A Message from Mayor Stimpson - October 26
Oct 26th, 2020
Good evening,
It is 8 p.m. on Monday, October 26, and I am writing to give you an update from the City of Mobile.
Today, the Mobile County Health Department reports 17,033 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 22 cases. Though there was a large increase in cases last week due to a backlog of unreported results dating back to June, reports of new cases over the weekend were more in line with the trends we've seen over the past several weeks. To review the Mobile County Health Department's weekly report, click here.
Over the last two weeks or so, my team and I have received a number of emails and calls from residents reporting debris from Hurricane Sally that has yet to be collected. I wanted to let you know that we are aware of these reports and are actively sending them to our crews on the ground.
While we have completed an initial pass through the city, we are not done collecting debris. Crews from our public works department and a private contractor are still working seven days a week, and we have dispatched additional assets to speed up the collection of roadside trash. If you have not seen your debris cleared by Thanksgiving, please contact 311.
I would also remind you that our crews are able to collect trash and debris more quickly when it's sorted: one pile for vegetation, another for construction debris and plastic bags and a third for electronics, appliances, tires, etc. We're also still accepting bagged yard debris at James Seals Community Center at 540 Texas St. and Langan Municipal Park at 4901 Zeigler Blvd from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
As the mayor, I'm occasionally privy to information coming from the violent, dark side of our community - murders, drug overdoses, sex-trafficking, child abuse, etc. All of it is heartbreaking. We have 1,000's of people working everyday in the areas of prevention, counseling and law enforcement who are dedicated to reducing the impact upon our citizens and community.
Today, I joined the U.S. Attorney's office, Mobile Police Department, Mobile County Sherriff's Department and several other federal agencies to announce the indictment of 42 individuals on charges related to opioid distribution and deaths caused by overdose. This is a major milestone for law enforcement and justice being served for the illegal distribution of opioids, heroin, and fentanyl. Getting these dealers off our streets will make our City safer and will hopefully be a key ingredient to bringing closure to those who have lost loved ones to overdoses.
Late yesterday, I had a conversation with the father who lost his son to this scourge. During the conversation, he told me that his wife had used their son's phone to call the dealer who sold their son the drugs that killed him. In what must have been a very emotional heart-wrenching moment, she told him that she forgave him for killing her son. What grace! This was something she had to do as part of their grieving and healing process.
Many reading this tonight know of a family or have a family member struggling with drug addiction. I'm not qualified to give advice except to say that I hope you will do everything in your power to convince your children, family and friends to never take the first step toward drug use. I'm grateful knowing that some of those who have profited from the deaths and addiction of their victims will be held accountable. Today was a victory in our pursuit to make Mobile a safer and more family friendly city.