Meeting with county officials over racism
A meeting was held at Enon Baptist Church at 10 a.m. to ask city officials about chokehold banning and COVID-19 testing. Fifteen members of the community and nine city and state officials attended in hopes of finding answers to some of the difficult problems facing our society right now. Robin Betts, David Cockrell, Becky Wilbanks, Sidney Harrist, Larry Rowe, Mrs. Whatley, Mrs. Shelton, David Stewart, and Travis Ransom were in attendance to help possibly provide some answers.
Nine questions were asked by Mrs. Gloria Phillips, about body cameras, hiring of minority officers, and the banning of choke-holds. On the topic of body cameras, David Cockrell explained that the old body cameras were having problems so the city has ordered new ones that work with the car. Sidney Harrist then stated that the officers at the school on the other hand did not have body cams. While Sheriff Larry Rowe stated his deputies always had had them. Mayor Travis Ransom said Atlanta Police will help the school with theirs.
The question of whether there is racism between their officers. Sheriff Larry Rowe stated he did not see any racism with his officers. He said there were 90 inmates in jail, 60 was white. D.A. Mrs. Shelton stated it is going to take more education on this subject for people to understand it. DPS David Stewart discussed how to act when pulled over by an officer. He said he saw the video on George Floyd and said it was despicable and immoral. He stated that he has not seen any problem with his officers.
The question was asked about minority hiring. Out of all officers, who applied they said no one applied. The sheriff department currently has 21 officers with no minorities. Atlanta Police has 16 officers and 2 minorities, David Cockrell said he has minority heads in his office and they have been talking more on this subject.
The chief of police for the Atlanta School police department is of minority decent.
Pastor A.C. Williams thanked everyone for showing up and answering the questions and stated there will be another meeting.