Anniston town-hall highlights animal-control steps, street grants and expanded reporting system

Anniston officials and residents met at the South Highland Multipurpose Center in a public town-hall where citizens raised a range of local concerns—litter and volunteer cleanups, aggressive stray dogs, street lighting and drainage, summer youth programs and shelter capacity for people experiencing homelessness.

Residents repeatedly called for practical fixes and clearer channels for reporting. "We would very much appreciate a light and a camera" near South Lane, said Andrew Parker, owner of a business on East Lincoln Street, describing a robbery and vandalism incident at his facility. Other participants described persistent litter near the YMCA and Zen Park and several reports of stray or aggressive dogs in residential areas.

City staff outlined several near-term actions and existing programs. A city staff member announced that the city has "signed paperwork" to hire a second animal-control officer and said the city had doubled kennel capacity from about 10 to 20 slots through arrangements with the county shelter and…