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Smithfield council member urges end to post-election rumors, affirms police funding
Summary
A council member and the incoming mayor told residents the Smithfield Police Department will continue to be funded and trained, denying social-media rumors about defunding and a 'pre-chosen' appointment; they urged residents to stop spreading conspiracies and engage directly with leaders.
A member of the Smithfield City Council used the opening portion of the Nov. 17 meeting to rebut circulating rumors and call for civility. The speaker denied leaking a video of Ted Stokes, said John Engler was not 'pre-chosen' for a role and emphasized that the Smithfield Police Department is "not being defunded and is not being taken apart." The speaker said she and mayor-elect Aaron Rudy signed a letter assuring officers their jobs are safe.
The council member said the rumors—spread on social media and in-person—have harmed relationships in the community, created panic within the police department and divided neighborhoods and church groups. She urged residents to reach out to city officials, including the incoming mayor, to resolve concerns rather than amplify allegations.
The remarks were part of the meeting's opening announcements and were intended to "dispel that rumor right now so that our city can pull back together," the speaker said. No formal policy action was taken on the subject during the meeting.
Council members did not move to change department budgets in the meeting; the statement was framed as an assurance and an appeal for better community engagement.
