The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, and GOP Lt. Gov. Its not about making a dollar, Jones said. Netta Womack tells her story about Brookside police at a town hall Tuesday February 1, 2022. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit, originally filed on behalf of Cory Thomas, are Thomas; Tinetta Jackson; Keyarah Smith; Ben Blackwell; James Donahue; Gerald Smith; Brittany Todd; and Zachary Harris. What happens is when it gets to be so egregious, when you go a little bit too far and you take it to an extreme as the city of Brookside did, it just wasnt about selective enforcement, it becomes routine, Givan said. story of how the tiny town turned to aggressive ticketing to build a ballooning police force that came to provide half the towns revenue. And while sitting in court I heard that half the court was also stopped for the same thing.. Additional Information. John Archibald: Brookside is an extreme example of a type of policing that's going on all over this country. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is the police department that serves the area, where Mike Hale is the sheriff. After learning of those statements, Rep. Givan again said the three need to resign. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. All rights reserved. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. State Representative Juandalynn Givan isnt surprised by the report. The Alabama Legislature this session passed a bill in response to Brookside that would cap at 10 percent the amount of revenue from fines and fees that a municipality can take in. Since this involves a personnel matter, the Town has no further comment. 43 Brookside should consider such a policy. All rights reserved (About Us). Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Thats why I hesitated to fight it. (Joe Songer for al.com).Joe Songer. Brandon McDonald, another former dispatcher the first hired by Brookside after Chief Jones took over in 2018 and created the position said Jones had a long association with Savelle. Her lawyers argue that the city uses obscure possible violations to justify stopping and searching passersby, hoping to add more offenses in a sort of highway lottery to fill the coffers. Everybodys got a story, he said. Its unheard of.. The curious case of the financial income of the town, on the outskirts of Birmingham, exploded into a scandal following a local news report on AL.com last week. She paid the $160 ticket and began to make her case through emails to public officials, complaints, a television interview and elsewhere. The resignations include former chief Mike Jones, who built the tiny towns department from a one-man agency in 2018 to one that, according to data the town provided to AL.com in response to a public records request, included 13 full time officers and two reserves. BROOKSIDE, Ala. ( WIAT) Tuesday's town hall called to discuss issues involving the Brookside Police Department is already causing change to happen. The towns administrative expenditures rose 40% and overall spending jumped 112%, from $553,000 in 2018 to $1.2 million in 2020. Minnifield says he was a passenger in car stopped for driving with an improper tag, and that he was detained, among other things. This is shocking, said Crowder. Seven Brookside police officers have resigned since January Published: Feb. 09, 2022, 10:00 a.m. Netta Womack tells her story about Brookside police at a town hall Tuesday February 1, 2022.. Its more important now than ever before that law enforcement maintain high levels of professionalism and integrity, he said. I just knew that I did not want to be part of a workplace that did such low-down things.. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham has demanded the resignations of Bryan, Brookside City Attorney Mark Parnell and Municipal Judge Jim Wooten. The lowest-paid officers made $12 an hour. The primary function of the Police Department is deterring crime, stopping crimes in progress, investigating crimes, and serving as first responders for emergencies and situations that threaten public safety. Such an appearance is created when a vastly disproportionate number of citations are issued given the towns population, and a high number of citations involve minor mechanical and traffic offenses. Brookside, Ala., may only have 10 kilometres of roads, one store and a volunteer fire department, but its police force has an armoured truck; two police dogs; nine unmarked vehicles, seven. In a statement, Brookside City Attorney Mark Parnell said that as the local prosecutor, he has "strived to ensure" only police charges with merit moved forward or were otherwise dismissed. Perez is angry at his treatment. Theres no way I was going to run that stop sign.. We dont like writing tickets.. A police department in Brookside, Alabama, is facing allegations of policing for profit and defamation lawsuits after residents say they've received bogus charges. After I told him that I would not, he reported that they have two warrants for my arrest. They were infatuated with Mike (Jones) because he was doing all this good for Brookside and they couldnt see any of the bad.. (Joe Songer for AL.com).Joe Songer. The suit also names 23 current and former officers as individual defendants. The issue gained prominence in the wake of the 2014 fatal police shooting of Michael Brown, a Black teenager, in Ferguson, Missouri, when a report by a St. Louis-area public defender group found that Black drivers in Ferguson were more likely to be stopped by police and local courts were abusing their power by charging high fines and fees for nonviolent offenses, sometimes leading to arrests when they went unpaid. Michelle Jones made an official complaint to the Alabama Attorneys Generals office three years ago, arguing that Brookside police stopped her out of jurisdiction, issued a bogus citation and threatened her with more charges after she criticized them on Facebook. Its a former mining town, its population about the same as it was a decade ago. She fought it instead. But Jones was not the Chief at Brookside when he held himself out to be, using deception to disrespect that young deputy. Five others resigned Jan. 28, and Jones second-in-command, former Lt. James Bo Savelle III, resigned Jan. 31, resigned after questions about his past. Brookside Police Department of Brookside, AL spotted in the Jefferson County Sheriff Department District at Roberta Road and Cherry Avenue., And in July, Brookside Police Department of Brookside, AL operating outside its city limits. What I noticed the pattern to be among us is this: If you are in the car by yourself, youre gonna get a ticket, she said. The report was released on September 29, 2022. Officer Deshawn Mark Cook, who worked in Brookside as recently as Thursday, was arrested Friday on charges of first degree rape stemming from 2021. Judge Wooten said he would not resign, and referred questions to the prosecutor. Related: Pastor, sister say rogue police force sought revenge. She insists like many others stopped by Brookside police that she did not run the stop sign at all. He was released after posting $20,000 bail. