By Stephen Dawkins

The Jemison City Council on Monday passed ordinances to combat nuisances caused by large trucks traveling through town.

Responding to a concerned resident’s petition earlier in a regular council meeting at Jemison Municipal Complex, the council banned the use of “Jake brakes” inside city limits and reduced the speed limit to 25 miles per hour on the stretch of County Road 42 from Highway 191 to County Road 38, a portion of road that sees heavy truck traffic.

“We’re going to enforce it,” Mayor Eddie Reed said of the new restrictions.
The fine for using compression release engine brakes will be between $25 and $250.

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said signs warning against use of the brakes and of the new speed limit would be posted clearly to give motorists plenty of notice.

With another traffic related ordinance, the council renamed three roads in the Oak Grove community.

County Road 138 is now Cobb Drive, County Road 560 is Garrett Lane and County Road 141 is Gentry Street.

The changes came at the request of an Oak Grove resident, who was asked to consult neighbors.

In other business, the council:

•Accepted a bid of $350 for a surplus GMC truck.

•Received an invitation from the Rev. George Brown, Scout Master of Pack and Troop 773, based in Jemison, to attend the Boy Scouts group’s annual honors and awards banquet on Saturday at the Municipal Complex auditorium.

By Stephen Dawkins

A vehicle can be like a weapon: In the hands of someone irresponsible, it can maim or kill.

With the completion of traffic homicide investigation training, the city of Jemison has the means to determine whether a wreck that results in death or serious injury is a prosecutable case.

Sgt. Brandon Wright, who has been with the Jemison Police Department for about 10 years, became a certified traffic homicide investigator with the completion of an 80-hour, two-week course taught at the Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center, also known as the State Trooper Academy, in Selma on Sept. 27-Oct. 8.

“We all receive training in accident investigation, but this is much more in depth,” Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said.

Course participants learn how to perform speed analysis, collect evidence, take photographs and construct diagram of the scene.

“It’s kind of like working a crime scene,” Fulmer said.

The training is intended for investigating a wreck that results in death or serious injury and that might have been the result of driving under the influence of alcohol or another form of reckless driving.

In the case of such an accident, Jemison wouldn’t have to rely on state officers to conduct an investigation.

Fulmer said one or two such situations typically occur each year.

“We have a responsibility to provide services, and I want to ensure personally that if someone is tragically hurt or killed in an accident…I want a person that caused that by being reckless to be held responsible. I feel like we owe it to the families of the victims.”

Fulmer said he plans to have another Jemison officer receive the training next year.

By Stephen Dawkins

The Jemison City Council at its meeting Tuesday voted to allow the creation of a “public explorer” program.

The program, which would be organized by Fire Chief John Dennis, is intended to create a reserve-type force that would be made up of young men and women.

The council also approved an ordinance accepting the annexation of 20 acres of land off Smith Road. Both owners of the land, Paul Shannon and Kimberly Robinson, requested annexation into the city.

In addition to passing the annexation ordinance, the council amended several ordinances already on the books.

One such ordinance was amended so city officials could better deal with the problem of people not keeping vicious animals restrained. Another amendment will allow the city to change meter rates for new water customers.

Finally, an amendment was passed in regard to the police department’s drug tip fund. Revenue comes into the fund through court fees paid by drug offenders.

In other business, the council:
•Entered into a contract with Thorin and Associates for grant writing services.

•Recognized councilman Sam Reed for becoming a Certified Municipal Officer through a training course.

•Summarized reports from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, on the city’s water, and from the Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation, on liability insurance paid by the city. Jemison received high marks in both reports, Mayor Eddie Reed said.

•Heard a presentation from Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center Executive Director Lynda Beebe. Beebe gave the council an overview of the non-profit organization and invited council members to a banquet Care Net will hold at Jemison’s Municipal Complex on Nov. 4.

By Stephen Dawkins

Two women charged with theft by Jemison Police are also suspects in at least 14 additional felony cases in four counties.

Oletha Dansley, 46, of Mobile was arrested on Aug. 16 by Demopolis Police. Dansley and Latonya Anderson, 40, of Birmingham allegedly stole purses from business owners.

