A petition to change the name of a Southwest Decatur street to remember the late Steve Perkins, a man shot and killed Sept. 29, 2023, by a Decatur Police officer, is just one resident’s signature short before it can be considered by the City Council.

A group of friends and family want the street, Ryan Drive, where Perkins died in his front yard, renamed by the city. The request comes after 19 months of protests over the city’s handling of the Perkins case. The trial of former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette, who was indicted for murder, is scheduled for June 9.

Ryan Drive resident and applicant Sharonda Acklin presented a petition with 30 signatures to the Planning Commission on Tuesday.

However, Chairman Kent Lawrence informed the group during a public hearing on the change that it’s one signature short of the 75% of the 41 homeowners on Ryan Drive required by the city for a name change to a city street.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the name change, but Lawrence said the group needs one additional signature when the Decatur City Council considers the proposal.

“Basically, our responsibility is to verify the paperwork and to hold this hearing,” Lawrence said. “The policy requires 75%; it doesn’t require us to vote on it. It is something that you would have to get before it moves to council. That’s only one or two more votes, and you didn’t go to every home.”

Acklin told the Planning Commission that “there was some miscommunication” about whose signatures were necessary.

“We only went to 30 of the 41 properties due to many of those being rental homes that we didn’t think we needed to go to,” Acklin said.

Acklin said they didn’t realize they needed to talk to the owners of the rental homes instead of the renters, so there were 11 properties not on their list to visit.

“We’ll be reaching out to those homeowners as well as three who did not answer the door,” she said.

Acklin said she “feels compelled to bring constant awareness to a life that was taken down the street from me. On that night a community was shattered, and a life was taken … .”

She said they wanted to preserve Perkins’ legacy.

“Renaming of the street after Steve should be seen as a remembrance of something that never should have happened,” Acklin said.

She said Perkins was a Hillsboro native and a great family man.

“He was friendly and a great neighbor who looked out for his neighbors, who offered a helping hand out of respect and kindness,” Acklin said.

As examples of Perkins’ willingness to help people, she said he was always giving people rides to work. He also took a neighbor to the emergency room.

“She called Steve for help because she was home by herself and she trusted him,” Acklin said.

Sarah French assisted Acklin in the petition drive. Both women said they only had one person refuse to sign the petition.

“As a matter of fact, some of them were brought to tears at the fact that the city would do this,” French said.

Ryan Drive resident Sierra Taylor said she thinks “it would be a true honor to have our street renamed” after Perkins.

“I think it would be a great memory for his children to be able to say, ‘Our home is on Steve Perkins Drive where my father was taken from me,’ ” Sierra Taylor said.

Aneesah Saafiyah-Lige, co-founder of Standing In Power, said she thinks it’s important to the community that it honors Perkins.

“I know for a few people it may be uncomfortable; I know it may make you a little wary, but, despite the small minority, the majority of the city loves him,” Saafiyah-Lige said.

She said people of multiple races, Black, white and Hispanic, have been in support of their cause during the last 19 months.

“A street name won’t bring Steve back, but it’s a step toward truth, recognition and accountability,” Saafiyah-Lige said.

Two Ryan Drive homeowners told the Planning Commission that they are against renaming their street.

Ryan Drive resident Rico Elliott said he understands why people want the name change, but he’s against it.

“Obviously, emotions are high, but I don’t live on Perkins Drive; I live on Ryan Drive,” Elliott said.

Ryan Drive resident Brenda Taylor, whose daughter is Perkins’ niece, said her opposition has nothing to do with Perkins and not wanting to honor his memory.

“It’s painful,” Brenda Taylor said. “We don’t even go down that road anymore. I understand Ryan Drive is associated with (Perkins’ death) as well because anytime I say where I live, someone says, ‘Oh, that’s where Steve got shot.’”

After the meeting, Acklin said starting the process of renaming Ryan Drive “was a major step that we’re really proud of,” and she doesn’t think they’ll have a problem getting that one missing signature.

Acklin said someone just suggested the proposed name change about eight or nine months ago, and it was a popular suggestion. She said a team of Ryan Drive residents and “Justice for Steve” movement members do the canvassing, and some of those conversations were emotional.

“It sounds as if it’s a great idea for the people who live on Ryan Drive,” Acklin said. “Going out canvassing the neighborhood, speaking about Steve, his life, his legacy, there was great approval.”

She said she believes a name change would be a move of good faith by the city “because contrary to what has been stated, Steve was a great man. To know the board agrees with this definitely warms my heart.”

Acklin admitted renaming the street after Perkins “will be emotional because it will be a constant reminder.”

She said she is confident now as they move to the City Council for approval. She said she “doesn’t expect any pushback whatsoever.”

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