City Leaders Respond To Defund Police Movement

With several cities talking about defunding police because of excessive force, WAAY 31 asked Huntsville leaders if something like that could happen here.

Waiting to hear back.

Some cities are talking about defunding police because of excessive force.

Today, we asked huntsville if something like that could happen here.

Waay 31's sydney martin is live in huntsville with a very definitive answer from the city.

One city council member told me the city's getting hundreds of automated emails about defunding the police department.

But when i took the idea to mayor tommy battle and the police department, they both told me it won't happen and called it dangerous.

Tommy battle, mayor of huntsville "for the 200,000 people who live in the city of huntsville that's probably not the best idea.

That's not something we would consider or look at even.

Lt.

Michael johnson, huntsville police, "any defunding or dismantling of law enforcement in general is probably the most dangerous and crazy thing that anyone could ever do."

Monday- huntsville mayor tommy battle and police spokesperson lieutenant michael johnson told me they think defunding or dismantling police could be dangerous for the community.

Tommy battle, mayor of huntsville"it means basically you take all the funding you use for police.

That you're using to serve and protect your community and all of a sudden you put that into community resources" both told me they think a dismantling of a police department or defunding would make it difficult to run the city.

Tommy battle, mayor of huntsville " if you have somebody that comes up to you with a gun do you go to your neighbor and ask them to take out their gun and help you with that.

It really doesn't sound like a workable solution."

And after a week of protests in the city, huntsville police told me it's still feeling the support of the community.

Lt.

Michael johnson, huntsville police, "the citizens here in huntsville.

They have been sending us tremendous amount of emails, tremendous amount of phone calls all in support of us.

All in support of the work we've been doing.

All in support of the programs and things we have in place right now for community outreach."

Tonight- huntsville mayor tommy battle told me he's aware of a prayer vigil scheduled for thursday evening, but no other protests scheduled in the community.

Live in huntsville sm