He said people have stories about their cars getting towed and being left on the side of the road, then being charged by both the town and the impound company to get their vehicles back, on top of daily storage fees. Address, Phone Number, and Fax Number for Brookside Police Department, a Police Department, at Main Street, Brookside AL. Police take an oath to protect and serve the public. And the police chief has called for more. Hudgens said she quit as a dispatcher because of the way the town handled and in her mind, glossed over Savelles arrest. McDonald recalled the way Jones ordered staffers not to adjust the temperature in the towns jail cells, so it would remain cold all the time. Total town income more than doubled from 2018 to 2020 from $582,000 to more than $1.2 million as fines and forfeitures rose 640%. "This city is a ticking, ticking time bomb waiting to explode," state Rep. Juandalynn Givan, who has called for other town officials to resign, told the . Another would bar police from using unmarked cars for traffic stops. The abuses that have come to light in Brookside were simmering for years and no one in power was paying attention, she 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. Brookside police made 4.4 arrests in 2020 for every household. Lord, after all this time you heard me. Savelle left soon after, as did more than half the force. The courtroom and the parking lot are packed with people. As the state audit pointed out, such fees must be reasonably related to covering the cost of administration, not to generate revenue.. 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.. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: studiobw.com Studio BW - studio BW The town became the poster child for policing for profit when AL.com published a series of revelations Jan. 19. Baggett took Ubers and Lyfts to the Avondale area of Birmingham to work, at $35 a pop, plus tip. Jones again as Mayor Bryan nodded said the goal of the department is only to help people. Another SUV faced her, bright lights on, and yet another pulled at the rear. By 2020 officers in the sleepy town were undergoing SWAT training and dressing in riot gear, even as the city continued with only a volunteer fire department. Click on a feature to learn more. Arrest Files Date Published: 03/04/2023. The officer had identified himself only by an agent number. "Ferguson made us realize it wasn't just Ferguson," said Priya Sarathy Jones, the national campaign director at the Fines and Fees Justice Center,which advocates for fees to be eliminated in the justice system and fines to be equitably enforced. He complained about Jones but no one listened, including current town leaders, he said. Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway said the same. The town has also grown its police force in size and now has one officer for every 144 residents. Even the claims of retaliation for social media posts are not unusual in Brookside. She did. The town's median household income is less than $40,000, according to demographic data. Locality Locality Code Boundaries Map Notice & Ordinance Item 30 Day Notice Posted ALDOR Posted Abbeville 9356 Adamsville 9130 Addison 9309 Akron 9668 Alabaster 9413 Albertville 9397 Alexander City 9358 Ord. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Code Amended 10/01/2022 11/26/2022 12/02/2022 Aliceville 9301 Allgood 9709 Altoona 9709 Andalusia 9631 Anderson 9479 Anniston 9311 Arab 9448 [] And I didnt realize that until some time had passed.. They went out and got it, in other municipalities, as armed debt collectors. A report quoted in the suit claimed she tighten (sic) arm muscles from getting handcuff (sic).. Not for speeding, or running a stop sign, or any violation. But his approach which posited that Brookside was dirty, unsafe and drug-infested offended other residents, who argued drugs exist everywhere. BROOKSIDE, AL (WBMA) - A federal lawsuit has been filed over allegations Brookside Police should not have written traffic tickets under an old Alabama law. Just 50 cars were towed in 2018, but that jumped to 789 cars two years later, or an average of more than two a day. At least three bills are now before the Legislature that would affect those cities. Search Code of Alabama. BROOKSIDE, Ala. Tuesday's town hall called to discuss issues involving the Brookside Police Department is already causing change to happen.Many of the complaints regarding how police enforced traffic stops centered around officers pulling people over outside their jurisdiction and even police jurisdiction signs posted beyond city limits. Jones resigned January 25th, six days after AL.com published a story outlining Brookside policing and a court system that collected 49 percent of the towns 2020 revenue from fines and forfeitures, a practice lambasted by residents, drivers, top law enforcement officials and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. As Brookside's earnings draw further scrutiny, with Givan planning a town hall Tuesday to allow people who say they've been exploited by the police force to come forward, advocacy organizations are emphasizing that it is no outlier and highlights how across the country, traffic fines and related fees are being used to fill municipal coffers at the expense of people who are often financially struggling and from communities of color. An officer insisted on taking her home which embarrassed her. The Town of Brookside, Alabama, is a municipal corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alabama ("the State"), and subject to suit. (Joe Songer for al.com).Joe Songer, I see her, she heard the man say. We were required to be jailers as well, but had no formal training.. 