Due to continued rain in the forecast, the town hall meeting planned for tonight has been postponed until next Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. at Reverend James Donald Rice Park, 511 Pleasant Street.
District 1 City Director Erin Holliday and District 2 City Director Elaine Jones are hosting two town hall meetings for Hot Springs Police Chief Chris Chapmond to engage with their constituents. The first of the two town hall meetings was held on Monday, Sept. 21, and it focused on residents and businesses located downtown and north of downtown. The Park Avenue Community Association collaborated on the event.
The town hall being rescheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Reverend James Donald Rice Park will focus on residents and businesses south of downtown and across District 2. The Gateway Neighborhood Association is partnering in this event.
The town hall events are open to all residents and will focus specifically on the neighborhoods in Districts 1 and 2. Participants will be asked a series of questions via pre-printed note cards. Their answers will be collected and serve as talking points for Chapmond. He will address area concerns and public perception about safety, as well as the role of the police in our communities. He will also share his vision for Hot Springs.
Chapmond assumed the position of Chief of Police for the Hot Springs Police Department on July 1, 2020. He returned to Hot Springs after serving as the Chief of Police in Bluffton, South Carolina for almost two years. He formerly served with the Hot Springs Police Department for 22 years in various roles and ranks.
“I was inspired to invite the Chief into our neighborhoods because of his approach to community policing,” Director Holliday stated. “Chief Chapmond really stood out among the applicants because of his vision for the department to be part of a holistic approach to healthy communities, and how he sees their role as being proactive not just punitive.”
Because of Covid-19, face masks will be required and social distancing will be observed. Seating will be provided, and door prizes will be given at each event. For more information, please contact Director Holliday at ehollidayhs@gmail.com or call 501-318-4139.