Reported by Mike Hobson
mike.hobson@centrevillepress.com
Last Thursday, August 17, 2023 videos that have been widely circulated on social media, network television, and major news outlets, show that police officers from Centreville and Brent were on the scene to remove two juveniles from a school bus, who were reportedly fighting. The after school loaded bus had pulled over in the parking lot by the El Comal restaurant. One juvenile is shown in the videos seated on the ground with his hands behind his back, handcuffed. Two officers are seen in the videos talking to the other juvenile. The videos that have been seen publicly were made by juvenile students on the bus, all who witnessed the entire event. Police video has not been made publicly available yet.
What happened when the mother of one juvenile, Latrivia Crews, arrived will now be a matter to be contested in the court system in the coming days. A violent fight erupted between Crews and a Centreville police officer which ultimately resulted in her arrest and incarceration. Everything that occurred in this brief 3 minute event is not captured in this article; there are more relevant details that will emerge from a complete investigation.
Crews is charged with second-degree assault, resisting arrest, first degree criminal mischief, second-degree hindering prosecution, and two counts of disorderly conduct. She is presently being held in jail and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 30 in the Bibb County District Court. Attorney Kacey Davis has been appointed to represent her.
Friends and relatives of Crews gathered outside of the Bibb County jail on Friday to publicly protest her arrest and to loudly vocalize their support for her and claim that she was a victim of police brutality. From the jail they continued their demonstration to the Bibb County Court House where about 50 people gathered to claim “Justice for Latrivia” and march peacefully around the courthouse. Television media was on hand to record their protest activity and interview participants. TV media also interviewed Centreville Police Chief Rodney Smith and Mayor Oakley who were unable to comment much publicly on the investigation that will undoubtedly be tightly controlled as the coming days click by.
4th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. issued a Press Release on Friday August 18 to let the public know that his office is working with independent outside law enforcement agencies to lead the investigation into this incident. Local Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones is the prosecutor of record as of this report.
We reached out to Centreville Mayor Mike Oakley for a statement. His complete response follows:
“In response to a recent incident involving a Centreville Policeman and a civilian, Police Chief Rodney Smith and I made the decision to turn the investigation over to an external agency.
We realize the importance of an impartial and thorough investigation to ensure transparency and justice in situations like this. We will refrain from commenting on specific details at this time, but we remain committed to fostering a peaceful and loving community.
I wish to extend thoughts and prayers to all involved, emphasizing the importance of unity and tranquility during this challenging time. By expressing the desire for peace, we aim to promote healing and understanding. I believe it is important to create and maintain a harmonious environment where individuals can feel safe and supported.
The decision to involve an outside agency in the investigation clearly demonstrates our commitment to impartiality and fairness. By entrusting the process to an independent entity, we will ensure a thorough examination of the incident, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the events. I believe this approach will help build trust between law enforcement, the community, and the city administration.
As always, we remain dedicated to upholding the principles of justice, accountability, and community well-being. We also recognize the importance of open dialogue, active listening, and constructive engagement to address concerns and work towards positive change.
I would like to again thank you for allowing us to serve you as we move forward toward better days and a brighter future.
We have placed the officer involved on administrative leave pending the investigation.”
