On his Facebook page yesterday, Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons called the Orange Beach Police Department for “homeless dumping.”
He posted that an Orange Beach police officer in a marked police cruiser dropped off a homeless man at Waterfront Mission. “There comes a time when you say, ‘enough is enough…’ You cannot just abuse our tax dollars. We’re trying to get to help our own out, and surely someone in Alabama can fund their own programs.”
The City of Orange Beach released this statement:
Orange Beach Response to Escambia County Sheriff Post
The City of Orange Beach has received the footage and documentation related to a recent Orange Beach Police Department interaction that has been discussed on social media.
The footage confirms that the individual requested assistance from the Orange Beach officer and specifically asked to go to The Waterfront. The officer honored that request, treated the individual with dignity and respect and provided assistance, including helping him financially using the Police Benevolent Fund.
This was not a forced relocation. The Orange Beach Police Department does not have a “homeless relocation unit.”
“Our officer did what we would hope any officer would do in this situation. He listened, responded with compassion and helped the individual get to the place he asked to go,” said Ford Hanley, city administrator for the City of Orange Beach. “The public characterization of this incident is not supported by the facts.”
Orange Beach has a long history of working cooperatively with Escambia County and other regional partners. The city currently has two memorandums of understanding under review with Escambia County to provide regional support with emergency management services for Escambia County and fire protection for Perdido Key.
“Homelessness and access to the services are regional challenges that require communication coordination, not public accusations, “ Handley said. “Orange Beach remains committed to working constructively with law enforcement agencies, local governments, and service providers to connect individuals with appropriate resources whenever possible.”
The city will continue to handle these situations lawfully, professionally, and compassionately while protecting public safety and respecting the dignity of every individual involved.
After the statement was released, Sheriff Simmons responded with an update on his Facebook:
Please see the video posted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that contains body camera footage to contradicts the City of Orange Beach press release.
Why is this happening? Orange Beach Police Department “homeless relocation unit” recently traveled the 30 miles or so to Escambia County, FL to drop off an individual. Surely someone in Alabama has a heart to provide necessary services. Our tax dollars should NOT go to provide services to the entire southeast. #dobetter City of Orange Beach
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also got involved on its Facebook:
Recently the City of Orange Beach put out a press release indicating that an individual requested a ride from the Orange Beach PD, 30 miles away, to Escambia County, Florida. This information contradicts what the individual himself told our deputy, twice, as evidenced in the following body camera footage.
Regardless, we believe that taking the time to transport a person outside of your city, outside of your county, and even outside of your state is not conducive to a positive working relationship. And is certainly not fair to our tax payers!
P.S. We understand that the Mayor of Orange Beach made a snarky comment about our Sheriff….that’s cute
See video.
