One woman hopes others will join her in “Taking Back Our Community.”

With the increased reports of violent crime in Troy, Circuit Clerk Jaime Scarbrough has organized a town hall meeting for Pike County.

“I think everybody is a little uneasy right now,” Scarbrough said. “I think everybody wants answers.”

Scarbrough called in law enforcement agencies, gun experts, self-defense instructors and legal experts to answer any questions community members have. They will also give safety tips on how people can protect themselves.

“Small things make a big difference,” Scarbrough said. “I’m hoping to learn how to protect myself better, too.”

Scarbrough said the Pike County Sheriff’s Department is issuing pistol permits at the average rate of 20 a day. But she hopes people who are newcomers to the gun world will come to the meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. to learn about Alabama’s Self-defense Law and what they can legally do when it comes to their safety.

Even though the recent two home invasions, armed robbery and two sexual assaults happened inside the city limits, Scarbrough said there will be people present to address security concerns from residents who live in the county.

As of Friday, the Troy Police Department, Troy University Police, Brundidge Police Department, Pike County Sheriff’s Department, Troy Cable Home Security, Firehouse Firearms, a women’s self-defense instructor and attorney Malcolm McSwean planned to be present at the “Taking Back Our Community” event to be held in the first-floor courtroom at the Pike County Courthouse.

“We have to figure out a solution together,” Scarbrough said, “because the situation isn’t getting any better.”