FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — Florence Police Department held a meeting with all businesses in the downtown area to discuss the needs and wants for extra security.
The violent incidents, including a kidnapping and a recent shooting, have local merchants looking for answers from the police department.
“Florence is growing, and with that, you may have problems from time to time,” Florence Deputy Chief Ira Davis said.
So, FPD is making some changes.
“We just added higher visibility, more officers out and about,” Davis said.
Popular downtown bars are drawing crowds, which can lead to rowdy behavior. Area businesses and law enforcement want to find ways to prevent small incidents from escalating.
“We can’t blame the businesses that are there, all the businesses that we have dealt with have been well in municipal ordinances as well as state law, they’re not doing anything wrong, once again, summer time is with a large influx of visitors and Florence is thriving,” Davis said.
For now, more officers will be placed downtown, expect more traffic tickets to be written, and police will be keeping an eye out for anyone creating a nuisance and violating local laws.
FPD tells News 19 they’re going to see how it goes for the next few weeks until they come up with a solid plan for the downtown area.
The post Florence Police adding extra officers downtown after public safety meeting appeared first on WHNT.
