The Selma Times-Journal

The 8th ward is under siege. Audio siege. At least according to resident Thounda Craig, who continues to protest noise pollution.

Craig attended Monday’s Selma City Council meeting to get some peace and quiet back in his neighborhood.

He submitted a letter to the Selma City Council asking them to address the neighborhood’s quality of life issue.

“There’s noise night and day,” Craig said.

“Nothing being done about it.

People all over yelling about the noise, ‘Call the police!’ We do. Nothing gets done. My neighbors know about the loud music – Bertha Cable, Henry Allen – the fire chief – he hears it, too – it’s so loud all of the time.”

Councilwoman Jannie Venter, who represents the 8th Ward, agreed there is a problem.

“Three wheelers are out there – up and down the street all day long and at night,” Venter said.

Councilwoman Dr. Geraldine Allen contributed, “You get very passionate about this when you have to hear this music over and over.

I, myself, have had the opportunity to hear very loud music in Ward 8.”

President George Evans asked why the city can’t get the situation under control.

Councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw said, “The police are bypassed by a down button.

I didn’t even

know there was such a thing … so when the police show up, it’s hard to detect.”

Evans suggested saturating the area with unmarked cars.

“Mr. Craig’s letter says they’re calling, police are coming,” Evans said. “This is not about dispatch.”

Venter

asked whether or not police are actually being dispatched, which brought an objection from Mayor James Perkins Jr., who said, “I rise to defend the police on this one.”

Evans responded, “Now, don’t get defensive about everything – we’ve got a problem here.”

Craig shook his head.

“Listen to them go on. They talk and talk, but they don’t handle the business before them,” he said.

Venter, speaking later, noted that “this problem is all over – it’s not just the 8th Ward.

The police are doing a good job, but these people have police scanners in their automobiles, so they’re smart and they know when the police are coming.

By the time the police get there, the music’s down.

Once they catch a few people, which they already have, and they’re fined – I believe it’s $386 for violating the noise ordinance – word’s gonna get around – that sound’s gonna come down.”