By Scott Buttram
TRUSSVILLE — Tandi Smith, originator and administrator of the What’s Happening in Trussville Facebook page, first noticed fake profiles on her page a couple weeks ago. She thought they were created to promote a business.
This past weekend, Smith found out why they were really created. To harass and intimidate her, seemingly over her administration of discussions regarding the proposed property tax vote in Trussville on Tuesday.
When the profiles showed up on Facebook, using her picture and attributing false comments to her, she took them seriously and notified the Trussville Police Department as well as offered a $250 reward to find the culprits.
“I’m really taking it personally,” Smith said. “I don’t understand why they chose me. I’ve had a lot of trouble with the ‘why me’ part.”
Smith said not knowing who the individual is has caused her some uneasiness.
“The anonymity of it all is what worries me,” Smith said. “I’m going to do everything within my power to find out who this is.”
Smith on Monday decided to take a step back from her Facebook page and turned the administrative duties over to a friend. She posted the news to followers on the page.
“The last few days have really taken a toll on me,” Smith said online. “When I created this group, I envisioned a place where people could go to find out when the Christmas parade would be, help find lost pets and find a good contractor. I never thought it would become a place where if I posted my opinion, it would lead to harassment and personal attacks.”
Facebook has since removed the profiles and a group page created by the person who set them up.