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). Its a former mining town, its population about the same as it was a decade ago. It puts all cities, towns, and crossroads on full notice that such behavior is unacceptable. Brookside Mayor Mike Bryan is a former councilman who took over as acting mayor when McCondichie became ill. Bryan said he knew Jones made Bibles available in the jail, but said he had never heard of anyone being held because they did not accept Jesus. About Us Contact Us "Brookside is a continuation of that story almost 10 years later. They told me they dont give blankets, she said. The release said the town has no further comment on Jones's resignation since it involves a "personnel matter." Monday afternoon former Birmingham Police Officer Montague Minnifield became at least the eighth person to sue Brookside over its police and court systems. Jones could not be reached for comment Friday. For Michelle Jones, it has been a dedicated three-year fight. Its not about making a dollar, Jones said. 2022-08-08; 2022-09-26; 2022-12-12.2. Fines and forfeitures made up 49 percent of the town revenue, and most of it went right back to the police and courts. But Brookside could not make the case. Allan Armstrong, one of a group of lawyers who filed the complaint, said Brookside violated basic American rights. Over the past few years there has been a sharp rise in the number of Brookside traffic tickets. Not all of them can afford to pay their fines as he did, and some have been put on payment plans. Brookside Police Department, Jefferson County, Alabama. Jones and Bryan said neither the town nor the police department relies on the revenue officers bring in. But Jones sold Brookside a vision of how to turn a sleepy department into an intimidating and lucrative force. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. To report a criminal tax violation,please call (251) 344-4737, To report non-filers, please emailtaxpolicy@revenue.alabama.gov. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. County Office is not affiliated with any government agency. Franklin said she believes the only reason she wasnt arrested was because she works for Jefferson County. Will Ainsworth has requested an audit of Brooksides town and police force, and lawmakers across party lines have called for bills to help curb small-town policing for profit on Alabama Interstates. Police must direct traffic before the 1 p.m. court session starts. The courtroom and the parking lot are packed with people. Brookside, population 1,253, had never even had an annual budget. They seek damages against the individual police officers for wrongful fines, forfeitures, and arrests, including mental anguish damages., In trying to establish a conspiracy, the complaint contends that the town of Brookside, its court and its officers, exist to extract the payment of unlawful fines from the people.. Stephanie Franklin, a Jefferson County employee, told AL.com she was a passenger in a car stopped last year for an expired tag. That story unleashed a torrent of testimonials from people who said they were victimized by Brookside police, and prompted state lawmakers from both parties to call for investigations and reforms. He had past drug and alcohol charges, a DUI and an arrest for public lewdness, according to police records. A former judge appointed to investigate claims of police abuses in the tiny Alabama town of Brookside, just north of Birmingham, has found a pattern of bullying that preyed on the poor and those . They gave me a ticket for running a stop sign. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. (Ramsey Archibald and Joe Songer). Perez is angry at his treatment. 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. And while sitting in court I heard that half the court was also stopped for the same thing.. McDonald was new to policing, but soon grew disillusioned with Jones demands and what he considered broken promises about pay and benefits. Chana Hodges handles billing at a mom-and-pop medical supply store in nearby Fultondale, Ala. She recounts a day in 2020 when her boss walked to the cubicle and told her a police officer was looking for her. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Raeland Jahmille Johnson was Arrested/Booked on Wednesday March 1st 2023. They own the town.. For years, no one had heard of or cared that the town of Brookside even existed and that possibly includes a . She was taken to jail and told she couldnt leave without a $500 cash bond and $206 she still owed on the original offense. 2. The Justice Department is urging a federal judge to let a class-action lawsuit go forward against an Alabama town accused of policing for profit with excessive fines and aggressive enforcement of local laws.Video above: Federal class action lawsuit filed against Town of Brookside, police officers The U.S. attorney's office this week filed a statement of interest in the civil lawsuit against . Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. I wouldnt be surprised if they opened up an investigation. The citizens of this state and those traveling through this state should enjoy the opportunity to freely access our roadways, he said. A 2019 report in Governing magazine found that fines and forfeitures account for more than 10 percent of general fund revenues for nearly 600 jurisdictions throughout the country, and in jurisdictions where fines accounted for more than 20 percent, the local median household income was less than $40,000. Officers, dressed completely in dark, unmarked uniforms approached her, and one accused her of flickering her lights to warn others of their presence, her suit alleges. