Scott Broden

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

MURFREESBORO — State Rep. Bryan Terry shared his concerns about the recent arrests of children at Hobgood Elementary School after an off-campus bullying altercation.

"I believe that the community, and beyond, see this matter as a breach of trust," the Republican lawmaker from Murfreesboro said in a recent email to respond to a question from The Daily News Journal.

Terry said he spoke about what happened with new Murfreesboro Police Chief Karl Durr and the Rev. James McCarroll, pastor at a First Baptist Church on East Castle Street. A community meeting took place at the church to allow parents to express their grievances to Durr, City Manager Rob Lyons and other Murfreesboro officials about the arrests.

Parents: Hobgood Elementary students handcuffed, detained

"The best way to rebuild or repair that trust is to take the necessary steps oneself," Terry said.

"I expressed my concerns to Rev. McCarroll and Chief Durr, and offered any assistance that they need from me."

Terry also said he spoke with a judge, attorney and a police officer to gather insight into these kind of situations.

"Chief Durr and the MPD have an opportunity, as unfortunate as it is, to take positive actions without outside interference," Terry said. "Presenting the facts and being transparent would go a long way to healing the community. I believe they are taking steps to do just that."

Murfreesboro police chief 'saddened' and 'sorry' about child arrests

Terry said he also spoke with fellow Republican state Rep. Mike Sparks of Smyrna about proposed legislation from Sparks to require parents, guardians or legal counsel to be present when police interrogate children.

"If in fact this situation requires any changes in statute, it would probably be beneficial to have all local legislators co-sponsor the legislation and have letters of support from Chief Durr, Mayor (Shane) McFarland, community leaders and the families involved," Terry said. "We value our public servants, community harmony, and most importantly, our children. If handled correctly, it may give the community a focal point to come together as one and move forward."

Sparks agreed.

"Rep. Bryan Terry and I will be reaching out to local law enforcement to see what can be done in the future to help safeguard these children's rights," Sparks said. "I would think all would agree the situation could have been handled much better."

Father has '100 percent confidence' arrested kids are innocent

Sparks faces competition from others seeking to represent his 49th District seat: Republican Aaron Holladay and Democrat Brandon Thomas.

Thomas also sent out a statement Sunday to respond to what happened at Hobgood.

"As a young Black man running for public office, it saddens me to hear that police officers got the green light to arrest young children," Thomas said. "However, I’m not surprised. I am surprised by Senator (Bill) Ketron’s comments stating that the Black Caucus was simply 'grandstanding' about the issue."

Most people are not colorblind on this issue, Thomas said.

"The Black Caucus is not grandstanding," Thomas said. "They are pointing out the everyday experience of students of color. They are pointing out the fact that we live in a society that profits off incarceration and not rehabilitation. They are pointing out that the arrest of the Hobgood Elementary School children is a systemic problem created by mass incarceration, the CCA (Corrections Corporation of America), and a school to prison pipeline that is pervasive in communities of color."

Ketron: Black Caucus grandstands on Hobgood

Thomas also raised concerns about national school discipline data that shows that black children being punished at a higher rate than white children.

"We as Tennesseans not only need to be vigilant about the Hobgood case, but we also need to examine how students of color are being disciplined across the state," Thomas said. "We need to create an accountability system that treats all students equally and disciplines them fairly."

Contact Scott Broden at 6151-278-5158. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden.