KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Pine Bluff Police turmoil takes toll on residents

by Matt Johnson

PINE BLUFF - "It's a problem here," Anthony Jefferson says, wearing a yellow Take Back Pine Bluff t-shirt. "Trust me, it's a problem here."

Now he's part of the group that wants a solution.

The volunteer anti-violence group Taking Back Pine Bluff has quadrupled to about 20 members since November. At first they were tired of crime, now they're growing tired of leadership.

Every week, the group goes door-to-door and stands on city streets promoting non-violence and community involvement. They've also partnered with Turning The Tide on Poverty in Jefferson County, a non-profit that works to end poverty in Pine Bluff, one of the most impoverished cities in the United States.

"Our hope fades a little bit," said John James, now a candidate for mayor of Pine Bluff.

He says it faded when Assistant Police Chief Ivan Whitfield sued the city before being reinstated, sparking a very public feud with his boss. It faded when the 34 people busted for drugs on Thursday reminded him of the crime that still plagues the streets.

"The top two individuals that's supposed to be running our city and leading us are doing the same things that individuals in the community do," said James.

On Tuesday, the City Council will consider hiring an investigator to take a look at what may be wrong with the troubled department.

These residents just hope everything is done fairly.

"It should be something that's independent, not somebody that they pick to come up in here," said Jefferson.

The next council meeting will be Tuesday night.