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Oftentimes, a person's decision to forgo paying a fine goes deeper, Sarathy Jones said. [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. He rolled down his window and said, Im glad you havent needed me lately.. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham has demanded the resignations of Bryan, Brookside City Attorney Mark Parnell and Municipal Judge Jim Wooten. Perez ultimately decided to pay the $1,100 fine on top of hundreds hed already spent to get his towed car back and get the heck out of Brookside. I had to be patient., Netta Womack tells her story. Months of research and dozens of interviews by AL.com found that Brooksides finances are rocket-fueled by tickets and aggressive policing. In 2018, Brookside had somewhere in the range of $80,000 in fines and forfeitures, which made up 14 percent of the city . Find 12 external resources related to Brookside Police Department. The resignations include former chief Mike Jones . Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on an official government site. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Hed been stopped for rolling the stop sign, which he disputes, and speeding, which he also disputes. She argued that she only drove in the left lane to pass other vehicles, and her ticket on May 26, 2019 came five months before Alabamas Anti-Road Rage Act, a law making it illegal to drive in the left lane of an interstate for more than a mile and a half, went into effect. Brookside now faces at least five lawsuits. Dozens of people sharing their stories about encounters with Brookside officers during an emergency town hall in Fultondale hosted by State Representative Juandalynn Givan and . Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on an official government site. At the time, Jones was still president of the Helena City Council, though it was reported he later stopped attending meetings when his private security business began to struggle. Jones still has some supporters in town. Free Honea Path Property Records Search. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, the states top law enforcement officer, has declined to comment on Brookside, but others have acted. A department of nine officers in a 1,253-person town is far larger than average. Visibility was low and she was driving cautiously, she said. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. It was enforced by those he picked despite their backgrounds to be police officers. Some residents worried the growing fleet of military equipment lined up outside town hall sent an unwelcoming message. If we have to come get ya, well make you famous!, When you look at their Facebook pages its almost like they are bullies. Unsure what was happening, Harris dialed 911. The town announced that all police cars and uniforms would be clearly marked. Brookside cops were on a high-priority case in 2019. wind speeds 261-318 mph) tornado 4.4 miles away from the Brookside town center killed 32 people and injured 259 people and caused $200 million in damages.. On 4/4/1977, a category F5 tornado 7.8 miles away from . Police must direct traffic before the 1 p.m. court session starts. Government websites often end in .gov or .mil. They tell, with consistency, of specious tickets and arrests, of retaliation by a police department and by a chief who challenged those who questioned him as he sought to build an empire on the backs of drivers. That contributed a 14% chunk of the citys total income, a number that would be considered high in much of America. So he quit, after about a year on the job. View map of Brookside Police Department, and get driving directions from your location. she said. Top editors give you the stories you want . The complaint seeks return of property and damages. Fines . Like those on Dec. 2. It showed police in 2020 patrolled 114,438 miles in the 6.3-mile town and issued more than 3,000 citations a 692% increase from 2018. They were expected to keep track of real-time police calls on Excel files. On July 10th, 2019, 16 days after she paid her ticket, her phone rang. As more tickets brought in more money, the town began to spend much more. People are angry and more than frustrated with the Brookside police department. I saw the same attitude in every officer and every person, he said. Mayor Bryan dismissed the complaints of those who must appear in court. