Monkey Business in Monkeytown

Exactly when Montgomery, Alabama got its nickname “Monkeytown” might be lost in unrecorded history. Some people claim it started perhaps in the 1930’s or ‘40’s, when a single monkey escaped from the Oak Park Zoo’s Monkey Island and caused considerable mischief all over the local area. In the 1960’s and ‘70’s, when every trucker had a CB radio to keep in touch with the other truckers, they kept themselves informed about everything from good places to eat to the locations of the local speed traps. Often one would ask, “What’s your 20?” A typical reply would be, “Oh, I’m about 20 miles south of Monkeytown.”

“Monkeytown” is a well-deserved name. For decades, a great deal of “monkey business” has been done by various authorities to disrupt the livelihoods of both residents and visitors. They have included

everything from needles tax increases to punitive ordinances to the wanton destruction of hundreds of priceless historical homes and buildings. More recently came attempts to erase the names and monuments of our Confederate heroes who fought just as valiantly for their independence as our founders who fought King George III a half century earlier.

Officials have done frightful damage in numerous ways. One absolutely stupid move was to spend tons of tax money to build a downtown civic center, which wiped out four entire blocks of fine century-old historic buildings, completely ignoring the chronic lack of adequate parking space for anybody who would plan a major event there.

Some events that were planned or held there had terrible outcomes. In the 1970’s, a big coin show started out as a huge success. But at or near the end, a gang of thieves broke in and stole an estimated million dollars or more of rare coins, tokens, and related items and got away with their loot (while the police were focused on traffic violations instead of real crime). After an “investigation” and subsequent embarrassment, Mayor Emory Folmar decreed that no more coin shows shall be held in the civic center. Later, Folmar also forbade a planned UFC competition.

Of course, like many cities nationwide, Montgomery has suffered numerous ordinances impacting peoples’ rights on the use of their homes and other property. Property re-zonings were routinely granted to wealthy real estate developers but often denied to small Mom and Pop local businesses. Also, many people in outlying areas have been annexed into the city without their consent.

Justice in Montgomery can sometimes be problematic. Some years ago, a Montgomery police officer spotted a car parked in a secluded spot along a local street. He pulled up beside it and noticed a man sleeping inside. He knocked on the window to wake him up and told him that it was illegal to sleep in a car. He also noticed he was intoxicated and was doing it to sober up.

He ordered the man to drive to a nearby pay phone and call a friend or relative to come pick him up, but after repeated attempts, nobody answered. They were all asleep. The officer then arrested him and took him to jail for DUI.

The man asked for and received a jury trial, where he told his story. The officer testified that the penalty for DUI was a fine ranging from one dollar up to $100 or more.

Ten jurors voted guilty. The two others understood that the case was entrapment and voted not guilty. They knew that sleeping to sober up was the sensible and SAFE action to take. The officer had DENIED him that option. He had actually ORDERED him to drive to the pay phone and thus ENTRAP him into a DUI charge.

The jurors re-voted multiple times with the same outcome. Eventually they became tired and weary. One of the “guilty” voters mentioned they could just fine him one dollar and be done with it. In the end, the two “not guilty” jurors relented.

The city had also FAILED to inform the jury that a DUI conviction, even one with a $1 fine, was still a serious blemish on the man’s driving record. Nor did it disclose the court costs, which were likely considerable.

Since the so-called “civil” war. Montgomery has enjoyed the title of “Cradle of the Confederacy” and visitors were greeted by stone markers placed along approaching highways-- “Welcome to the Cradle of the Confederacy.” Today, corrupt officials are re-naming streets with original Confederate names and have already erased the legacies of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis High Schools.

Some older residents still remember when the city imposed a detestable occupational tax onto all of its residents and even outsiders who did jobs in the city. Its announcement ignited massive protests from nearly everybody. Local hero GORDON TUCKER organized a movement titled ACTION AMERICA to fight the tax tooth and nail. Eventually, after reams of embarrassing publicity spread across the state, the city decided to repeal it.

If that, and numerous other government abuses are not enough torment, don’t forget that Montgomery is also Alabama’s Capitol city, and it has been notorious for many decades for nasty legislation that has hamstrung many Alabama citizens.

Long ago, people have forgotten the fundamental reason for having laws—to protect people from the wrongdoings of others—murder, injury, theft, property damage, etc. Our bloated assemblage of laws today is so overgrown with

victimless “crime” offenses, nobody can possibly be sufficiently informed to

validate “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” This plague of legalized bloat and excessive nannyism has now spread across our entire nation.

