(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:
“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
And just what direction is she wanting to go? This makes absolutely no sense.
ReplyDeleteShe wants to destroy this town, and she us doing it! She is not any good!
ReplyDelete