There was a big turnout Monday evening for the Decatur City Council work session. More than 20 people, including the family of Steve Perkins, addressed city leaders with their questions and concerns about the deadly police shooting of their loved one.
Many people who got up and spoke called for the resignation of Mayor Tab Bowling, a leader who noticeably was absent at the work session.
Steve Perkins' brother, Nick, says the call for justice is only growing stronger day by day.
Nick Perkins said, “Other names in the past have died down...have kinda been swept under the rug. That won’t be the case for Steve. It’s being pushed out there. It seems like the numbers are getting bigger and bigger, and that’s what we need.â€
Several Decatur church leaders also spoke out at the meeting, including Pastor Patrick Tucker of Union Grove Primitive Baptist church, who called for Bowling to resign.
Tucker said, “The thing is, when things get tough as a pastor, I get to take the heat regardless if I like it or not. And by him not being here shows he’s not able to take the heat. And so in other words I call for your resignation effective immediately. Because if you want to give up in two years, don’t waste two more years when we need to rebuild this city so that it can be everything that it needs to be.â€
Catrela Perkins, the wife of Steve Perkins, says she won’t stop pushing for justice, especially for her kids.
Catrela Perkins said, “Avani is taking it very hard. She has her days every day. Of course she cries out for her dad. I mean it's wrong, it's hurtful, so that’s why I’ve gotta fight for justice.â€
The Perkins family says they want to see accountability from both the mayor and police chief.
Nick Perkins added, “One word: accountability. That’s for both of them, that's what we need, that's what this city deserves, that's what my family deserves, that's what Steve deserves. Accountability.â€
No new updates from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on their investigation or the Decatur Police Department’s internal investigation.
As of last week, the city of Decatur hired an attorney to help it comply with Alabama laws for the employment of police officers. As far as the officers involved, one is on administrative leave and two are on administrative assignment.
