By Ryan Lewis
Correspondent
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. - After two shootings in the Moore Park area last week, South Pittsburg officials are preparing to take action.
Police Chief Dale Winters said two men from Anniston, Ala., were in a hostile crowd at the park Sunday night and that one fired three shots in the air. Later that night, another shooting occurred in the same area. No one was injured, but three people have been arrested.
Those gunshots came two weeks after shots were fired in the city's public housing complex, he said.
"It is gang-related," said Chief Winters. "We're going to try and stay on top of it."
He said extra police will be on hand for the National Cornbread Festival on April 24-25.
"We're taking every precaution we can to keep it safe so the people can come out and enjoy themselves," he said.
Jermichael Taylor, 25, and Shawndreko Eugene Carter, 20, both of Anniston, were caught two blocks from the park after the April 11 shooting, he said. Both are believed to be members of the 357 Crips, the chief said.
Mr. Taylor is charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
Mr. Carter is charged with public intoxication, underage drinking and disorderly conduct.
Later that night, officers from the city police, Marion County Sheriff's Office and ATF went to a house and arrested Kelly Mitchell, 22, who they said was in on the fight at the park. He is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, the chief said.
At a City Commission meeting last week, officials discussed adding more lighting in and around Moore Park and installing video cameras in all city parks.
South Pittsburg Mayor Mike Killian said he doesn't want the gang turf wars he sees in Chattanooga coming to his town.
"I get up every morning and look at the news to see how many got shot," he said. "We have got our part of it now."
South Pittsburg Housing Authority Administrator Terry Case said the city is actively seeking to evict seven public housing residents for participating in unlawful behavior.
"We're going to do what we have to in public housing," Mr. Case said. "We're not going to override people's rights, but we have warned these folks. We're being aggressive and taking some proactive steps."
Commissioner Charles Reynolds said he wants to see the police take the initiative in the Moore Park area as well.
"Instead of easing through in patrol cars, park those things and do a little foot patrol up in these parks," he said.
Mr. Killian said he has heard from residents who are fearful this is just the beginning.
"We've got to stop this," he said. "We've got to stand up to these people. You don't need wimps for mayor, police chief, and housing authority administrator. That's not part of the job description."
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.