In a scheme that was repeated at various locations, Anderson and Dansley reportedly entered a Jemison business on July 23. One of the suspects distracted the business owner while the other suspect took the owner’s purse.

“These two suspects were very good at what they were doing,” Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said. “There are others that use this same distraction and theft technique who mainly target small businesses. I want to…make all business owners aware of this type crime and hopefully prevent others from becoming a victim.”

The business owner discovered her purse missing and reported the theft to Jemison Police. The victim’s credit card was used at various locations in Clanton, Millbrook, Montgomery and Prattville, and purchases totaled $2,900
Jemison Deputy Chief and Investigator Marc McMinn, with the help of Clanton Police investigators, was able to identify the suspects and file charges.

After Anderson has faced charges in Demopolis, she would be extradited on the Jemison’s felony theft of property charges.

Anderson and Dansley also face at least 12 felony “fraudulent use of a credit card” charges that span four counties.

“We have submitted our information across the entire state of Alabama and have been contacted by additional agencies,” Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said. “We expect that other cases across the state will be solved as well.”

By Stephen Dawkins

Jemison’s new Municipal Complex is benefitting the city’s police force — and other local officers.

The first half of a statement analysis training course was held in the Complex auditorium earlier this month, and the second session is scheduled for Sept. 23.

“There is a technique you can use in analyzing those statements to tell if they are being truthful or deceptive,” Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said. “You can use this on victim statements as well.”

All law enforcement officers in Alabama are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education courses per year. The course at Jemison, which was taught by instructors from Auburn University at Montgomery, will cover 16 hours worth of material.

“My philosophy is if you don’t get the training and have the tools to do the job, you can’t do the job as successfully as you need to,” Fulmer said.

Fifty-seven officers from local and state agencies attended the training.

“This class went very well, and I believe these officers, after receiving this type training, will be very prepared and able to do their job much more efficiently,” Fulmer said and also thanked Deputy Chief Marc McMinn for scheduling the training.

Fulmer also said he is pleased Jemison was able to host such a course.

Fulmer’s officers normally would have to travel to receive training, so hosting it saves the city money. The course also serves as an opportunity for out-of-towners to see Jemison.

“We now have our own facilities that will accommodate large groups of people, and we are excited about being able to offer these training classes,” Fulmer said.

By Stephen Dawkins

The Jemison City Council on Monday was updated on a couple of road improvement projects.

Mayor Eddie Reed told the council that a project to pave roads in the Oak Grove community, which was annexed into the city last year, is nearing completion.

“I will say that it’s 99.9 percent completed,” Reed said.

Work remains on County Road 141. Reed said the road is rough but that Chilton County Engineer Tony Wearren has assured Reed that county workers aren’t through with the road.

Also, speed limit signs need to be posted. The council decided at an earlier meeting to make the limit 20 miles per hour. Any county road without a posted speed limit has a default limit of 40 miles per hour.

“That’s way too fast,” Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said.

The council also discussed a project to improve Sycamore Street.

Councilman George Brasher said the road needs to be repaved because of instability created by a water line that was installed on top of a sewer line, but the work should wait on workers to connect residents on the street to the newer water line.

“That will save us a lot of money,” Brasher said, because if the road were paved before the work on the water line, the road would have to be paved again after the work was completed.

“Had we done it the way we decided to do before Councilman Brasher came up with this plan, we would have had a lot more complaints,” Reed said.

In other business, the council:

•Hired I.H. McNeill III, P.C., to serve as the city’s public accountant firm

•Discussed a report from Fire Chief John Dennis that included the number of calls the department made in the past month, among other information. The council unanimously praised the department’s work. “I’m just glad we’re moving forward,” Councilman Richard Morris said.

By Stephen Dawkins

A park is usually a peaceful place where people can relax. Jemison City Park has become anything but.

City officials have received reports of loud, profane language and even louder music–and are vowing to take back the park for those that would use it as intended.

City Council member Sam Reed brought up the issue at Monday’s City Council meeting, and Mayor Eddie Reed voiced a strong opinion.