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Mike Jones, former police chief in the troubled Alabama town of Brookside, was arrested today on felony charges of impersonating a peace officer during a traffic stop in south Alabama. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Video above: Federal class action lawsuit filed against Town of Brookside, police officers Advertisement He built the department from a one-man operation to a ticket-hungry department with 10 blacked-out vehicles, two drug-sniffing dogs and a riot control vehicle. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. In May of 2019, the month Brumlow was stopped, Brookside officers ticketed 75 people for driving in the left lane. Brumlows uncle, Jeff Brumlow, is the longtime prosecutor and city attorney for the city of Alabaster, and a GOP candidate for Shelby County district judge. City officials have said they cannot comment on personnel issues, though they did provide, as part of the records request, a breakdown of officer pay. For Michelle Jones, it has been a dedicated three-year fight. I see a 600% increase thats a failure. Givan is holding a letter asking for the resignation of Mayor Mike Bryan. A small jar that once may have held marijuana, And a small tray that might have been used to roll a joint, reported just 55 serious crimes to the state in the entire eight year period between 2011 and 2018, Pastor, sister say rogue Alabama police force sought revenge, This Alabama county fastens ankle monitors on hundreds who arent convicted of crimes, Life on an ankle monitor in Alabama: $10 a day and inevitable imperfections, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. It is unclear whether the resignations were forced, or if the officers chose to leave on their own, or a mixture of both. The problem for those alleging misconduct is that officers may be immune from lawsuits if their actions are found to be a part of their official duties, Dawson said. He was very upset about what happened, she said. Hed been stopped for rolling the stop sign, which he disputes, and speeding, which he also disputes. But in 2018 it began building a police empire, hiring more and more officers to blanket its six miles of roads and mile-and-a-half jurisdiction on Interstate 22. AL.com in January reported how Brookside used fines and forfeitures to bring in almost half the town revenue in 2020, and how its police department grew exponentially under Chief Jones. A department of nine officers in a 1,253-person town is far larger than average. Read more stories from our Banking on Crime series: If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. When he got to court Dec. 2, he saw scores of people just like him lining up to stand before Judge Jim Wooten, complaining of penny-ante crimes and harassment by officers. Brookside has two drug-sniffing dogs one named K9 Cash to search the cars of stopped motorists. Before the hiring blitz, Brookside's one full-time officer and several part-timers patrolled the city and its stretch of Interstate 22, writing tickets worth about $82,467 in fines. Perform a free Brookside, AL public property records search, including property appraisals, unclaimed property, ownership searches, lookups, tax records, titles, deeds, and liens. She said she tried to record the interaction after three officers in two vehicles pulled her car over, but an officer with a valknot symbol a Norse sign sometimes appropriated by white supremacists on a ring and one of his gun clips confiscated her phone. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. State agents last week began an inquiry and audit into the Brookside Police Department to find out whether it and its officers complied with state laws and regulations, according to a statement from Chief R. Alan Benefield, executive secretary of the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Fifth, the town needs help in fighting drug trafficking. Fourth, Brookside should avoid over-policing and overly broad traffic enforcement which creates the appearance of ticketing for revenue. Jones was stopped on April 12 by a Covington County deputy after being clocked driving 78 mph in a 55 zone on Alabama 55 south. Type: Jones lawyer, Bryan, did not return calls today. People who were detained by Brookside officers beyond a traffic stop. Asked why that was the case, Bryan responded there had been an error, that the heading for the Municipal Court Fund was actually the police department budget. Attempts to reach Savelle for comment were unsuccessful. Vincent Witt and his sister, Tareya, who said the small police department fabricated charges against them and listed them as fugitives because Witt complained about an officers racist remark. Tiny Brookside's style of policing under Jones has become known nationally in recent weeks. Jones built Brooksides police department from a sleepy, one-man agency to an intimidating force of 14 between 2018 and this year. Privacy Policy It parked a riot control vehicle townspeople call it a tank outside the municipal complex and community center. Bill Dawson, a lawyer in Birmingham, said he's had about two dozen people contact him with allegations, but for years, many have been too reluctant to complain. The resignation follows an investigative report by al.com. The town of Brookside, Alabama holds municipal court once a month. Police must direct traffic before the 1 p.m. court session starts. The town of 1,253 just north of Birmingham reported just 55 serious crimes to the state in the entire eight year period between 2011 and 2018 none of them homicide or