Montgomery City Council meeting filled with citizens concerned about crime
It was standing room only at the Montgomery City Council meeting Tuesday night. This was the second city council
meeting in a row that has been packed with people who want a chance to talk about how to deal with the current
police shortage, and the shootings that are happening on a daily basis around the city.
Montgomery residents gathered to pray before filling the seats in City Hall for Tuesday evenings council meeting. “We are here in unity, asking for true leadership, a partnership and to seek and develop a plan to address and overcome this escalating crime problem that is not only affecting every segment of our city, but has crippled every neighborhood in Montgomery and lives far too many, “ said Montgomery resident Spencer Ryan. One after another, concerned citizens stood up to voice their frustration at the increase in violent crime in Montgomery.
“It’s a simple matter of right and wrong. Black and white citizens of Montgomery are paying for and deserve proper police protection. We are simply not getting the protection. We have a current police force of less than 50% of what the budget is for,” said Danny Clements.
“The police have not pulled a trigger and killed anybody. Do they need help, yes. But fussing at them and telling them what they’re not doing is not helping,” said Lorenzo Glover.
“My son was killed ten years ago, December 28, 2013. And this year makes the 10th anniversary. Y’all, I’m drained, I’m tired. I’ve lived in District 5 for 27 years and I hear sirens and shootings every single night,” said Montgomery resident Tori Hamilton. And while they expressed their support for the hard-working police officers, residents said hiring more needs to be the top priority.
“You come up with $100,000 for somebody on a payroll that ain’t doing nothing. Give it to MPD,” said local pastor Ja’Mel Brown. One of the most dramatic moments occurred when Robert Bentz showed a doorbell video of a shooting that happened recently in his quiet Stoneybrooke neighborhood during a party at a home nearby that had been rented out as an Airbnb. “ These individuals sprayed over 50 rounds from multiple caliber firearms, which are heavily modified to allow them to fire like submachine guns. I felt like I was back in Afghanistan,” said Robert Bentz. City council members listened, but the one person who the speakers wanted to get through to the most – Mayor Steven Reed – was not present at the meeting. “I hate that the Mayor isn’t here today. Where is he? Is he hiding?” said Keith McCormick.
