Arkansas City Faces Crime, Dread, and an Emergency Curfew

In the midst of the vast Arkansas farmland, the small town of Eudora had been grappling with escalating fears of violence.

The community had faced a series of troubling events, including shootings, home invasions, and reckless joyrides by unlicensed teenagers, which had overwhelmed the local police force.

The situation reached a critical point on Christmas Eve when a bullet shattered the window of Martene Frazell’s home as she was closing her curtains.

The 47-year-old, known for her steadfast involvement in her church, was found bloodied and dying on the floor, with her holiday meal still simmering on the stove.

This tragic incident underscored the town’s rising anxiety and frustration over crime, leading city officials to enforce an emergency curfew last week.

This measure restricts the town’s 1,700 residents from being outside their homes after 8 p.m., allowing exceptions only for work or medical reasons.

In a video posted on December 27, Mayor Tomeka Butler appealed for community support to end the violence, saying, “Please help us bring these senseless acts of crime to a stop. Should you be caught during curfew hours, you will be subject to being stopped and searched.”

The curfew has sparked complaints from residents who are concerned about their freedom of movement.

Local business owners, including those running a liquor store and a chicken wing spot—some of the few establishments open after 8 p.m.—are worried about the potential impact on their revenue.