Prichard Mayor Jimmie Gardner criticized Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch after comments he made over the shooting of a two-year-old child.
Burch said the child was an innocent victim caught in the line of gang-related gunfire. He added that he is sick of gang activity and that the best way to stop the shootings of innocent bystanders is to have them all put in an arena to "kill the hell out of each other."
Gardner accused the sheriff of creating dangerous rhetoric.
"His statement that it's gang-related and that he wishes we could put them in the same arena and let them kill the hell out of each other, that would solve the problem, is both reckless and irresponsible," Gardner responded. "While he acknowledged that innocent people are the ones who get hurt, his choice of language undermines the seriousness of this crisis and the dignity of the communities he is sworn to serve and protect."
While the comments were blunt, Burch said the truth is the truth. He said gang activity is causing more crime in Prichard. He believes the mayor is directing his anger in the wrong direction.
"Number one, it was gang-related," Burch told 1819 News. "I mean, a fact is a fact. Number two, I'm tired of all the innocent people being shot by gang members trying to kill one another and if they're hell-bent on killing one another, then we should round them up, put them all in an arena and let them kill the hell out of each other and I still stand by that. You know, that would prevent a loss of innocent life or innocent people being injured from gunfire."
"Obviously, it was just a statement, not reality," he continued. "I will also say that Mayor Gardner is lashing out because he has a failed administration."
Burch says his office gets calls from Prichard citizens who feel unsafe and can't afford to move.
The Mobile County Sheriff's Office has taken over major investigations in the city because Prichard lacks the resources and ability to handle those cases. Gardner said he looked forward to continuing that work with the sheriff's office but accused Burch of talking down to citizens.
"I have expressed on previous occasions, publicly expressed appreciation for the manpower and resources the sheriff's office has provided to the city of Prichard," Gardner said. "But I will not stand by and allow gaslighting or dangerous rhetoric to go unchecked. The focus must remain on accountability, collaboration, and solutions. Law enforcement must work together with the community, not talk the community down."
"At no time did I talk down to the community," Burch responded. "If I wasn't concerned about the citizens of Prichard, I wouldn't have my men and women in there at all. But the way I look at it is they are citizens of Mobile County and they're entitled to the same public safety service as any other citizen in the county."
Burch vowed to continue his work to make Prichard a safer place for citizens.
Gardner recently announced he will run for re-election in the upcoming municipal elections.
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