Hoover, Alabama is suffering from the turmoil of recent Thanksgiving Day Riverchase Galleria Shooting that left 1 dead, two wounded, and the city in chaos. Regardless of your political leanings or opinion on the situation, the events in Hoover have deeply affected the lifestyle of the Community and this year’s Christmas shopping economy. Many people are attempting to adjust to the change of lifestyle among protests, boycotts, and a controversy surrounding the police. November 22, 2018, Thanksgiving Day, police officers responded to calls of shots fired within the Galleria mall. Hoover police officers opened fire on a patron that was believed to be the gunman but they later announced that the victim, EJ Bradford, was an innocent bystander.

Protests within the city erupted after the police shot and killed the wrong man and published his name as the assailant. Many within the community were outraged at the deadly mistake and took to the streets of Hoover to protest Emantic Bradford Jr’s murder. The murder of the innocent young man as well as the protests has left shop owners at an economic disadvantage as many are avoiding the area and choosing to spend their money elsewhere. Protesters seek to be heard by Hoover community officials as well as local law enforcement concerning Bradford Jr.’s death and seek justice for the slain man as well as equalize any contentions that lay between the police department and the community. Many within the community have sought to ease the financial burden of shop owners within Hoover, Alabama by raising money through fundraisers. The discord between protesters and Hoover officials is dismal and it is understandable how the community would band together to assist their neighbors during hard times and is something wonderfully Alabamian. Recently, there was been a fundraiser under the hashtag #hooverstrong created by a Patton Creek business owner. These shirts are supposed to let the community know that Hoover is open for business and offer a portion of the proceeds to buy gift cards for Hoover’s law enforcement. This business owner has created a fundraiser to financially fund Hoover police officers after it has been established that they shot and killed an innocent Black man that was simply attending Black Friday sales. Regardless of the intention of the fundraiser, the effort has come across as daft and insensitive to the community and supporting the actions of police even as they possibly commit criminal wrongdoing.

The solidarity with the police despite their homicidal action only fuels racial discord. Police departments, like other government entities, are allotted a fiscal amount during the previous year for serving their communities. The recent protests do not affect the efficiency of the government to financially protect the community. The donations to the police during this situation, however, only seem to send the message that the murder of an innocent young man is permissible. Holding Hoover Police Department responsible for the murder of EJ Bradford is in no way antipolice. Just as any citizens commit crimes, the bodies that govern us but also be held responsible for their actions. In order for the police to succeed in protecting their community, they must receive the proper training and be held to the highest standards. A well-trained department is an asset to the community and betters the lives of everyone. Although police are an important part of the community that is tasked with the safety of its residents, this move is in turn only greatening the rift between the communities that Hoover hosts during a time where community solidarity is most needed. Instead of funding the police department that certainly has responsibility for the death of EJ Bradford, why not raise funds for the store owners that are suffering from the lack of commerce? Why not send the Bradford family flowers for the tragic loss of their child? Why not fund community meetings to become part of the solution that creates a just solution for the community and the city of Hoover instead of dividing it even more? If the protests, the lack of economic strength, or death of an innocent young man move you to action, make sure that your actions are those of someone seeking to edify their community for all of their residents. Funding the very establishment that is responsible for homicide instead of actually making Hoover strong can in turn only stratify the community even more. In a time of so much community upheaval, it’s time for the community to also be mindful of their actions and not contribute to the problem. Let’s not forget that Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. could have been anybody’s son. He was just another citizen wanting to spend his money in Hoover.