Chris Lane, candidate for the new Homewood City Council, has received the endorsement of Hoover Police Chief & Mayor-elect Nick Derzis.

Chief Derzis, who has led the Hoover Police Department since 2005, praised Lane’s commitment to public safety, transparency, and accountable government.

“I’ve had the honor of serving as Hoover’s Police Chief for nearly 20 years. Public safety has been my life’s work, and I know firsthand that it takes strong, committed leaders to make it a true priority. In this race, Chris Lane is that candidate,” Derzis said.

“He understands the importance of supporting law enforcement with the resources they need and making sure families feel safe in their neighborhoods. And just as important, he will always respect the concerns of residents and never disregard them, especially when it comes to keeping our community safe.”

Derzis also noted his own reasons for seeking the mayor’s office in Hoover. “When I considered seeking the mayor’s office in Hoover, I did so because of my belief in transparency and accountability. I see that same dedication in Chris Lane. He will bring that same openness and responsibility to Homewood’s new City Council, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the people and never behind closed doors.”

Lane said he was honored by the endorsement and stressed the importance of collaboration across city lines.

“Keeping Homewood a safe place for families is a top priority, and that’s why I’m proud to have the endorsement of Chief Nick Derzis,” Lane said.

“Chief Derzis is one of the most respected law enforcement leaders in Alabama, and I’m grateful for his confidence in me. We both believe public safety must be backed by transparency and accountability. Just as important, we agree that leaders should hear from citizens, not dismiss them, especially when it comes to matters of safety.

Strong cities don’t exist in a vacuum. We’re part of a greater region, and many challenges cross city lines. That’s why I look forward to collaborating with leaders like Chief Derzis as he takes on his new role as Mayor, along with others across our neighboring communities, to share best practices, strengthen partnerships, and keep our families safe. Together, we can make Homewood and the entire region stronger.”

The endorsement comes as public safety and homelessness have become pressing concerns for Homewood families after a series of incidents. Last week, parents on Roseland Drive raised alarms after a homeless man was found bathing in a creek near schoolchildren walking home.

Instead of addressing their concerns, Lane’s opponent, John Manzelli, initially dismissed the incident as “political” on social media before later deleting his comments.

Lane said this is exactly the wrong approach.

“Homewood families deserve leaders who will take their concerns seriously, not dismiss them. We can address homelessness with compassion and conviction while also making sure our neighborhoods remain safe for children and families. I have a plan that can help our community find a way forward on this issue and it puts the safety of Homewood families first.”

As of September 16, Manzelli has yet to offer any plan for addressing the issue while Lane announced a 10 point plan that would go towards updating Homewood’s ordinances about vagrancy to match surrounding communities. The runoff election will be held on September 23.

Ward 3 voters will vote at the Homewood library. Registered voters can vote in the runoff even if they didn’t vote in the election on August 26th.