Alexander mayor fires police chief, two others, after praising department during council meeting

(Updated with new information 12/18/2024 - 4:05PM.)

The morning following the Alexander City Council’s December meeting, Mayor Crystal Herrmann fired Police Chief Robert Burnett, Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett and Administrative Sergeant Hobby. This follows a report to council members about solving a 2021 drive-by shooting and Herrmann praising the police and fire departments.

According to news reports from television channels 4 and 16 (Click), Office Manager Jennifer Hill said those fired were told, “Their services were no longer needed.” She also said the police department is still functioning providing protection to city residents.

It was also reported Herrmann’s only comment was she wants to, “Take the department in a different direction.”

During the city council’s Monday, December 16 meeting, Burnett’s monthly report included an update on a 2021 drive-by shooting on Magnolia Glen. According to Burnett, the 97 shell casings left at the scene solved other unsolved cases in the area.

Assistant Police Chief Jessica Burnett, a detective at the time, while working with other law enforcement agencies, was able to link the casings to 42 homicides and 167 violent crimes. The evidence gathered also resulted in the arrest of six suspects.

“[T]he 97 casings connected 42 homicides,” Burnett said. [I]t also connected 167 violent crimes across the Little Rock and ... Pine Bluff” areas.

He also reported on an arrest after a high-speed chase, which ended when State Police did a pit maneuver forcing the vehicle off the road. Burnett said the phone seized during the arrest contained over 90,000 images of stacks of money, drugs and weapons providing the impression of, “a heavily organized crime division.”

“Also, this sort of person had been stealing treasury checks in the sum of over a couple million dollars,” Burnett added. “So, we're going to now (work) with the Treasury Department, and currently with the U.S. Postal Inspector on the federal level.”

After his report Council Member Juanita Wilson thanked the Chief and department for their efforts. Those attending the meeting broke out in applause.

Later Burnett reported on the department receiving a grant to purchase hand-held equipment that sniffs out drugs in luggage and packages. He said they will also be able to transport it to local cities before they handle a suspicious package.

During a discussion of the 2025 budget Herrmann said, “And it is amazing for our little city to have a well-equipped PD and FD. ... So I think I'm really proud of multiple departments for that.”

It was reported the Police Chief and Assistant Chief are not commenting on the issue. They are, however, seeking legal advice.

UPDATE:

Shortly after publishing this article Mayor Crystal Herrmann issued the following press release.

“On December 17, 2024, the administration of the City of Alexander determined that the Alexander Police Department's administrative direction needed change and realignment. As a result of the new direction, Chief Robert Burnett, Assistant Chief Jessica Burnett, and Administrative Sargent Jonathan Hobby were terminated from the City of Alexander Police Department as their services were no longer needed within the Department. The City of Alexander Police Department and the City of Alexander administration will continue to provide for our citizens and take the steps necessary to keep our community safe during this period of realignment.”

Mayor Crystal Herrmann

No new sewer connections in South Alexander; For now

The Saline County Waterworks Sanitary Sewer Public Facilities Board (SCWSS) has, “[S]topped all new sewer connections,” according to a report by Alexander Planning Commission Chairman Michael Huck. The order is based on a report from the Arkansas Department Environmental Quality (ADEQ). SCWSS provides water and sewer service to the southern area of Alexander, formerly known as Woodland Hills.

Since Woodland Hills was voluntarily annexed into Alexander in 2006, the area’s population has grown. Besides new residents building on lots that were never occupied since the establishment of the subdivision, which started in the 1970s, a new subdivision forced an upgrade to the sewer plant. Before the Meadow’s Edge Subdivision could connect to the SCWSS sewer system, the developer had to pay for upgrades to the sewer plant.

Huck provided details during his report to Alexander Planning Commission members at their December 10 meeting.

“So they have already stopped all new sewer connections until they can expand the sewer plant,” Huck said. “But they will turn back on any ... lots that already have a water and sewer connection.”

A lot that has an unoccupied structure that can be lived in, or needs to be replaced, can have the water meter turned on. Also, a lot that’s been cleaned of all structures, but still has water and sewer connections are not affected by the ban.

This won’t be the first upgrade to the sewer plant. Before the Meadow’s Edge upgrade, about 20 years ago, a sewer plant upgrade was funded by a $1 Million bond issue. A search for funding sources, preferably grants, is underway.

Cell tower up

Huck also reported to commission members the cell tower, which was approved by the Planning Commission and Alexander City Council in October 2023, has been erected. The cell tower is located next to the SCWSS sewer plant along Brookwood Road. Verizon will be the primary cell service provider using the tower.

Annual business completed

The primary purpose of the last meeting of the year was to approve the Planning Commission’s By-Laws and to select officers for 2025. After approving the 2025 By-Laws Jennifer Plunkett was elected Secretary, Tonya Prowse was elected Vice-Chair and Michael Huck was re-elected as Chair.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander Planning Commission is Tuesday, January 14 at 6:30 PM. Meetings are held in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.