Debe Hollingsworth Says Crime is Top Priority in Pine Bluff
By: Adam Rodriguez
Updated: November 8, 2012
Pine Bluff's Mayor Elect, Debe Hollingsworth, says she's the right woman for the job.
"I'm very result-oriented, but I'm a no-nonsense person," Hollingsworth said. "I'm going to tell you like it is."
Hollingsworth says she's surprised by her big win Tuesday night. The political newcomer won 49 percent of the vote in the city's mayoral election, handily beating incumbent mayor Carl Redus and seven other candidates
"I think the people spoke, and I think the people spoke loud and clear for what they want," Hollingsworth said.
Hollingsworth ran on a promise to combat crime, and she re-iterated that commitment Thursday, saying addressing the city's crime problem was her top priority.
"In all the meet and greets, of all the people we've spoken to, crime is the number one issue," Hollingsworth said.
So does the mayor elect plan on making changes at the Pine Bluff Police Department? Hollingsworth says she's taking a hard look at the department, and said, "I'll just say this much, yes, we're going to have change."
Pine Bluff Police Chief Brenda Davis Jones wasn't available for comment Thursday.
In addition to crime, Hollingsworth says her plans include community revitalization and reaching out to the city's three struggling school districts.
