Councilman Pepper apologizes to police

Jul. 27—Councilman Hunter Pepper issued an online apology this week for a July 2 incident in which he had a conflict over fireworks with Decatur police Officer Celese Sharbutt and Sgt. Brandon Abbott.

Sharbutt responded to a 9:17 p.m. fireworks complaint at Pepper's Modaus Road Southwest home. As shown on body cameras, Pepper argued against her confiscation of the fireworks and declined to cooperate with her until she called her supervisor to the house. Sharbutt and Abbott spent a combined 42 minutes with Pepper on a busy holiday weekend while he argued against enforcement of a city ordinance banning fireworks.

The incident became public July 17 after The Decatur Daily viewed the bodycam footage of the two officers following an open records request to the city.

Sharbutt did not see who was shooting the fireworks from Pepper's driveway when she arrived on the scene, according to her statement to Abbott on the bodycam video, and Pepper and his friends would not say who owned them.

Pepper, who works for an ambulance service, wrote in a 5:25 p.m. Facebook post Monday:

"As a first responder, I have a deep respect for law enforcement and see up close what they deal with each day. Allow me to apologize for any of my actions or words which Officer Celese Sharbutt or Sgt. Brandon Abbott found to be disrespectful, or which made them feel disrespected. I have the highest respect for both these officers and for our law enforcement professionals.

"Finally, while the main point I wanted to make is that scarce 911 resources need to be reserved for medical emergencies, I wish I had gone about it differently and apologize to anyone who is disappointed by my decisions. I love this city and serving the people in it. It is my home. I am sorry."

Sharbutt, who confiscated the fireworks but did not issue a citation, told Abbott several times while at the scene that Pepper "is treating me like crap."

Pepper on Tuesday said he felt the need to issue an apology even though he continues to oppose the city's fireworks ordinance.

"For the two officers to feel they were attacked doesn't fit right for me as a city councilman," Pepper said.

He said he issued the apology after talking to a colleague of Sharbutt and Abbott while at City Hall for Monday's council work session.

"I felt it was the right thing to do to keep a good working relationship (with the Police Department)," Pepper said. "I have a lot of respect for them, and we need to work together to keep Decatur a great and safe place."

Abbott and Sharbutt on Tuesday declined to comment.

After criticizing Pepper for his July 2 actions, Councilman Carlton McMasters said he "is glad he realized he was wrong. I'm glad Hunter apologized. I wish he had done it sooner."

Council President Jacob Ladner said he urged Pepper to apologize.

"Based on (The Daily) article, the tone of the conversation (on June 2) was a little disrespectful. He owed them an apology," Ladner said. "I'll leave it up to the two police officers to decide whether his apology is enough."

Pepper continues to say he plans to propose an ordinance that would lift the ban and make fireworks legal in the city.

Ladner said he's "definitely open" to a discussion about the fireworks ordinance, and he would want Police Chief Todd Pinion, Fire Chief Tracy Thornton and the Legal Department involved in the discussion.

McMasters said most his feedback from the public has been negative about lifting or relaxing the fireworks ban.

"Lifting the fireworks ban isn't even on my list of top 100 things that need to be done in the city," McMasters said.

— bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432. Twitter @DD_BayneHughes.