“I think our parks are for the people,” Eddie Reed said. “They should not have to be afraid to go to our city park, so we’re going to stop that in that park.”

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said the problem is young people–as many as 50-75 on weekends–gathering around the basketball courts and “creating an environment where people just don’t want to go out there.”

Fulmer said the basketball courts are there for people to use, but it’s often the hangers-around that cause problems.

Officials suspect many of the culprits are out-of-towners that have somehow decided on the park as a gathering place.

Fulmer said he doesn’t intend to let that continue.

“We’ve taken steps to try to curb that, and we’re going to continue to do it,” he said.

Playground equipment and bathrooms at the park have been vandalized. Members of the undesirable group are suspected, but Fulmer said no one has yet been arrested or charged with any crimes.

But ramped-up patrols will continue.

“People should be able to enjoy it, and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure they do,” Fulmer said.

By Stephen Dawkins

Interstate 65 Exit 219 will be the front door to Jemison’s expected growth in the coming years.

So, city officials want to sweep off the welcome mat.

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said litter around businesses—and even state property—is a problem at the exit.

“There are places out there that literally look like a landfill,” Fulmer said. “We want our exit, because it reflects our city, we want it to be clean. And right now, it’s an eyesore.”

Litter has collected especially on steep hillsides, swampy areas and in thick brush.

Fulmer said Jemison police officers recently hand delivered copies of the city’s litter ordinance to businesses in the area.

“We’re giving them a chance to clean it up,” he said. “If they don’t, we’ll send them a formal letter, give them 10 days, and then if it’s still not cleaned up we’ll start issuing citations.”

Fulmer also said he would contact state officials about the litter on right of ways.

The exit is the city’s worst spot for litter, Fulmer said, but there have problems elsewhere.

Jemison uses inmates to clean up around the city, and others get involved, too.

Fulmer said he has sifted through bags of trash thrown beside roadways, looking for a way to identify the culprit. And he has been successful.

Ultimately, though, the only way to eliminate litter is for people to stop littering.

“There are times when you can pick up, Highway 31 to Thorsby, and two days later, it’s in the same shape,” Fulmer said.

By Stephen Dawkins

Jemison: Where the water flows like…it’s free.

City officials won’t be adopting that as a new motto anytime soon and, in fact, have been working to prosecute those suspected of stealing water.

One Jemison residence had illegally used an estimated 68,000 gallons of water over a period of about four years, Police Chief Shane Fulmer said, in what has become a more common problem for the city.

“In the past two and a half weeks, we’ve had more trouble than we’ve ever had,” Fulmer said.

Three people from two different residences will be prosecuted in April in municipal court for tampering with water meters to allow the flow of water onto their property without paying for it.

In both cases, service had been cut off, but the suspects broke a lock that is put on the meter.

In one case, the suspect also altered the meter to prevent the numbers from turning, making it impossible for Water Department employees to tell the water was running.

If convicted, the suspects would be forced to pay restitution for the water stolen and $86 for the broken meter and curb stop, the locking mechanism.

“We want people to know that it is criminal mischief,” Fulmer said. “If we get complaints or we figure out something is going on, we’re going to do an investigation.

“They’re not just stealing from the city; they’re stealing from other citizens.”

City officials might receive complaints from water bill-paying residents, and the city’s Water Department employees often check the meters of homes that have had their service terminated.

In the case of the long-term water thief, Animal Control and Code Enforcement officer Bobby Tucker was actually checking the residence after an animal control complaint and saw evidence of running water. Tucker knew the residence was not supposed to have water, and the investigation began.

“The Water Department does a good job of paying attention,” Fulmer said. “If anything is suspected, we work together to figure out what is going on.”

