The Selma Times-Journal

An announcement about a second town hall meeting on crime is expected within the next week, according to a member of the Selma Crime Task Force.

Task force co-chairperson Barbara Brown said the group has met several times since it was introduced to the public April 3.

The task force will meet again this week before another public meeting is announced.

“We’re just following up on the recommendations at the last town hall meeting,” Brown said. “We’re working on specific things that were suggested. We will have another town hall meeting, and the mayor will announce that date.”

A wide range of concerns were addressed at the meeting in the Selma Convention Center earlier this month. Citizens spoke to the public and task force members about a recent rash of violent crime, noise pollution and the lack of activities for the city’s youth.

Though Brown was not present at the meeting due to illness, other task force members informed her that it was a success.

She also stressed the need for people to come to the second meeting.

“I want to encourage the public to attend. We need the feedback from them,” Brown said.

An issue was made during the last meeting about the lack of turnout by Selma’s black citizens.

Brown said the problems the city is facing affects all residents – no matter where they live or who they are.

“I hope all citizens will come out,” Brown said. “I hate the labeling aspect. Our goal is to deal with the problems in the community, be they black issues or white issues. I just encourage everyone to come out.”