Fairhope, Alabama
'COFFEE WITH A COP'
At his monthly meeting with citizens at the Nix Center, Chief Petties said the biggest problem facing law enforcement over the past 5 years has been drug and alcohol abuse, especially prescription painkiller drugs, like Lortab, which are easily obtained.
While not a major problem here yet, spice could become an "epidemic" because of its low cost compared to natural marijuana.
Petties said it can produce unusual strength, taking several officers to subdue a suspect: "Its a scary thing ... cheaper than marijuana ... ."
He said his officers are undergoing special training classes on how to deal with individuals with mental health (and drug) issues; he himself had dealt with the individual who shot Deputy Scot Ward about 3 years ago.
Petties emphasized the need for officers to always be "on guard" at all times, even with those they think they know well.
He also discussed details of numerous underage drinking arrests at a recent drinking party in Barnwell and three middle school students who brought alcohol to school in a thermos who were arrested before the last term ended.
An Azalea Trail Maid became ineligible when she appeared in a photograph at one such event.
HOMELESS LADY HARMLESS
Responding to a question, Petties said citizens need not worry about the homeless lady who has been living on the library campus on-and-off for several years now. He said she has family and a place to stay in Mobile, but apparently chooses to live on the streets of Fairhope because of the "generosity" of citizens here -- and the city's safer environment.
Several church groups and individuals have offered and given assistance as well: housing has been provided but she always returns to the street.
She sometimes speaks to women, but not to men, according to Petties; and she has been "cleaning up" at the Welcome Center restrooms and Methodist Church.
Petties said recent economic hard times have produced more homelessness and described a local "young man" who pitched a tent behind the library last winter. Another older local man died while living in a gully about 3 years ago, after repeatedly refusing help.
No laws are being broken.
The sheriff's department has wanted to set up a county homeless shelter for some time. Petties said.
'COFFEE WITH A COP'
At his monthly meeting with citizens at the Nix Center, Chief Petties said the biggest problem facing law enforcement over the past 5 years has been drug and alcohol abuse, especially prescription painkiller drugs, like Lortab, which are easily obtained.
While not a major problem here yet, spice could become an "epidemic" because of its low cost compared to natural marijuana.
Petties said it can produce unusual strength, taking several officers to subdue a suspect: "Its a scary thing ... cheaper than marijuana ... ."
He said his officers are undergoing special training classes on how to deal with individuals with mental health (and drug) issues; he himself had dealt with the individual who shot Deputy Scot Ward about 3 years ago.
Petties emphasized the need for officers to always be "on guard" at all times, even with those they think they know well.
He also discussed details of numerous underage drinking arrests at a recent drinking party in Barnwell and three middle school students who brought alcohol to school in a thermos who were arrested before the last term ended.
An Azalea Trail Maid became ineligible when she appeared in a photograph at one such event.
HOMELESS LADY HARMLESS
Several church groups and individuals have offered and given assistance as well: housing has been provided but she always returns to the street.
She sometimes speaks to women, but not to men, according to Petties; and she has been "cleaning up" at the Welcome Center restrooms and Methodist Church.
Petties said recent economic hard times have produced more homelessness and described a local "young man" who pitched a tent behind the library last winter. Another older local man died while living in a gully about 3 years ago, after repeatedly refusing help.
No laws are being broken.
The sheriff's department has wanted to set up a county homeless shelter for some time. Petties said.
[Sometimes referred to as Ms. Thomas by others, her unusually long fingernails can be frightening to young children (according to library patrons). Christine Walton of Las Vegas, Nevada is the current holder of the record for longest nails (10' 2"), according to the Guinness Book of Records.]
OTHER MATTERS
* A community project "Pastors Alliance" has been meeting monthly to find ways to help less fortunate kids (mentoring, fishing trips, etc.)
* Boom boxes in cars are becoming a problem again (loud music).
* Thefts of items, including guns and cell phones, from unlocked cars is on the rise again (Gayfer Ave.).
Comments
It seems. that the focus should be more on the fact that there is an escalated drug
problem here in Fairhope.
gossip, Leave her alone. I bet each one of you are on the front row at church every Sunday....it is about how you treat people!!!