POLITICIANS THINK LAWS DON’T APPLY TO THEM OR THEIR RELATIVES EITHER
DEMETRUS CONROOD ANOTHER DEI HIRE
BY SNN.BZ STAFF
Demetrus Coonrod, a former Chattanooga City Councilwoman for District 9, has been involved in notable incidents with police, primarily related to traffic stops.
Here are summaries of the key events based on available information for the 2024 and 2017 Traffic Stops:
- Date: June 24, 2017
- Details: Coonrod was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Anthony Gladden, which was pulled over by Chattanooga police for an expired registration. Gladden was cited for driving without a valid license, no registration, and no proof of insurance. Body camera footage showed Coonrod asking officers to contact then-Police Chief Fred Fletcher, citing her position as a councilwoman. She also inquired about the officer’s sergeant, suggesting she would reach out directly. After the citations were issued, Coonrod left the scene without driving, raising safety concerns from the officer.
- Aftermath: Coonrod later apologized publicly on July 18, 2017, acknowledging her behavior was inappropriate and thanking Officer Tiffanie Lentz for following protocol. She met with Lentz to mend relations, expressing regret for bypassing the chain of command. The incident drew criticism, with some viewing her actions as elitist, while she attributed her response to safety concerns and a misunderstanding of proper procedure.
2024 Incident Involving Her Brother, Ricky Coonrod
- Date: January 22, 2024
- Details: Ricky Jerome Coonrod, Demetrus Coonrod’s brother, was pulled over by Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies at a Kanku gas station on Brainerd Road. Deputies observed what they suspected was a narcotics transaction and noted a traffic violation (non-working license plate lights). Ricky provided his driver’s license but lacked registration and insurance. He refused multiple orders to exit the vehicle, leading deputies to break the driver’s side window, remove him, and use a stun gun after he continued resisting. A search yielded $1,372 in cash and suspected marijuana in individually sealed bags. Ricky was charged with resisting arrest, possession of drugs for resale, and a traffic violation.
- Aftermath: Ricky live-streamed the encounter on Facebook, prompting public debate. Demetrus Coonrod addressed the incident on Facebook, calling it “deeply troubling” and criticizing the use of force, particularly given racial dynamics. She questioned why deputies didn’t explain the need to exit the vehicle beyond the initial violation, though legal experts noted officers aren’t required to disclose full reasons during a stop. Ricky’s prior criminal history, including drug and resisting arrest charges, was noted in reports.
Context and Broader Implications
- Coonrod’s 2017 incident highlighted tensions between her public role and police interactions, leading to her advocacy for dialogue on police use of force in 2018. The 2024 event with her brother reignited these concerns, with Coonrod framing it as part of broader issues of police conduct toward Black and marginalized communities. Her tenure, ending April 8, 2025, was marked by such controversies, including an FBI investigation into her nonprofit’s Tech Goes Home program, though no charges resulted.
- Conrood’s brother was arrested with weed packaged for resale.
