Dothan commissioner says crime on rise on Shirley Street

Police, howeer, have responded to few calls for service

The intersection of Shirley Street and Pryor Street is seen Tuesday afternoon in Dothan.

By: Lance Griffin | Dothan Eagle
Published: December 27, 2011

A small private drive leads to a storage area owned by District 2 Commissioner Amos Newsome just off Shirley Street in Dothan.

Newsome said the area holds a little bit of everything. Recently, Newsome said he installed four high intensity security lights to discourage burglars. Over the past two years, Newsome said his property has been vandalized and/or burglarized between 10 and 15 times. Engines, drill presses, copper, radiators, transmissions, a 12-foot food bar and a stainless steel bath tub have all been taken, along with numerous smaller items.

“It’s hard to believe,” Newsome said.

During the last Dothan City Commission meeting, Newsome said he has received complaints about criminal activity on Shirley Street, located inside Ross Clark Circle on the east part of Dothan near the old Tri-State Plant Food location. The street runs just three blocks.

“People need to know that this kind of activity is not welcome there,” Newsome said. “It may just relocate somewhere else, and then people need to know it won’t be welcome there either.”

Newsome said he has received complaints of drug activity and prostitution along the street, which borders part of Gussie McMillon Park.

Information from the Dothan Police Department does not appear to indicate a rash of criminal activity — or at least a rash of complaints of criminal activity. According to the department, Dothan police responded to only four calls for service on Shirley Street during November and December. One was in reference to disorderly person(s), two were in reference to suspicious activity and one complaint of drug activity was logged. No action was taken on three of the calls and the drug activity complaint resulted in an arrest. All calls came from the 500 block of Shirley Street.

Since January of 2009, Police records from Shirley Street addresses indicate the department has responded to three theft reports, three residential burglaries and one report of breaking and entering into a vehicle.

Dothan Police Chief Greg Benton said the department has increased patrols and surveillance in response to Newsome’s remarks. He also said the department must rely on the public to relay information to police when patrols are not present.

Newsome still believes an increased police presence will help squelch most potential criminal activity around the area.

“Hopefully, we can eradicate it,” Newsome said.