Jefferson County, Arkansas – The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is pushing back against a series of claims circulating on social media, saying several statements made about the Metropolitan Emergency Communication Association and the W.C. “Dub” Brassell Adult Detention Center were not supported by facts.
In a statement issued September 9, the sheriff’s office warned residents to be careful about information shared on Facebook, particularly when it comes from sources that may have a political agenda. Officials said public discussions about emergencies and law enforcement should be based on verified information rather than rumors.
The statement followed comments made Monday by Chris Lowery, who criticized MECA during a Facebook Live video. Lowery alleged that people who call the emergency communications center for help are asked about their political affiliation.
MECA handles emergency communications for several law enforcement agencies in the area. Its partners include the Pine Bluff Police Department, White Hall Police Department, Redfield Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Police and Public Safety Department, and the Southeast Arkansas College Department of Public Safety. The organization also provides communication services for several fire departments, including volunteer departments.
Karen Blevins, coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management and the person who oversees MECA, said she has never received a report of a 9-1-1 caller being asked whether they are a Republican, Democrat or independent.
That directly challenges an allegation made by Lowery during his Facebook Live broadcast. Jefferson County Judge Ivan Whitfield, whose office manages MECA, also rejected the suggestion that emergency callers would be questioned about their political connections.
The sheriff’s office also addressed other comments from Lowery concerning how deputies respond to calls and how people are treated at the county detention center.
During the Facebook Live video, Lowery said that “when deputies respond to your home, the law should be enforced fairly, firmly, consistently.” He also discussed booking practices at the W.C. “Dub” Brassell Adult Detention Center and said that “it doesn’t matter about political party.”
The sheriff’s office said it agrees with that principle.
Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. emphasized that political affiliation has no role in how deputies carry out their responsibilities. The agency said its focus remains on serving the public rather than becoming involved in political disputes.
“Our deputies are expected to serve every citizen fairly regardless of who they support at the ballot box,” said Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. “Your vote is your business. Your safety is ours.”
The department’s response also focused on a separate social media claim involving the adult detention center.
On Tuesday, Lowery posted a drive-by video of the facility with the caption “they say Dub Brassell F Pod is on fire. Check on your people. Press conference? Transparency?” The sheriff’s office said that description was inaccurate.
Officials said there was no fire inside F Pod.
According to the sheriff’s office, inmates created a smoldering makeshift wick using toilet tissue. The wick was then placed inside the pod’s ventilation system, allowing smoke to move through the system.
Because of the smoke, Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services responded to the detention center. Authorities took steps to contain the situation and moved detainees from the affected area to a separate recreation yard as a safety measure.
The sheriff’s office said the incident did not result in a reported fire and that no one was injured because of the smoke.
The distinction is important, officials said, because a social media post describing the situation as a fire could quickly cause alarm among relatives of inmates and others in the community.
“We understand that information can travel quickly on social media, but speed should never come at the expense of accuracy,” said Woods. “Contrary to what has been circulated online, there wasn’t a fire at the detention center. When misinformation involves a jail, it doesn’t just create confusion; it can cause unnecessary fear for the families of those in our custody and concern throughout our community.
“We will always work to keep the public informed when an actual emergency occurs, but we will be equally diligent about correcting information that simply isn’t true.”
The sheriff’s office said transparency remains important when genuine emergencies happen. At the same time, officials said they believe false or unsupported claims should be challenged when they begin spreading publicly.
The dispute comes as social media continues to play a major role in how residents receive information about local government, police activity and emergencies. A claim posted online can spread rapidly before officials have an opportunity to confirm what actually happened.
That is why the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to distinguish between verified information and allegations made on social media. In this case, officials said both the political-affiliation claims involving MECA and the report of a fire at the detention center were not accurate.
Woods also indicated that he does not intend to continue responding publicly to every criticism or social media post involving the sheriff’s office.
“However, this will be my last statement in response to individuals with a history of being more interested in creating controversy than having a constructive conversation. I will not engage in an endless back-and-forth with those determined to provoke a reaction, distort the facts, or manufacture an issue where one does not exist.”
For the sheriff’s office, the central message is straightforward. Officials say emergency communications, law enforcement responses and detention-center incidents should be discussed using confirmed information, especially when inaccurate reports could create fear or confusion.
The department said its commitment to the community remains focused on providing service and keeping residents informed when real emergencies occur, while correcting rumors when they do not match the facts.
