Selma city councilwoman wants American Deli to provide security to reduce crowds and gun violence

Selma City Councilwoman Jannie Thomas wants American Deli to tell the council what it will do to increase security at its US 80 location.

Thomas said that the eatery has attracted unruly and dangerous crowds since it began operating 24 hours a day. She said folks gather in the parking lot to drink and play loud music, which leads to fights and occasional gunfire.

“If they (American Deli) keep their business license, they have to be responsible and have some type of security out there,” Thomas said at the city council’s Oct. 23 work session. “People want something done about the violence being carried on out there on that highway (Highway 80).”

Selma Police Chief Kenta Fulford said that he agreed that the business needs to have security officers who can disperse crowds. A man was killed in a shooting in July 2024 in the American Deli parking lot.

Councilman Michael Johnson called for a citywide response because the dispersed crowd will simply move elsewhere. He reminded the council that they heard about similar issues with unruly crowds along Water Avenue a few weeks ago.

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City Attorney Major Madison Jr. said he would talk with other city attorneys to see what they are doing to address crowd control.

Thomas also said she wanted speed bumps to be added to slow traffic on Cedar Drive and Second Avenue. Selma Assistant Fire Chief Walter Dailey said that fire trucks must come to a complete stop at each speed bump, which would slow response time.

The city council revisited the touchy issue of alcohol licenses. New alcohol licenses for two Highland Avenue package stores failed on a 4-4 tie vote on Oct. 14, which led to a heated discussion between Councilwoman Christie Young and outgoing Councilman Sam Randolph.

Young called for a moratorium on new alcohol licenses for package stores, while Randolph said that not approving package stores but allowing gas stations to sell beer and wine was discrimination.  

On Oct. 23 the owner of Selma Sprits and Tobacco on 1310 W Highland Ave. asked the city to reconsider their 4-4 vote, which prevented his license from moving forward. The council took no action, but the subject prompted Randolph to call out the council for its position on alcohol licenses. Young, who was presiding over the work session, waved off the discussion and moved the council on to the next subject.