During the public‑comment portion of the Forest Park council meeting, several residents raised sharply different concerns about city government and services. Resident Zach Parker said he has experienced years of harassment and discrimination he attributes to local officials and described feeling unsafe; others praised code enforcement for addressing neighborhood blight. Several speakers also complained that ordinances and fees discourage local business investment.

Zach Parker told the council he had “lived through years of harassment, retaliation, and humiliation in the very city that’s supposed to protect its people,” and said a councilmember told him in 2020 that the treatment he endured was because of “my goatee, my bald head, and my white skin.” Parker said the experience led him to sell his home because he no longer felt safe.

By contrast, Christine Ellington said she has lived in Forest Park nearly 30 years and commended the city’s code enforcement staff for prompt action, saying their response made her feel “safe and secure.” Anne Keith and other residents promoted community events such as a scarecrow contest and Hispanic Heritage Month activities. Carl Evans criticized what he called “restrictive, oppressive ordinances” and high taxes that he said deter businesses from locating in Forest Park.

Council members acknowledged the comments. Councilwoman Gunn publicly thanked code enforcement and the police chief for recent responses in the community; Councilwoman James said she heard a resident concern about music at a city event and asked staff to ensure events are family‑appropriate going forward. No council action was taken on the allegations during the meeting; the statements were part of the public‑comment record.