[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6253110,"mediaKeyId","3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8","parentId",3182993,"title","Gadsden sworn in five new officers; mayor says force at 93, goal 105; fire staffing near full","audioSeconds",108,"startMs",540180,"endMs",648950,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8&start=540&end=648","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8/thumbnail_540180.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253110/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-sworn-in-five-new-officers-mayor-says-force-at-93-goal-105-fire-staffing-near-full","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253110-4595ed535647810b00cb465669ced741/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445682&Signature=LaVZPaQaPlnWBf4baYnCqa3z5l-HBXJ0v78XLceLgTNPljsXObzxnJw9IN5Bdti8h5Dg5B01UeEg0w~6vCNAAT3ygNaeR-vgrrHN7Ki5ZRpLhogC~kyZmocIiU4eMnC5HOi6TVMJtfxASNBB3tFRSst~ygE1VlnBsxWiMmsqtwcee96HEdLu977hzkfA7~fxMbo8s7~5d6qoYAIVgCdivMEzI8FJ7oVYRC8PRwqBxaU70eeNxjAz45Rh98Coief5Z8OEnofqD15VdugjwcC59dJFiq7quaT-1ScT78IQk6rY4ecoHr3~J9VQdI~LTTON0ZZKwE3XUligf21dTbs8MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gadsden City, AL","date","2025-05-03T00:12:54.153Z","article","Mayor Craig Ford said Gadsden City swore in five new police officers and that the department now has 93 sworn officers, up from the low 70s when he took office. He reiterated a goal of staffing the department with 105 officers.

\"I put we swore in 5 new police officers this morning...When I started, we were in the low seventies of police officers, 72 or 73. Today, we have 93 police officers. My goal is to get to a hundred and 5 police officers,\" Ford said.

He described the training pipeline: about 8 or 9 officers recently finished the academy and are completing a field training phase Ford called \"FTA\" or ride-along training; the mayor said the full process from swearing in to solo patrol is approximately 10 months. Ford said the city has bought \"over 60 new police vehicles\" and is rotating vehicles annually and selling excess units on online auction platforms.

On the fire department, Ford said the department was at full staff earlier but has since had retirements and transfers; he said there are about 100 firefighters in roughly 108 authorized slots and the city is hiring to fill vacancies.

The mayor did not provide salary, hiring budget, or precise training schedules during the remarks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The Mayor's Minute for May 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Craig Ford said he swore in five new police officers, bringing the department to 93 officers with a goal of 105; he also described training timelines, vehicle purchases and near-full fire department staffing.","taxTitle","Gadsden City, Etowah County, Alabama","taxId",53910,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6253114,"Mayor: Covered bridge delay slowing completion of Gadsden State Sports Park parking lot",83,410875,494785,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8&start=410&end=494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8/thumbnail_410875.jpg","/articles/6253114/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Mayor-Covered-bridge-delay-slowing-completion-of-Gadsden-State-Sports-Park-parking-lot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253114-7a50b6f78248b57fc3e0998f0080398a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445682&Signature=aQQtTT9kDAgf~3Hw~IBjypWkUk3kXC8BN5bR4HDucBC~-l8REq3NzErx2~MODv9MrGNBRppcpLhE1th5~lrG8JdKlGAqyqJqBgUgt~uk47NkW~HXrasM9TPAzYlwEK6Gcmm52N9t-JtrVmLK0QoHt9HANGZd1orf1GA3~r3JstIQEVn-2H3EjZlmoPC8JpE6CzMG2ZLNMkAm0AcqnHbBEIe6B-UTvIYyJv2k~Zm1Tt1TyoQUMM4xBuFkyBtTSYqZsiV6Y-tGc~aPfib9nfiRvfco6EP0Nlc4f3tH~zwePTyd7NCin9LFprWnvcngjzGD594poowky3u9JCD7p6nK7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Craig Ford said construction of a parking lot for the Gadsden State Sports Park is delayed because a covered bridge that connects the lot with the adjacent softball and baseball fields has not yet been installed.

\"When we designed this in the beginning, we went in partnership with Gadsden State on a parking lot...The issue is there's a covered bridge that connects that parking lot to the Gadsden State men's and girls softball baseball field. That cover bridge is behind schedule,\" Ford said. He added that the city cannot finish the lot, then tear it up to install the bridge, so both partners are coordinating the schedule.

