In the aftermath of recent attacks that have gripped the nation, members of the Clarksville community came together to talk about their concerns.
Mayor Kim McMillan hosted a community discussion focused on race relations and policing in the city. Mayor McMillan, Police Chief Alonzo Ansley, NCAAP President Jimmie Garland and Pastor Willie Freeman led the panel discussion.
Clarksville residents of all ages and races filled the Wilma Rudolph Event Center to ask questions.
“It’s important that we reach out and we have a conversation, a dialogue about issues that are affecting us,” said McMillan.
“If you don’t talk about it, its just going to fester,” said Jimmie Garland, President of the Clarksville branch of the NAACP. “The more it festers, it becomes a real problem for the community.”
Topics discussed included training and hiring policies in the police department, and how to bring more diversity to the force. Participants also signed petitions to start the process of getting body cameras for police officers.
Chief Ansley said while there haven’t been complaints about officers’ conduct, more can always be done
“We hold our officers accountable,” said Chief Ansley. “Our officers know what their goals are and objectives. I feel proud of this police department.”
City leaders hoped the open discussion was a proactive step toward building trust, and uniting the community.
“Clarksville, Montgomery County, we can be a model for the nation if we can get this right,” said Garland.
The event was the first of a series of meetings that will address various topics the community is facing. City leaders said they will schedule future meetings as needed.
