTexas (anonymous) on June 11, 2009 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It makes me angry when a black on the right track is called an Unlce Tom. It is an insult to both blacks and whites!
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What's the anonym of Uncle Tom? Hooligan/Thug
Posted by catchem (anonymous) on June 12, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
popdukes: I think Assistant District Attorney Nathaniel Walker, who was part of the Party, ending up taking her home before he was fired from the District Attorneys Office. Information for those who didn't live in Selma at the time can be found in State Court Records about the Former Assistant DA.
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