DOJ Help for Anniston delayed

A Department of Justice program to help issues in the Anniston community is still on track, despite the fact the program's staff is spread thin due to current issues across the country.   Anniston city manager Brian Johnson says that the program announced last week is not on hold. But it may be coming around slower than expected.  The Department of Justice Community Relations Service helps communities with tensions and conflicts, and works with city hall, the police force and citizens.  City officials contacted them following the departure of two police lieutenants who were alleged to be members of a hate group.  However, Johnson said he met with one of those officials last week.  He says he was told the CRS workers are stretched thin following the shooting of nine church members in Charleston and a number of fires at black churches throughout the country.

Despite uncertainty about a timetable, Johnson says the CRS is still expected to develop a program for Anniston, including training the city's police officers in racial sensitivity.