Town Hall meeting 3rd JP District

Councilwoman Cathy Kehely called a town hall meeting last night at Jones Hall that was lightly attended. It was to get input from the citizenry what they wanted or expected from a new police chief. Judging from the turnout, not much. The City Manager and other city departments were represented as well as the fire department and the sanitation department. I commended the sanitation department for doing an outstanding job of making sure our streets were clear of trash. If you ask they will respond. I called them continuously about the nasty neighbors I had that thought the city dump was right in front of their house. The City brought them more trash barrels and left notes telling them that was against the law and then sent a crew out to handpick the litter left on the street by these miscreants. These people finally got the message and my street is relatively clean. Ask and you shall receive. Great job by the city sanitation department.
Back to the meeting, surveys were passed out to all attendees to rate the importance of what they felt the new chief should exemplify. The questionnaire included amount of experience, education, civic involvement, racial diversity and fair treatment, managerial skills and ability to promote good will among the troops. It will be interesting to see what the majority of Hot Springs residents value in the chief of police.
The subject of a new jail was addressed as well. Since the county owns the jail and the city just rents space, it isn't up to the residents of the city to decide where and when a new jail will be built. The county residents like it just where it is and the residents of Hot Springs want it out in the county away from the historical Prospect/Quapaw district.
The city residents voted for a new jail but lost to the majority of the county voting the bond down due to the fact there was now sunset clause on the tax. In the meantime, Cathy told about visiting the jail that was built to house 80 and has over 200 inmates waiting to go to trial. A disgrace in a society that propounds to be so enlightened. A new jail will be built and there are those with interests in the land around the current courthouse expansion and county jail that want to build a complex right next to the historic district. The area has been fighting crime waves for years from people getting out of jail and walking into the neighborhood and stealing whatever is handy. I was robbed twice while sitting in my living room when I lived on Prospect. I never heard the guy enter my house on crepe soled shoes.
I just hope that the 'people's will' prevails and the vested interests in Hot Springs lose the battle to build next to the current jail.