Chief Eric Rush News Today

By Erica Thomas, managing editor TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department and surrounding agencies have seen a major increase in the number of crack cocaine cases being investigated. Police Chief Eric Rush said he is concerned the comeback of the drug could lead to another epidemic. “Crack is a drug that was very popular in the 80s and 90s but has been almost non-existent in our area in the past 10 to 15 years,” said Rush. “It is alarming to me that it is making a comeback.” With...

By Erica Thomas, managing editor TRUSSVILLE — A new drop box has been placed in the Trussville Police Department lobby to help keep dangerous prescription drugs off the streets. The Medication Disposal Drop Box will be available for citizens to drop off expired or unused medications. According to Blue Cross, almost 40% of people who are addicted to opioids didn’t have a prescription for themselves in more than four months. This means that most of them were getting their pills from someone ...

By Erica Thomas, managing editor TRUSSVILLE — A Jefferson County judge ruled in favor of the Jefferson County Personnel Board after over a year and a half of back-and-forth between the board and the city of Trussville. The legal battle began in April of 2019 when the city passed an ordinance (2019-020 (ADM), to create its own civil service system for city employees and to hire its own Director of Personnel. This, after decades of operating under the Jefferson County Personnel Board. According...

From The Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE — An organization that provides training to law enforcement on how to handle cases involving those with special needs, made a visit to Trussville on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Interaction Advisory Group (IAG) conducted the training on autism and developmental disability, with the Trussville Police Department. The training took place at the Trussville Civic Center. Nearly one in five people live with special needs. Co-founder of IAG, Dustin Chandler, said...

From The Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE — Trussville Police are once again reminding residents to lock their cars after two vehicles were stolen in one night. A 2019 Dodge Ram was stolen sometime between Saturday, Jan. 30, and Sunday, Jan. 31, from a home on Spring Street. There was also a firearm inside the truck. The same night, a Chrysler 200 was stolen from a home on Parc Brook Lane. Both vehicles were left unlocked with keys inside, according to investigators. Police said both vehicles...

By Erica Thomas, managing editor TRUSSVILLE — The day after a shooting inside Walmart in Trussville, the Trussville Police Department is in full force in the most concentrated crime-fighting effort in the department’s history. Police Chief Eric Rush said he is “taking Walmart back” after seeing an increase in crime at the location off Chalkville Mountain Road. He has mobilized a specialized unit to the area that will look for crime and enforce the law. “It won’t only be visibility, ...

By Erica Thomas, managing editor TRUSSVILLE — New school zone lights are up and running around schools in Trussville, after over a year of studies and planning. The discussion first began in October of 2019, after residents behind Cahaba Elementary School voiced concerns at a city council meeting. After hearing the concerns, the city’s Public Safety Committee began discussing ways to ensure the safety of students. Police Chief Eric Rush said after a traffic study, it was determined that fla...

By Erica Thomas, managing editor TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department made an arrest in connection to a string of property crimes including car break-ins that happened Dec. 20 – 27, 2020. Nicholas Xavier Waller, 20, of Birmingham, is facing multiple charges after investigators obtained surveillance video from a resident on Dawn’s Way and identified him as a suspect. Waller is in the Jefferson County Jail on four charges of unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle, three charge...

From The Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Council met five days early for its last meeting of the month, on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. The council held its workshop and meeting on the same night. The council passed a proclamation establishing that January 2021 will be Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Trussville. Julia Meyers, with the Junior League of Birmingham, addressed the council about the importance of enhancing public welfare and awareness of human trafficking. ...

From The Tribune staff reports TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department arrested two people after a shoplifting case turned into a near-death experience for one officer. Reginald Jermaine Nelson, 39, of Birmingham, and Tavares Prince Nelson, 39, of Ensley, are both charged with attempted murder and robbery. Trussville Police were first dispatched to Walmart on a call about a shoplifting incident at 9:50 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. The suspect was accused of stealing $122.60 worth of...