Mayor Tomeka Butler of the 3,000 resident city of Eudora, Arkansas announced on December 27 that because the city has experienced more than ten shootings recently, officials are enforcing a mandatory emergency curfew until January 3.
The shootings included one which killed a local resident on December 24.
The emergency curfew is in effect during the hours of 8 pm to 6 am, with exceptions for people going to their jobs and medical emergencies.
Mayor Butler also said that law enforcement officers will stop and search people caught out on the streets during curfew hours. She further added that the multiple shootings have been out-of-the-ordinary for the city. She asked community members to work together to stop the violence. Many residents of Eudora assembled in a local church and voted to extend the curfew until January 3, 2023.
One community member said they needed extra help as dead people have been found on the streets. Others noted a lack of resources available in Eudora and that the problem is too big for local law enforcement to handle.
The Eudora Police Department has not yet arrested anyone for the homicide case and it is still investigating the shooting incidents. There have been quite a few department limitations, including outdated equipment, a tight budget, understaffing, and broken vehicles.
According to a police sergeant, officials cannot act on tips from community members because residents are afraid to come forward with information.
No matter how prevalent gun violence is in the country, it is even more unsettling in a small community like Eudora. Chief of Police Mike Pitts said they would continue to work and investigate until they get justice for the community members whose lives have been destroyed by the shootings. The community has been reminded and assured by local authorities that they will not rest until the crimes stop.
“This action was by no means taken to violate any constitutional rights of any citizen, any business owner, any religious believer, or anyone traveling through the city of Eudora,” Mayor Butler said.