Ford said the site has expanded beyond initial plans and that he expects additional announcements about a partnership with Gadsden State involving post-secondary and sports-related activities. He did not give firm dates for the bridge installation or the new announcements.

The mayor emphasized the need to provide safe, adequate parking as tournament activity at the Sports Park increases.","Mayor Craig Ford said the Sports Park parking lot cannot be finished until a covered bridge that connects the lot to athletic fields is installed; the city is coordinating with Gadsden State on the work and on further partnerships.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6253119,"Mayor: Campground, duck boats and First Friday events drawing visitors and boosting downtown activity",129,255665,385165,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8&start=255&end=385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8/thumbnail_255665.jpg","/articles/6253119/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Mayor-Campground-duck-boats-and-First-Friday-events-drawing-visitors-and-boosting-downtown-activity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253119-3a970d94d895c07f25f3b1a3406d9c73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445682&Signature=kOPHM75wUYF7JsZU4orqmqq7DC9W5kgT9k-XZGp~vknFkjYR~LhnRs478JOSy1p0n7L~Qt9goRwIKu2-BBemQ6msnTmlBT3hKd85f02Vv1E2p7LXKSeshpJZXCR~gbaF0JcNFwSzjwwuXc0kJ1tnjcDFygDxlHXPN6SjIMbGb8h685GGDb3iPXY8~A2Z8LWlpj-9AKPDkflL-EMw~uMK56V7C4KsGasw-dD5o26IpR95LYRihtvcTBG~oVQ5zg46bNVdIzbBwy8elTBXqvBSTdzCdpfeeqUcSkhWFIjtpZ8lUQj6oBxOb6xRfO8trdSnwPaphwRugzgY1uwmF84krQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Craig Ford said Gadsden City's riverfront and downtown attractions are drawing visitors and supporting local spending.

\"The campground's packed every weekend, and it's bringing a lot of tourists, a lot of visitors to our area, who's spending a lot of money downtown and other areas,\" Ford said, praising campground staff and citing out-of-state visitors.

The mayor discussed river attractions: the city owns several duck boats that he said have paid for themselves within two years of operation, and kayaks are available on a self-rental basis. \"By the end of this summer, within 2 years, we're paid for all our duck boats,\" Ford said.

Ford also described First Friday downtown and amphitheater concerts. To reduce vehicle-related safety risks he said the city will require parked cars to remain until 8 p.m. when events overlap with evening concerts: \"So the concerts can start at 8PM...once you park it, you can't leave until 8PM. So that's a safety issue.\"

He noted a recent barbecue kickoff and a youth cooking component that will be improved, and invited residents to attend upcoming events. The mayor did not provide specific visitor counts, revenue figures, or contract terms for concession operators during his remarks.","Mayor Craig Ford said the city campground is packed most weekends, duck boats have paid for themselves, and First Friday and amphitheater concerts are active; he described a safety rule limiting car departures until 8 p.m. during First Friday.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6253124,"New Noccalula Falls fire station includes small police precinct and traffic cameras, mayor says",73,132080,205670,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8&start=132&end=205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8/thumbnail_132080.jpg","/articles/6253124/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/New-Noccalula-Falls-fire-station-includes-small-police-precinct-and-traffic-cameras-mayor-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253124-53ff7da169a33f5d441f268ba08975c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445682&Signature=Uttt-Zsdbudf7Xwxpivs1VwHEHk4wQcANSpaxl5~ECbBxxEinTDi3-2eV79W-6VukVcHjByKN1h0b5doUuMHdE-pBHFyUFke0CHoxHbe-qUZBYcpJR6aEWRXqZQG51KxerXgVLOgbzUzrZtMP7U-fkpE0sL6oZTLNVvweDkuGswDNOBXfjuWJEOYMLCAW09-AVriH0mRQYd6QIodiBqoG5FwBAB8yJ8DU66K~bIdAN8o9v~be4O3fZXcbSF6B39dpOZ~lv6C4pGob2NfoQHk255Pj192x1~MHNV5kG2vFaeEq1TLexRkhWVqMIsgpgiJuZ2IC9beizhC3Ohx1n2llw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Craig Ford said Gadsden City recently cut the ribbon on a new fire station at Noccalula Falls and described plans for a small police precinct and additional camera coverage tied to the site.

