WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — People in West Memphis are calling out the police department over what they say is a lack of transparency when it comes to sharing the latest crime information.
“As a citizen and a taxpayer, I would like to know if my neighbor got broken into or if someone got shot around the corner,” said West Memphis resident Angela Thomas.
Thomas says she and other West Memphis residents feel they are often left in the dark when it comes to getting information from the West Memphis Police Department and city government as a whole.
“I feel like crime is being underreported,” Thomas said. “We're continuously hearing from elected officials and people within the city that the crime is down. Where are the statistics?”
Thomas said she and fellow citizens often have to rely on social media posts from neighborhood groups when it comes to finding out what is going on.
One of these groups is "Grass Roots 72301."
“We try to keep the community aware of the things that are going on that we kind of gather off of social media,” said Cheryl Roe, who created the group with Tammi Bell.
At press time, the last Facebook post from the West Memphis Police Department regarding a crime in the city was posted on April 2, 2024.
“The chief or his designated officer are the only ones that are allowed to disseminate information to the public,” said West Memphis Police Sgt. Jerry Shelton.
Sgt. Shelton said that the police department or city hall are the most accurate sources for information.
“They're obviously welcome to call either those two organizations and get the information that we're allowed to give out.”
Sgt. Shelton says there is also a city-wide text alert system but Thomas says not enough people know about that.
“We need transparency, and we need to know what crimes are happening in the city,” she said.
A West Memphis city spokesperson sent ABC24 the following statement:
"The West Memphis Police Department is committed to maintaining transparency with the public while ensuring that we do not compromise the integrity of our investigations. We evaluate each situation carefully to determine what information can be shared and when. It's crucial that our communications do not impede ongoing police work or violate privacy rights.
If there appears to be a delay in updating our social media accounts with crime posts — it’s usually because disclosing details could jeopardize an active investigation or there may not be an immediate threat to the community that necessitates a broader alert.
We strive to keep our community informed and safe, understanding the vital role that timely and accurate information plays in public awareness and trust."