Since Alabama was founded in 1819, legislative abuse has expanded considerably. Originally, regular legislative sessions were held quadrennially (once every 4 years), and sessions were limited to 50 calendar days. In 1939, biennial sessions were approved, and finally, annual sessions began in 1976 with the maximum time limit extended to 105 days. Our legislature now has FOUR TIMES as much time to do mischief than it had before 1939.

Having too many laws is far worse than having too few. Never forget Thomas Jefferson’s iconic message—”He who is governed least is governed best.”

Just this year, in its infinite stupidity, our state legislature has opened up (after numerous times before) another “can of worms” to abuse the people.

This one might seem rational at first, but any reasonable thought can verify that it is not only useless and redundant, but also loaded with potential abuse and obstacles that will impair legitimate law enforcement.

It is an increase in penalties for fleeing a law enforcement officer. It is NOT for doing something reckless that could endanger other people. It is the simple act of fleeing, regardless of how safe. In fact, we ALREADY have stiff penalties for being reckless or dangerous. Why add more bloat?

But this bloat CAN entrap innocent people. A cop can arbitrarily start chasing someone on a whim, and that someone is driving safely and assumes the flashing blue light is for someone else. Since the motorist knows he is not violating anything, he just minds his own business.

Another problem is increased penalties can entice officers to be more zealous in pursuing people, since it adds money to their “piggy banks.” Instead of seeking ways to extort money from frightened citizens, officers must learn to refrain from pursuits that can be dangerous. If a suspect has committed anything less than a serious crime against a genuine victim, the wise decision is to just back off and allow the “suspect” to drive away safely without pursuit. Many cities have already adopted a back off policy when continuing a pursuit could be dangerous—but not “Monkeytown.”

Over-zealous pursuits can be DEADLY. About a decade or more ago, a Montgomery police officer saw a 14 year old boy going east on Wares Ferry Road at what he decided was a bit too fast. He chased the inexperienced boy, who panicked and fled down a hill. The boy attempted to make a quick left turn onto Johnstown Drive, skidded off the pavement, hit the curb, and died from his injuries. A rational person would call this manslaughter, but the officer was not charged with anything.

Meanwhile, while our “finest” are pursuing motorists for minor violations, they are largely neglecting their real duties to address serious crimes. When victims of many property crimes like break-ins, burglaries, and vandalism call the police to investigate, the response has often been, “There is nothing we can do.” Why can’t they take fingerprints and solve these crimes? Why are the police

overstaffed with traffic patrolmen and understaffed with detectives?

On February 26, 2026, the Alabama House of Representatives gave final

approval to a bill sponsored by State Senator Lance Bell, R-Pell City, “to increase penalties for eluding law enforcement.”

The bill, SB 233, sponsored by Bell, raises the base punishment from a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, to a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

“Under the bill, an individual will be charged with the Class D felony if they intentionally flee from an officer while operating a motor vehicle on a highway, road, alley or street. Individuals would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for eluding an officer on foot if they know the officer is attempting to make an arrest.”

“The bill passed 80-15 over objections from some Democrats. Rep. Napoleon Bracy, D-Prichard, raised concerns about knowing who is a police officer when officers could be in plain clothes. Other House Democrats cited the history of police brutality against Black Americans. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, said in her community, teenagers don’t feel protected by the police.”

If I was Kay Ivey and saw this abomination on my desk, I would immediately grab a paintbrush and a can of black paint and write “VETO” in bold letters onto the bill’s front page. We have prayed that Kay Ivey had enough common sense to do likewise and send it to the great Alabama trash can.

Unfortunately, Kay “Poison” Ivey does not have the backbone to veto this piece of garbage. She frankly admitted she will sign it when it reaches her desk. The bill will begin abusing people on October 1.

SOURCE

1. Lyman, Brian, Alabama House sends bill increasing penalties for eluding police to Gov. Kay Ivey, April 3, 2026.

https://alabamareflector.com/2026/04/03/alabama-house-sends-bill-increasing-

penalties-for-eluding-police-to-gov-kay-ivey/

THE VIEWS OF SUBMITTED EDITORIALS MAY NOT BE THE EXPRESS VIEWS OF THE ALABAMA GAZETTE.