\"We also cut a ribbon on a fire station up at Noccalula Falls. That fire station is beautiful,\" Ford said. He told viewers the station includes a police presence \"on the front part\" that will be used for report-taking, paperwork and public contact rather than a 24/7 staffed precinct.

Ford said the precinct will include TV screens and recorded camera footage that can be used if a crime occurs in the area. He also described city use of plate-reading technology at intersections: \"We have cameras now called flock cameras that are at certain red lights...we get the tag number. We can identify the suspect, and then we can have them arrested,\" Ford said, adding the system has been used in Gadsden, Etowah County and surrounding cities.

The mayor said the station's exterior was designed with a log-cabin facade to fit the Noccalula Falls area and that he specified red doors and window accents as a recruitment and community-identity feature. He invited residents to visit the station.

Ford did not provide operational details such as staffing schedules for the precinct, data retention or the vendor contract for the camera systems during the remarks.","Mayor Craig Ford said the city cut the ribbon on a new fire station at Noccalula Falls that includes a police precinct area and will use cameras, including 'Flock' cameras at intersections, to aid investigations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6253129,"Gadsden volunteers collect 26 tons of trash; mayor credits new dumping rules",50,25295,75485,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8&start=25&end=75","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3182993-a9a1459ba08be5c332bd9a3dae9259f8/thumbnail_25295.jpg","/articles/6253129/Gadsden-City/Etowah-County/Alabama/Gadsden-volunteers-collect-26-tons-of-trash-mayor-credits-new-dumping-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253129-f8dab92c348e4d874d7950fb6dce7a09/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445682&Signature=BeJU8T2-f2doMe6hpGmgpDV6IIGZf6b9sxpGRmtRmiCHezRstB-dChz5XG1QV25BtLi8hp5vBly0wA74Ync-6Lc9xm22vF1XGcGKxQ5uGiaJzIPQpPlAndKcRAdbiWzvqap12N9fiLjfxm-6ywTlVN7QUxvmEPBRQSfrJ1Asz3cmZTRnZkHmmQvewG7YUykfBIMLv2RK8rVLnZwwgAwpW9Zg93TA5-OdSBDlfVLpz5dMaduIKPAmP7zzw88dAPEMqn4wSsikpP2QsFVRhYn1NrA5PO9KoysXHelgXFD~mMV0HXm1dnJNcahExyA2Nz3uoK5Rem6-KPN~zVdUCprTpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Craig Ford said Gadsden City volunteers and staff collected 26 tons of trash during a recent Earth Day cleanup, and he credited changes to local dumping and street-leaving rules for part of the improvement.

Ford told viewers that 55 volunteers joined city employees for the event. \"So this year, like last year, we have our city employees, and then we've also asked the public to participate. And we picked up 26 tons of trash in the city limits of Gadsden,\" he said.

The mayor said the city visited many of the same spots as the previous year and that crews found several areas cleaner than before. He praised the city litter crew and public works employees and acknowledged that some residents found ordinance changes difficult but effective. \"Not everybody loves change...but it's working,\" Ford said.

Ford also said the cleanup and enforcement have drawn attention from national organizations and local news outlets. He framed the effort as part of a broader push to improve Gadsden's image for economic development and tourism: \"When I first came in office...he said, you got a litter problem. Well, then at that point in time, I made a commitment to myself and to you. Hey. We're gonna clean up Gadsden.\"

City officials did not provide a complete list of neighborhoods covered or a per-site breakdown of tonnage during the mayor's remarks. Ford said some trash remains and that work will continue.

The mayor asked residents to support the effort and thanked employees and volunteers for the cleanup work.","Mayor Craig Ford said 55 volunteers and city crews collected 26 tons of trash during an Earth Day cleanup and credited recent changes to local dumping ordinances for improving cleanliness.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gadsden sworn in five new officers; mayor says force at 93, goal 105; fire staffing near full

Mayor: Covered bridge delay slowing completion of Gadsden State Sports Park parking lot

Mayor: Campground, duck boats and First Friday events drawing visitors and boosting downtown activity

New Noccalula Falls fire station includes small police precinct and traffic cameras, mayor says

Gadsden volunteers collect 26 tons of trash; mayor credits new dumping rules