HENRY COUNTY, AL.: Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship is calling for new laws to close loopholes after a block party along Pine Street in Abbeville got out of control over the weekend and deputies couldn’t enforce city ordinances.
“I just want the message to be stern that we’re going to have zero tolerance for it moving forward because we want to keep everybody safe,” Blankenship said.
A birthday party drew hundreds of people to the block party. Blankenship said some of them became unruly, and gunfire rang out.
“There’s multiple laws being broken by doing so, not to include blocking of the roadways and loud music,” Blankenship said.
A similar incident happened outside of town about three years ago, leading county officials to pass a law regulating profit gatherings. That law does not apply inside Abbeville, and deputies could not enforce ordinances such as those against loud music and reckless behavior.
Blankenship said he hopes to work with local representatives on legislation that would allow deputies to enforce city ordinances, helping the two agencies work together to keep the community safe.
Blankenship said he has been talking to Abbeville Police Chief Marlos Walker about working to toughen laws and their enforcement.
Blankenship is also discussing possible fixes with state lawmakers as the next legislative session approaches in a few months.