By Ben Flanagan

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer is proud of his department’s first year on the job.
Last February, the city council named Fulmer police chief, and he’s done his best to fill that role as professionally as he possibly can.
Thanks to the support of an efficient staff and a welcoming community, Fulmer’s job has been made easier, he says.
“We’ve got a great group of officers, in my opinion,” Fulmer said. “The citizens have been really receptive and supportive. We have an outstanding mayor and city council to work with and work for. Everything’s great.”
In his first year, the community has welcomed Fulmer with open arms by working closely with him to keep Jemison safe, he said. He said the department has a solid relationship with the city schools.
“We’ve been welcomed and accepted by the schools here on a daily basis,” he said. “We work closely with them by participating in disaster and fire lockdown drills. It’s a good relationship.”
He’s happy he can personally help and talk with the citizens every day when they need it.
Fulmer and his department have seen a rise in technological innovations in police work that requires sudden and swift adjustments.
He said his officers continue to answer that call as they learn new law enforcement techniques.
“I’m so glad to see officers work as hard as they do,” he said. “That makes you proud of who you’ve got working for you and how they do their jobs. I’m proud of our being able to maintain and keep up with today’s technology demands with little or no cost to the taxpayers.”
Fulmer said the Jemison department is roughly 75 percent committed to electronic police reporting.
Most of it is done by e-mail or on other computer databases.
Currently working with a staff of 10 full-time officers, Fulmer is quite fond of those who surround him in the office and serve the city of Jemison.
“We’ve been able to recruit some really good officers that I think have been assets to the city,” he said. “We’ve also done a good job with recruiting potential officers for the future in our reserve program.”
In addition to his father and grandfather, Chief Fulmer’s family includes several others who serve as law enforcement officers.
His brother, Billy, is an Alabama State Trooper as is a cousin, and an uncle serves as a deputy sheriff in Dallas County. Fulmer takes a particular pride in continuing that family tradition of law enforcement that involves treating people respectfully.
“Police work isn’t the only family tradition,” he said. “It’s also about doing it with integrity and honesty. It’s about treating people the way they should be treated and doing what’s right.”
One challenge he’s seen this past year is stepping away from what he calls “on the beat” street policing and transitioning into full-time administrative work. But even if he doesn’t get the hands-on experience he had years before, he’s accepted that new responsibility with open arms.
“The administrative aspect to this job is crucial in ensuring the department is run like it should be,” he said. “It’s my job to ensure the officers are well-trained and that they continue with their training. Really and truly, every aspect of the job has been a great opportunity for me. I’ve enjoyed every day and minute of it.”
Fulmer said the responsibilities and demands of a police chief are astronomical, especially if you want the right kind of results. He insists he inherited a strong department, then with nine full-time officers, but they have worked hard to embrace and understand the technological breakthroughs in how they perform nearly every day.
His staff has answered that call with conviction, he said.
“We’ve got a great group of officers, men and women,” he said. “They really listen well. They’re receptive about getting the training they need. Jemison should be proud of them. They act professionally, and I’m here every single day to ensure it stays that way.”
In the future, Fulmer, said he’d like to add a few more officers to the department.
“I would love to have at least two officers on shift for 24 hours per day and seven days a week,” he said. “Whether or not that happens will have a lot to do with population growth and economic development.”
If the budget ever allowed it, he would also like to add two traffic homicide officers to the staff to work on traffic accidents resulting in death thanks to recklessness. Ideally, he would have two existing Jemison officers make the transition into that role.
“I’m just glad to be in a position where I can personally serve the people and ensure the whole department does its part in serving the people in a professional way,” Fulmer said.
In October 2007, he joined the Jemison Police Department as a patrolman and was promoted to assistant chief and investigator in June 2008.
Fulmer was named interim chief at Jemison when former chief Brian Stilwell became police chief in Clanton in December 2008.
He graduated from Selma High School and enrolled in the Alabama Police Officers’ Training Program at the University of Alabama. He also earned a criminal justice degree from Virginia College and has attended many law enforcement programs and conferences.
Chief Fulmer left Maplesville’s Police Department in 1995 to become a patrol officer for the city of Clanton. In 1999, he joined the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department as its narcotics investigator. Later he became the sheriff’s department’s chief investigator before coming to Jemison.
Fulmer and his wife, Angela, are the parents of three children, Hailey, Collin and Allie. His wife is a certified court reporter.