Mayor Says Gun-Related Violence in Oxford Will Not Be Tolerated

Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill

Mayor Robyn Tannehill told the Oxford Board of Aldermen and community members Tuesday that gun violence may become the norm in other communities, but not in Oxford.

“Reportings of gun-related violence has become very prevalent. It’s become very frequent… in other places,” Tannehill said during the board meeting. “In Oxford, it has not. And it will not.”
Tannehill said she was proud to see officers of the Oxford Police Department in action and how responsibly they handled Friday night’s shooting incident at The Lyric.
“They were calm, they were professional, and they implemented a plan that they’ve had in place for a long time, in hopes they wouldn’t have to use it,” Tannehill said. “But they didn’t miss a beat.”
Tuesday morning, Tannehill met with Chief Operating Officer Bart Robinson, Chief of Police Joey East, representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, ATF and some other city department heads to discuss a solution against gun-related violence in Oxford.
“We are determined to be proactive,” Tannehill said in the Board of Aldermen meeting. “This weekend shows us that Oxford is not immune to these kinds of situations, but we don’t take them lightly.”
Tannehill told the audience to expect new policies and ordinances over Oxford’s entertainment venues in the near future.
“As a board, we are committed to putting in place protections, provide the best quality of life and provide the safest environment for our citizens,” she said. “We have the best public school district in the state. We have the most thriving downtown in the state. We have been listed on many lists as ‘the best small town in America.’ We have the most beautiful campus in America. And none of that matters if people don’t feel safe when they’re here.”

By Randall Haley, associate editor of HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at randall.haley@hottytoddy.com.