Many Decatur residents are frustrated with the Decatur Police Department and have concerns after someone vandalized the Steve Perkins memorial at City Hall Sunday morning.
Decatur Police released a picture of the surveillance video, but not the actual video in its entirety. Some feel the picture of the video shows them absolutely nothing, and want to know why police made that choice.
Tuesday afternoon, Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é called the Decatur Police Public Information Officer, Irene Cardenas-Martinez. She sent an email response that read in part, "I was also advised questions about surveillance video or the memorials should be directed to the mayor's office."
Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é also sent Mayor Tab Bowling an email and got an automated response that said he would be out of office until Jan. 2.
Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é sent Bowling a text message Wednesday afternoon on his personal cell.
Bowling sent Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é a text back that said, "I have no idea why they didn't release the actual video. Don't know why you were directed to me other than I have allowed memorials at our entrance until the new year."
Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Weekend Anchor Rob Sneed pressed Bowling further in the text, and he replied, "I provided my answers. Have a nice evening."
After several text messages and emails to Bowling and Cardenas-Martinez, Decatur Police Capt. Rick Archer sent a response.
"I did not download anything from our system. I viewed it on the system and captured a screenshot and that is what I attached to our social media post. You can request that video from the city information systems dept. Through a FOI request. I trust this answers your question," said Archer.Â
Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é asked him why he didn't just download the surveillance video to share with the public.
Archer replied, "There is no reason beyond what I have stated. You are more than welcome to file a request to obtain as much of the video as you want for yourself."
Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é filed a FOI request to get a copy of the surveillance video, and will share it with the public if it's delivered.
The on-the-record conversations with these city leaders can be seen below.
