Mayor Wendell Lynch said they are looking into ways to increase security and safety city-wide after “a very unfortunate incident” occurred on the Greenway Rail Trail in Hopkinsville Tuesday night.
The mayor was referring to a reported rape that occurred in the area of Bahama Drive around 5:00 Tuesday afternoon. Hopkinsville Police reported a man grabbed a woman by the neck, pulled her into the woodline and raped her. The suspect was arrested Wednesday and was arraigned in Christian County District Court Thursday morning on charges related to the crime.
At Thursday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Mayor Lynch said they are vigorously pursuing options in understanding what happened and how to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
click to download audioIn addition, the mayor said the city, the Hopkinsville Police Department and Public Works are looking at ways to increase safety and security city-wide through the use of technology.
click to download audioHe assured council members and the public they are “taking this very seriously” and plan to have some recommendations to be considered by the council next month.
click to download audioIn new business, Community Development Services Assistant Director and Downtown Renaissance Director Holly Boggess requested authorization to submit a grant application to the National Endowment for the Arts. She said they are proposing the grant be utilized to implement a downtown arts festival which would require a $50,000 cash match.
After being asked by Councilman Chuck Crabtree what is a downtown arts festival, Boggess explained that it includes any types of art activities that can be envisioned.
click to download audioBoggess noted the grant application deadline is in August.
After a 9-1 vote, a municipal order will be forwarded to the city council for consideration at its next meeting. Crabtree cast the lone no vote.
