Alabama sheriff's office removes photo of Christmas tree with mug shots after backlash, threats
A sheriff's office in Alabama deleted a Facebook post that included a doctored photo of a Christmas tree decorated with mug shots after facing backlash from civil rights groups and reportedly receiving death threats.
The Mobile County Sheriff's Office shared the photo of the tree Thursday, which was topped with plastic orange sandals like those given to inmates, according to screen captures of the since-deleted post shared by local media.
“We have decorated our Tree with THUGSHOTS to show how many Thugs we have taken off the streets of Mobile this year! We could not have done it without our faithful followers!” said the message.
The post went on to say the department was offering items from its property room for "ALL MOBILE COUNTY THUGS."
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"But that's not all, after you choose your one stolen item, your very own personal concierge #correctionsofficer will provide an escort to METRO DELUXE where you will receive your FREE COVID TEST," according to screen captures of the post. "If you pass your test, then your concierge will take you for a 'custom fitting' to receive your Holiday Jumpsuit with matching 'flap flops.'"
The post was part of a series called "thug Thursday," sheriff’s spokesperson Lori Myles told Paste BN in an emailed statement, in which the Mobile County Sheriff's Office shares photos of people who are wanted for various crimes.
Myles told the Associated Press the post was meant to show the community and police can use social media to help solve crimes and that the photos represent repeat offenders. Some of the more than 7,900 people who commented on the post were supportive but many were critical of what they viewed as cruel and demeaning treatment, the Associated Press reported.
JaTune Bosby of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama pointed out in a statement most people arrested for crimes struggle with mental illness and substance abuse.
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“They need the community’s assistance and care, not open scorn from leaders,” she said. "We hope the Sheriff and his employees hear the resounding disdain their actions have brought and realize this type of divisive and cruel messaging does not serve the community.”
The Mobile chapter of the NAACP said it has reached out twice to the sheriff's office about the "irresponsible" and "unacceptable" post but had received no response.
Myles said the department received death threats and negative messages from outside the community.
"There is no post more important than the lives of our deputies and the work they do in our Community," she said. "If this post jeopardizes the relationship between law enforcement and other communities then we felt it best to remove it."
Contributing: The Associated Press
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