If you are in the crime business, you may want to find a new occupation says Bradley Bedwell

by Rickey Stokes | Jun 23, 2025 | Breaking News, News

Bradley Bedwell the District 3 Commissioner, during his comment section of the June 17 commission meeting, states city manager Randy Morris Even though the actual numbers show a drop of 20% in crime, the public doesn’t feel safe due to recent gun shots fired in public places. This I would like this real time crime center open sooner than later, if we can afford it. As a police force we are very reactive as of now, it is time for us to be proactive as we can as a police force.

Well Bedwell has requested and with full support of the rest of the commission, City Manager  Randy Morris has greenlighted the Real Time Crime Center. Renovations are underway in the old e911 building as we speak. The technology expense will be added to the budget and should be opened shortly after the new year in 2026.

What is a real time crime center. This is the ability to use technology to fight crime. This center will be set up like a command center at any army base with a staff of the command center tapped into all 2000 of the city  of Dothan’s cameras. If an event occurs, staff can deploy additional technology and police officers  as soon as an event happens in real time. Additional technology will start in the forms of high tech drones with infrared capabilities, livestream, and recording capabilities. These drones will be housed on top of all the fire stations, that can be deployed remotely by the staff at the real time crime center. Another layer of technology that Bedwell and the rest of the commissioners will approve will be the Shotspotter technology that will pinpoint any shot fired at the city limit, which will give the staff the ability to deploy a drone by the crime center, and record and follow the shooter, until the real police officers arrive. Commissioner Bedwell says if you shoot into the air in Dothan Alabama, you aren’t going to be able to get away with it anymore. He also said when I was running uncontested at the end of this May, this is the reason I asked for an opponent. One of my opponent was stating crime was higher, even though official dothan reports doesn’t show that in the numbers. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter that crime is down 20 percent compared to 2020, it pointed to a perception that people don’t feel safe. Although the realtime crime center would have been built eventually, we couldn’t wait on it Bedwell said, not with people not feeling safe. It may cost money to get started, but it people don’t feel safe to go out and go shopping, the difference in loss of sales tax will cover the entire cost of the realtime crime center. He has an idea to bring all the schools by when it opens, so our kids can see if they commit a crime, they will not get away with it. He finished with if you are in the crime business in Dothan, you may want to find a new occupation.

07:39 AM. Saturday Chase Henry County

by Rickey Stokes | Jun 22, 2025 | Breaking News, News

HOUSTON COUNTY:    A Henry County Sheriff Patrol Deputy clocked a vehicle at a high rate of speed on Saturday morning.

The Henry County Sheriff Patrol Deputy turned around, activating his blue lights and siren. The vehicle sped up.

The police pursuit took a turn from a county road onto Henry County Road 99 which leads from Headland to Abbeville.

Henry County has four primary law enforcement agencies which are Henry County Sheriff Department, Abbeville Police Department, Newville Police Department and Headland Police Department.

Henry County Sheriff Department, Abbeville Police Department and Newville Police Department operate in the same radio channel with Headland Police Department operating on  a radio with only their department. The Henry County Central dispatch is located in the old Headland Police Department.

With Abbeville Police operating on the same radio the Abbeville Police Officer was able to get into a position to deploy the spikes.

07:14. Northbound on Henry County Road 99

07:14. Spike set out by Abbeville Police

07:14. The chase passing  County Rd .41

07:15.  Spikes set and awaiting

07:15.  The chase is entering Abbeville city limits. A successful spike which means TIRES FLAT!!!

07:16. Suspect is Driving through yards

07:17.   They are located in the 500 block Dothan Road

07:19.   Suspect in the 500 block behind a garage.  Suspect is in custody of law enforcement.

07:20.    Suspect vehicle has Georgia license plates

07:30.     Request rescue patient. Suspect has a illness with a medical term “ I AM GOING TO JAIL, I FEEL SICK!!!!”.

The arrest was made at 534 Dothan Road, Abbeville Alabama.

The suspect was transported to Henry County Jail. It was determined the suspect was a felon in possession of a firearm. It was determined that the suspect was on a 15 year probation in Georgia.

The Georgia Pardons and Parole have ahold on the subject. He will remain in Henry County Jail, SITTING for trial. Afterwards he will go to Georgia where his probation/parole will most likely be revoked.

Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship was on the scene.