The Scottsboro City Council discussed several items during its recent meeting, including requests from the Scottsboro Police Department, proposed changes within municipal court operations and a zoning matter.
Lt. Cody Durham of the Scottsboro Police Department addressed the council regarding the creation of the department’s first Special Response Team (SRT). Durham explained the need for the team following a July 26, 2025 incident in which Lt. Derek Porch was shot and a manhunt began.
During that incident, the department had to call Madison County’s SWAT team for assistance.
According to Durham, it took more than three hours for the outside agency to arrive.
“During that time frame, we did what we could and what we were trained to do,” Durham said, “but we realized quickly that the City of Scottsboro is growing, and we need the ability to handle these situations ourselves.”
The proposed team would consist of specially trained officers who could respond to high-risk situations such as barricaded suspects or other critical incidents.
Durham said six officers have already spent approximately $6,000 each out of their own pockets for training and equipment related to the effort.
To fully equip each team member, Durham said the estimated cost is between $8,000 and $9,000 per officer. Nine personnel, including eight police officers and one Scottsboro firefighter, are scheduled to attend Basic Tactical Operators Course training at Jacksonville State University from April 6-9.
Durham said the department hopes the team will eventually include about 15 to 16 members drawn from both the police and fire departments.
“This would allow the City of Scottsboro to handle our own incidents instead of relying on outside agencies,” he said.
Durham also discussed the need for a new training facility. He noted the department currently conducts training in a FEMA trailer dating back to the 1970s.
City officials discussed the possibility of utilizing a building previously used by the Industrial Development Board as a potential headquarters for the team and a new training center.
The proposal will be revisited by the council at a later meeting.
Police Chief Greg Godfrey also addressed the council regarding the need for rifle-rated ballistic plates for officers.
Godfrey said the equipment would provide improved protection for officers responding to dangerous situations.
The department estimates the cost at approximately $60,000 to equip officers with the plates.
Council members expressed support for improving officer safety and will review funding options.
Council member Mike Ashburn reminded the council that the excess sales tax fund is currently in the red for this budget year.
The council also discussed declaring a 2018 Ford Expedition used by the Scottsboro Police Department as surplus property.
City officials said the vehicle has experienced ongoing mechanical issues, and repairs are no longer considered cost-effective.
If approved, the vehicle will be sold, with proceeds returned to the police department’s budget.
Municipal Judge Deborah Dunsmore addressed the council regarding recent changes in state law affecting municipal courts.
Dunsmore explained that many cases handled in municipal court involve serious offenses such as: Domestic Violence, Driving under the Influence (DUI) and Marijuana Possession.
Recent state law changes require courts to better inform defendants about the consequences of convictions, including impacts on firearm ownership.
Because of the increased complexity and number of cases, a result of city growth, Dunsmore proposed the possibility of creating a public defender position for the municipal court.
The position would represent indigent defendants who qualify for court-appointed counsel.
Dunsmore said the position would not require city funding because it would be paid through court fees collected under the state’s “fair trial tax.”
Council members indicated they would review the proposal further.
City officials also announced the resignation of city prosecutor Gene Necklaus, effective March 31. Necklaus has served the city for approximately 18 months.
The city council plans to begin accepting applications for the position and hopes to appoint a replacement quickly due to the court’s active case load.
The council also opened a public hearing regarding the rezoning of property for a RaceTrac project. No citizens spoke either in favor of or against the rezoning request during the hearing.
