Artur Davis Criticizes Mayor Strange Over Weekend Violence
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Montgomery mayoral candidate Artur Davis is criticizing Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange over a violent holiday weekend in the city.
Davis says violence that took place across the city especially in the Smiley Court and Malabar Drive areas is something as mayor he would make sure the proper resources are in place to help prevent.
Davis puts much the blame squarely on the mayor’s office and Todd Strange.
And while Davis praised new police chief Ernest Finley’s work so far, he said more can be done.
Alabama News Network contacted Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange to get his reaction. Strange declned an on camera interview saying he didn’t want to politicize this weekend’s violence.
However, Montgomery Director of Public Safety Chris Murphy told us that city of Montgomery currently has about 500 officers. He said while that number is below where they should be right now, a new police academy class will soon train new officers. Murphy also says that when it comes to cameras in the affected neighborhoods, it’s not up to the city to put those in place. Murphy said neighborhood organizations are responsible for those.
The election for mayor is set for August 25.
