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Resident tells Hendersonville council police are 'targeting teenagers'; council receives complaint
Summary
Mark Harrington, a Hendersonville resident, used the public comment period to allege repeated incidents in which teenagers were threatened with firearms and later targeted by Hendersonville police. He said written complaints and emails to Chief Jones produced no effective response; no police representative replied during the meeting.
During the public comment portion of the June 9 Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, Mark Harrington of 114 Laurel Lane told the council he has repeatedly reported incidents in which teenagers were threatened and later, in his view, targeted by Hendersonville Police Department enforcement.
Harrington recounted an incident he dated to Nov. 16 in which a group of teenagers at his home were chased by adults and that at least one adult displayed a handgun. He said police were called and that on a subsequent occasion officers “laughed” when he provided evidence. Harrington said he has filed multiple written complaints and emailed Chief Jones but that the problems persisted: "When the officer arrived, he got out of his car and laughed and said, 'Y'all don't give up,'" Harrington said. He also told the council he was told by an officer that the department targets "teenagers with flashy trucks and big wheels." Harrington said the pattern has continued despite his complaints.
Harrington requested additional action from the council but was cut off when he exceeded the five‑minute public comment limit and was denied an extension. The transcript records no verbal reply from the mayor or a police representative during the meeting addressing his specific allegations; Harrington said he had contacted Chief Jones and filed complaints.
What was recorded: Harrington described a sequence of encounters involving police stops and alleged retaliation following his complaints. He said he and his family have started recording interactions (home video, cell phone video, dash cameras) and that he believes certain officers repeatedly target the same group of youths. He named specific locations where youth gather, such as the area around Target and Glenbrook.
Next steps recorded in the meeting: The transcript indicates Harrington has pursued the department’s internal complaint process and direct emails to the chief; the council did not take a public action during the meeting and no formal referral or investigation outcome was announced on the record.
Quote
"They [officers] laughed and said, 'Y'all don't give up,'" Mark Harrington said, describing an encounter when he tried to provide evidence to an officer.
Ending
Harrington’s allegations were made publicly during the meeting’s citizen comment period; staff and council did not record a direct response or formal referral on the record during the June 9 session. Harrington said he has filed complaints with the department and emailed Chief Jones.
