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Trezevant Police Chief, Citizens Defend Department Amid Talk of Elimination

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Copyright  2018 - Tri-County Pub., Inc.

TREZEVANT (September 11) — Tuesday's regular monthly meeting of the Trezevant Board of Mayor and Aldermen drew about a dozen citizens, including Police Chief Mike Mulligan, following a suggestion during the August meeting by Alderman Pam Bryant that a committee be formed to review the police department with the possibility of abolishing it altogether.

Bryant's suggestion was prompted by complaints she had received from citizens, including that they had been told to contact the Carroll County Sheriff's Department for police assistance.

The meeting was tense, but never heated. During the portion of the meeting dedicated to hearing from citizens, several stated their desire to see the police department remain in Trezevant and several others stated that they were there to see what happened but didn't specify their opinion on the matter. No citizen present expressed support for elimination of the department.

Chief Mulligan addressed the board, saying that he had listened to the audio of the prior meeting and that he was angry about the process that was taken. He called it an airing of dirty laundry that should have gone through the department head and the mayor. He was upset about the rumors that were rampant following the meeting, and wanted to address some of the things that were brought up. He said that the complaints mentioned had not been referred to him. He noted that the town doesn't have a full time police department, which would take at least five officers. He said that they had been working toward that, but were now down from three to two officers, and that there would be times when it would be necessary to rely on the sheriff's department. He added, “We're not going to catch everything, but we're gonna try.”

He provided a cost analysis of the department, which is projected to cost the city a net $93,143 for the fiscal year.

Mulligan said that he's “very passionate about this” and that he “doesn't believe this is a decision the board should make right now.” He expressed that he appreciates and respects what was said, but didn't think the public meeting was the place for it. He urged the aldermen to call him to talk about such issues.

Officer Larry Patton also briefly defended the efforts of the department and emphasized his dedication.

Alderman and police department head Teresa Goodrum, who was not present at the August meeting, expressed first her appreciation for first responders, noting that they were meeting on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. She then expressed her frustration with the process that had taken place, telling Alderman Bryant, “You should have come to me.”

Goodrum continued, “Each alderman has an assigned department, and we need to work together. I felt like I was railroaded.”

Alderman Bryant responded to Mulligan that she had “no problem with you or the other officers,” but said that she thought she needed to pass along what citizens had told her. She said to Mulligan and Goodrum, “I apologize if I was too brash.”

Goodrum made a motion that talk of abolishing the police department be abandoned. Alderman Joe Fowler seconded, adding that he thinks the department should be built up to at least five officers. Pam Joyner also voted for the motion, and Bryant abstained.

In other business, City Attorney Charles Trotter requested that the board approve the hiring of an engineer to assess the pothole issue on Park Street. The board acquiesced following a brief discussion. Trotter also reported that litigation was moving forward to resolve an impasse with the owner of a property which the town needs to access in order to determine a course of action on drainage issues.

The attorney also sought passage of a resolution to discontinue sewer service at property owned by Keith and Scarlet Peevyhouse upon their relocation by the Tennessee Department of Transportation for the highway project. The couple was present and expressed their consent, and the board unanimously approved the resolution.

The board also unanimously approved a motion allowing Alderman Fowler to look into options to offer insurance coverage or assistance to town employees.

Mayor Bobby Blaylock tabled the nomination of a new vice-mayor until after the November election.

Fowler announced that a new brush truck would be delivered during the week, and the board moved to declare the old truck as surplus.

Bryant announced that the veterans monument had arrived and would be installed in the next six weeks.

The meeting adjourned in just under an hour.