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 3. That document budgeted $646,620 to the police this year. The chiefs pretty upset about that post you put on Facebook, he recalled the officer saying. She remembered being pulled over five years before. The town began to tow huge numbers of cars, and reap huge rewards. He informed me that my case was never closed, said Jones, who lives in Forestdale near Birmingham. , threats, embarrassing social media posts and even blue-light traffic stops. As Brookside Mayor Bryan told AL.com when first asked about aggressive policing in December: Everybodys got a story, and 99% of them are lying.. Baggett asked about her vehicle on the way. Brittany Coleman is fighting Brookside, Alabama over its abusive fines. Ainsworth, also a Republican, told AL.com that his office would look at legislative options to determine how to prevent towns from taking advantage of drivers passing through on highways, a problem lawmakers acknowledged is happening across the state. If the bill passes, someone could end up in jail or pay thousands in fines for moving a jurisdiction sign. In another case, Brookside police last year confiscated a 2014 Honda Civic owned by a man named Sean Wattson, even though Wattson was not driving and was not in the car, according to a lawsuit he filed against the town. By Tristan Ruppert. Officers appeared to approach drivers with the presumption that they were guilty of something, many drivers would later say. But not in the courtroom. Stories from people stopped in the ticket-happy town continue to roll down like an avalanche, since AL.com last week published the story of how the tiny town turned to aggressive ticketing to build a ballooning police force that came to provide half the towns revenue. Instead, the arresting officer was listed as Agent JS, while the assisting officer was Agent AR.. While police filled the cells by citing the letter of the law to drivers, they did not apply that standard to themselves. People who were stopped by Brookside police and fined more than the state allows. 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. Related: Pastor, sister say rogue police force sought revenge. In an email to her May 29, 2019, Mike Jones defended the stop, and the ability to ticket outside of Brookside. Ramon Perez came to court last month ready to fight the tickets hed been handed by Brookside police, including one for rolling through a stop sign and another for driving 48 mph in a 40 zone. One man said residents don't want just resignations, they want people going to jail. The town of Brookside confirmed that Chief Mike Jones resigned from his position in a brief press release Tuesday afternoon. By Charlotte Trattner On 1/26/22 at 1:38 PM EST. At left, clockwise from top: Brookside Mayor Mike Bryan, town judge Jim Wooten, former Lt. James "Bo" Savelle, former Chief Mike Jones, and town attorney Mark Parnell. maintains roads and possesses right of way within some city/town limits and planning jurisdictions. Michelle Jones made an official complaint to the Alabama Attorney's General's office three years ago, arguing that Brookside police stopped her out of jurisdiction, issued a bogus citation and . Brookside is the "the wild, Wild West," one state lawmaker said after its income from traffic fines and forfeitures reportedly rose 640 percent in 2 years. Everybodys got a story, he said. In addition, she said, counting on fines and fees collected from people in lower income and marginalized communities only serves to punish them further. All rights reserved (About Us). Transfer Portal. We dont like writing tickets.. Reporting Agency: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Alabama. called for the second town hall meeting this week. Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr asked judges to drop 69 felony drug charges that originated in Brookside, along with 22 associated misdemeanors, saying he did not want to be associated with a rogue police force.. And theyre saying they were nowhere near Brookside.. That audit report, released last week, has said such an arrangement is illegal. Chief Jones resigned on Jan. 25. Which is another problem altogether, Sheriff Pettway said. Advertisement. While tiny Brookside was not alone in taking such equipment and weaponry, it was particularly aggressive. And hes like, We cant tell you unless you give me your phone number. I said I dont wanna give you my phone number. And he said, Well, Im not gonna tell you unless you give it to me.. Perform a free Brookside, AL public property records search, including property appraisals, unclaimed property, ownership searches, lookups, tax records, titles, deeds, and liens. By 2020 due almost entirely to aggressive policing it rose to $1.2 million. A judge set Halls fines at $6,000, and he had to post $12,000 bond while he appealed the case, an amount Weinberg considered excessive, and one that would prevent defendants without money or support from arguing their cases in state court. He told me it would be in my best interest if I just shut the F up, she said. His listed phone is not accepting calls and he did not respond to emails. He said response times were long because Brookside often had to rely on the Jefferson County Sheriffs department for service. I had two boats in my boat shed and he put stickers on both of them and told me, because I didnt have updated tags on them that they were gonna tow em, Pickle said. Vincent Witt and his sister, Tareya, Chief Jones tried to intimidate her in a social media message, Police in this tiny Alabama town suck drivers into legal black hole, 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. The town of Brookside, Alabama holds municipal court once a month. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Court is now set to resume this Thursday. Bill Dawson, a lawyer who has represented several clients in Brookside, said defendants have faced possession charges for a joint, with paraphernalia charges tacked on for the paper it was rolled in. Wayne Jett, the owner of Jetts Towing, referred questions to his lawyer, Jay Tidwell. I could take over the whole county with numbers like that, he joked. Detective Johnson had called and asked that I come to the Brookside Police Department to talk to them.