rape. There's no greater way in which your rights can be infringed than by becoming prey to. She spelled it out in her complaint to the AGs office and in notes to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department, county commissioners and others. He returned to his job as second in command with consent of the town council, Hudgens said. I feel bad for those guys who struggle, Perez said. Tiny Brooksides style of policing under Jones has become known nationally in recent weeks. Suggest Listing I was scared to death even though I was doing nothing wrong.. Those charges include possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to state records. AL.com also sought connection through Brookside officials. In the meantime, well continue to make good on our promises to reform policing in Brookside, said Mayor Bryan on Wednesday. The officer went on to say any more backlash like that towards his police department and itll be far worse than a ticket., I just stared at him, the man said. Arrests on Brookside warrants went from zero to 243 in the span of two years, according to statistics Chief Jones presented to the council. When Jones was hired as chief in 2018, he was the only full-time police officer, he said in sworn testimony for a lawsuit filed against him and the city. The deputy has since also issued a speeding ticket to go along with the impersonation charge.. "Brookside will continue to cooperate with all appropriate authorities to ensure that a full investigation of these issues are completed," he said. The officers, though many, were not well paid. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. She complained directly to then-Brookside Police Chief Mike Jones. Officers in Brookside have been accused in lawsuits of manufacturing reasons for traffic stops, overcharging and "making up laws," AL.com reported. Not for speeding, or running a stop sign, or any violation. The towns own investigator said police under Jones sought out those who they believed could not put up a fight poor people in particular, and those who had previous run-ins with the law. We respect the process and its outcomes., Montague Minnifield talks passionately about his experience with Brookside Police. The town also provided a set of police stats Jones presented to the Brookside council to push for more resources and authority. He feels the police saw him as prey, and treated him as such. Yet the Brookside stories come at an alarming rate. An audit by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts last week issued a report citing Brookside for myriad errors, including poor financial controls, missing guns and guns with no explanation. And the police chief has called for more. She called for the second town hall meeting this week.. Givan and Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway held the first town hall, in which 200 people gathered and 31 told stories of harassment and abuse. In a two-year period between 2018 and 2020 Brookside revenues from fines and forfeitures soared more than 640 percent and now make up half the citys total income. First, it should avoid racial profiling and selective enforcement. Turman said it critical to hold officers to a high standard. Will Ainsworth requested a state audit, and amid calls for state and federal investigations. The goals should include elevating professionalism at each level of law enforcement and civilian oversight. In January of 2014 Savelle was arrested in Shelby County a county south of Birmingham that includes Helena on charges of public intoxication, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, court records show. Jones blamed the lawsuits on ambulance-chasing attorneys.. The citizens of this state and those traveling through this state should enjoy the opportunity to freely access our roadways, he said. The accounts of drivers dozens of them are strikingly similar. The town of Brookside, Alabama holds municipal court once a month. Its very uncertain as a citizen of Brookside now.. Name Brookside Police Department Suggest Edit Address 208 Main Street Brookside , Alabama , 35036 Phone 205-674-9275 Fax 205-674-9547 Brookside Police Department Details Type Bryan did not respond to questions about Savelle, or Jones hiring. Hall did appeal, and a Jefferson County judge ultimately dismissed the charges. But it's also prevalent across the country. No communitysmall or large can do it alone. [Montgomery, Alabama] Former Brookside Police Chief Dennis Ray McCoy, 53, of Dora, was recently convicted of several charges stemming from investigation by the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI), including using his official position for personal gain, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, obtaining criminal offender record information under false pretenses, and computer tampering. Will Ainsworth, have said Brookside and towns that use overly aggressive policing to fill their coffers must change. I think its one of those situations that could possibly bring in the feds with some oversight, he said. A Brookside officer ticketed Brumlow under Alabama code section 32-5-77, which her lawyers contend does not contain a crime. In the second town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Juandalynn Givan and Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway, attendees addressed more concerns with the city's police. Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway said the same. See also: Savelle among those sued by preacher who claimed Brookside revenge. Citizen and officer safety, and protection of constitutional rights, should be among the prime goals of such training. His phone is not accepting calls and he did not return emails to an address listed as belonging to him. Police must direct traffic before the 1 p.m. court session starts. The town of Brookside, Alabama holds municipal court once a month. Another town hall is scheduled for Thursday at 6 pm at Birminghams Carver High School. The courtroom and the parking lot are packed with people. People who were stopped by Brookside police and fined more than the state allows. However, an initial review of the complaint reveals that any allegations of conspiracy are false and without merit and the Town vehemently denies such allegations.. I cant stand a dirty cop, Sheriff Turman told AL.com. 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