SAMSON, Ala. (WDNews) — Samson Police Chief Wesley Stokes is urging residents to report complaints directly to his department instead of airing them on social media.
In a statement this week, Stokes addressed several concerns circulating online, including a recent altercation at a local business. Police said three employees were involved in a fight that began in the parking lot. Officers did not make arrests at the time due to a lack of evidence. However, video reviewed the following day confirmed the employees voluntarily engaged in a two-on-one altercation.
“Social media is stating the single subject involved in the fight was going to come back with a firearm,” Stokes said. “That was not reported to the officers when they arrived. If someone wants to file a complaint that did hear it, they need to do so.”
Stokes also addressed reports of suspected drug activity. He said a photo circulating online of two people outside the ice house “appeared to make some kind of exchange,” but noted the situation was not reported to police at the time.
“We cannot just go and violate rights and search every person we see on the street without their permission,” Stokes said. “That’s why we run investigations.”
The chief emphasized that his officers are committed to keeping drugs off the streets, but called it “a constant war.”
Stokes added that he maintains an open-door policy and encouraged residents to bring concerns directly to him.
“I love Samson, I love working here and I enjoy talking to the citizens,” he said. “But in the last two months all I’ve read and heard was Samson coming together to make things better. Now, all I see is individuals doing what they can to tear our town apart on social media with hate and internet law instead of Alabama law. Please stop this and help us make it a great town.”
