New Decatur Police Chief wants to bridge gap between department and community
News 19 is the first station in North Alabama to speak with Mack since his swearing-in. News 19's Tamika Alexander had the chance to catch up with the chief about what's ahead for his officers and the community they serve.
After years of darkness the Hudson Memorial Bridge has new lights
Mack is a Birmingham native, a military veteran, and recently retired from the Birmingham Police Department.
But that didn't last long. Shortly after his retirement, the father of four accepted the position of police chief in Decatur. A position he admits comes with challenges.
'I want to bridge the gap between the police department and the citizens of Decatur,' Mack said. 'I have met with many citizens I have met with some officers my command staff and they are willing to one day we are going to sit down and all of us some citizens and the command staff to have fruitful dialogue not to talk about the past but where we are today and how we can move forward it.'
Part of Decatur's past includes the shooting death of Steven Perkins. He was killed in the front yard of his home by former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette in September of 2023 during a botched repossession attempt.
Wife, insurance agent testify as state begins presenting case in Decatur chiropractor's attempted murder trial
'There are no true winners,' He said. 'You have a woman that will never have her husband. Children won't have their father, brothers and sisters won't have their brother. On the other side, I am pro law enforcement, you have to think about the former officer as well.'
Since the death of Perkins, citizens have taken to the streets in protest. And with Marquette's trial looming. Mack said he has requested that some of his staff get additional training.
'We have to get boots on the ground,' said Chief Mack. 'We have to train for it because it could possibly happen.'
That additional training to handle crowds is one of several issues detailed in an independent review of the police department released earlier this year. Mack said he agrees with some of the recommendations
However, his plans to heal the divide in Decatur center around one thing.
'Keeping citizens informed, giving them a sense of ownership. It boils down to we are there to serve, it is their police department, I am their police chief.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Should You Actually Invest Your Own Money in the Trump Baby Accounts?
One of the key provisions of President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' establishes so-called 'Trump Accounts,' designed to encourage savings for newborn children. In addition to receiving an initial deposit from the federal government, the accounts allow for additional contributions by parents or employers. Read Next: Check Out: The question is this: Should you actually invest your own money in these accounts? Or is there a better option among the other types of regular and tax-advantaged accounts that are already available? Here's a brief overview of the provisions of the Trump baby accounts and some recommendations as to whether or not you should invest. What Are the Parameters of the Trump Baby Accounts? The Trump Accounts are custodial, tax-deferred accounts that are somewhat like a hybrid of a traditional custodial account and an IRA account. They are registered in the name of the child, like a custodial account, and the money inside grows tax-deferred, like in an IRA. Money in a Trump Account cannot be withdrawn until age 18. After that, withdrawals can be made, but they are fully taxable and may be subject to a 10% penalty if withdrawn before age 59 1/2, as with IRAs and other tax-deferred retirement accounts. As with IRAs, there are some exceptions to the 10% penalty rule, including withdrawals for higher education and the purchase of a first home. One of the unique benefits of a Trump Account is that the government will fund the first $1,000 in each and every account. After that, parents or employers can contribute up to an additional $5,000 per year, with a limit of $2,500 coming from employers. Unlike investments in other tax-deferred accounts, like 529 plans, IRAs and 401(k) plans, investments within a Trump Account are strictly limited to a U.S. stock market index fund. Find Out: Comparison of Trump Accounts With 529 Plans Here's a side-by-side comparison of the basic provisions of a Trump Account with a 529 plan, which is a commonly used, tax-deferred college funding account. Trump Account 529 Plan Government Contribution $1,000 $0 Contribution Limit $5,000 annually Variable; typically in the $300,000 range over the lifetime of the account Investment Options A U.S. stock index fund Typically a range of mutual funds or ETFs Taxation of Withdrawals Fully taxable; 10% penalty before age 59 1/2, with some exceptions (first-time homebuyer, education, etc.) Tax-free if used for education; earnings are fully taxable otherwise, with a 10% early withdrawal penalty if not used for qualified purpose Account Ownership Child's name; could affect student aid Account owner's name (typically a parent); reduced FAFSA impact Tax Treatment of Contributions Funded with after-tax money Funded with after-tax money Withdrawal Time Frame Not allowed until after age 18; taxable upon withdrawal Anytime, but must be used for education to be tax-free Risk Level 100% equity portfolio; restricted withdrawals until 18 More diversified investment options Asset Management One investment option State investment plans or professional advisor; some DIY options So What's the Verdict? As Michael Reynolds, a certified financial planner at Elevation Financial in the Indianapolis area, told NPR, 'I'm going to take the thousand dollars, definitely. Nothing wrong with that.' But beyond that, most advisors suggest that 529 plans might be the better option. Here are some of the main advantages of a 529 plan over a Trump Account: Higher maximum contributions over life of account More diversified investment options Accounts count as parents' assets, not child's assets Money can be withdrawn at any time, instead of being locked in account until the child turns age 18 (taxes and penalties may apply). The main advantage of the Trump Account is the initial $1,000 in seed funding from the federal government. That, advisors agree, is something parents should take advantage of. But adding more money to these accounts — while better than not saving at all — may not be the optimal use of your child's investment funds. Editor's note on political coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Says Trump's Executive Order To Lower Medication Costs Has a 'Real Shot' -- Here's Why This article originally appeared on Should You Actually Invest Your Own Money in the Trump Baby Accounts?
CBS News
26 minutes ago
- CBS News
6-year-old shot while inside car in West Lawn neighborhood, police say
A 6-year-old boy is recovering after he was shot while inside a vehicle Friday night on the city's Southwest Side. It happened shortly after 9:30 p.m. in the 3700 block of West 59th Place in the West Lawn neighborhood. Chicago police said the boy was a passenger in a vehicle when someone in a white SUV heading westbound opened fire at the vehicle. The boy was hit in the rear and was taken to Christ Hospital in good condition. No other injuries were reported. As of Saturday, there is no one in custody. Area 1 detectives are investigating.
Fox News
26 minutes ago
- Fox News
Biden-era missing migrant children hotline went largely unanswered
Guard Against Trafficking founder Ali Hopper joins 'Fox & Friends Weekend' to discuss thousands of missing migrant children and a government hotline about their status that went largely unanswered under the Biden administration.
