Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

During a Chambers County Commission work session on June 16, members of the commission heard from representatives of Keys to the City, a community coaching initiative aimed at improving the lives of citizens in the towns it serves. They were contracted by Alabama Appleseed, a non-profit organization that focuses on addressing systemic issues, primarily in the area of criminal justice reform.

Hollie Cost, Ph.D., one of the coaches with Keys to the City, described to the commission how municipal fines levied against citizens often contribute to a perpetual state of poverty. Creating a cycle of punitive fines that people cannot afford to pay, especially in low-income areas.

Chambers County was selected for the initiative due to its potential to become a state leader in addressing the systemic issues under discussion. Cost added that dialogues were underway in Talladega, Walker County and Jasper, Alabama.

The commission was presented with a report that also contained a blueprint for improvement, should the commission decide to move forward with the initiatives presented by Keys to the City.

The initiatives would include solutions derived from community discussions centered on enhanced and specialized training for police officers and local government officials, enabling them to handle situations better for which they were not initially trained.

Lanett was the primary focus of these reforms; however, Keys to the City works primarily with court systems. Since the municipality of Lanett does not have a dedicated court, the organization had to address those at the county level. This approach also enhances the project’s scope, not only to one city, but to the entire county. 

Commissioners Sam Bradford and Debra Riley expressed interest in the initiatives, but needed more data to confirm their willingness to support them.

A detailed proposal is being prepared and will be submitted to the commission before the next meeting. The commission will make decisions after reviewing the new proposal.