Selma Mayor Darrio Melton made a final plea to the City Council to provide funding for the Selma Police Department (SPD) after a weekend ambush that left one officer injured on Sunday morning.

Melton spoke a press conference at City Hall on Monday. Selma Capt. Natasha Fowlkes was also present with a few other officers.

The fiscal budget ends Sunday and the 2019 fiscal year starts on Oct. 1. The city council will have its final budget hearing on Wednesday at the council chambers.

“We know our police officers are heroes in Selma,” Melton said. “Each day, they put their lives on the line for the citizens of Selma. I think all of us who are gathered here today, we know our officers here in Selma are heroes and without them, Selma wouldn’t be the city that we are.”

Melton said the city’s residents need improved protection by the law enforcement.

“We must recognize the fear that so many citizens in our communities are experiencing,” Melton said. “So, we have to make sure steps as a city, as a government, as a community to make sure we respond to the fear that’s running rampant throughout our city.”

SPD officer Michael Hale was shot Sunday, but wasn’t seriously injured. He’s recovering with his family, according to Melton.

“We’ve had too many occasions, four to be exact, where our officers have experienced an ambush,” Melton said. “Over the last six weeks, we’ve had officers shot. This past week, we had an officer by the grace of God, who is still with us today, but was ambushed.

“You’ve heard the report that the officer wasn’t fully protected and fully clothed. If officer Hale had a rifle-plated vest, he wouldn’t have had to go to the hospital. The bullet went through his body. By the grace of God, he’s still with us today.”

Melton also urged city residents to step up with him and city council.

“If we’re not working together, what will happen to our city,” Melton said. “I challenged those inside the city of Selma not to point our hands at city hall, but to hold our hands together from the pulpit to this podium. Let’s hold our hands together to drive out the evil that’s inside our communities. I challenge you, let’s move.”

Melton spoke about the $22 million budget he proposed to the city council last month. The council eventually voted against the budget, which included $1.7 million for public safety. $1  million would go to the SPD, the rest was for the Selma Fire Department. In the SPD budget included rifle-plated vests that cost $700 each, over 10 new officers and 10 police cars.

“Today is the time for us to make tough decisions where it may not be popular to make those tough decisions,” Melton said. “It’s going to take some tough decisions. We’ve given a plan to the city council to move forward and give our law enforcement officers everything they need to be able to serve the city of Selma.”

“What we proposed is giving our Police Department an additional million dollars to make sure they’re fully vested,” Melton said. “What the council is doing is hurting our ability to recruit new officers. I’ve had officers over the last several weeks say, ‘If the council isn’t giving us the equipment to protect ourselves, we’ll go to other departments.’’

Melton’s said the 1 cents sales tax goes straight to Public Safety.

“The sales tax will give all our officers to get fully clothed and get the equipment they need,” Melton said. “They need to protect us. They put their lives on the line. As a government, that’s unacceptable.”

Fowlkes expressed her disappointment in the city council.

“I requested at the budget hearing to protect our officers,” Fowlkes said. “If Hales’ had a vest on, none of this would’ve happened. For a city council not to vote on anything for the police chief, it’s an embarrassment.”

Council President Corey Bowie said it takes both the council and mayor working together to make a strong city.

“As the executive and legislative branches of government, we must work collectively to address the crime in our city through policies and community policing,” Bowie said. “It’s going to take the whole community to address and solve this crime problem without pointing fingers.”

Melton said he gave the council several options for a balanced budget.

“As Mayor, it’s my job to send the council a budget,” Melton said. “As a council, it’s their job to approve it. I can only tell the council what’s best for the city. They don’t have to agree with it, but the mayor’s in the best position.

“I urged them that we can’t continue to operate on a $17 million budget. I proposed a budget with cuts, they said no. I proposed a budget with tax measures, they said no. The council wants revenue. We can’t have it both ways. I have yet to operate on a budget the people elected me to do.”

Melton said he remains hopeful the council will make the right move this week. The city council meeting is Tuesday night at 5 p.m. at city hall.

“I’m hoping the council will stand tomorrow evening with our police and fire departments to make a very crucial vote,” Melton said. “This is an opportunity and we never want to be on the wrong side of history. We want to be on the right side of history.

“Yes, I feel support from the council on a certain level. Is all the support there? I’m not convinced,” Melton said. “Hopefully, we can get all the council to a place to support what we’re trying to accomplish inside the city of Selma.”