[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6177546,"mediaKeyId","5335717-d6380efa889fcb09044d8134d19594bd","parentId",5335717,"title","Montgomery Ford initiative opens community centers, Firehouse 10 and downtown ambassadors, mayor says","audioSeconds",89,"startMs",516000,"endMs",605000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5335717-d6380efa889fcb09044d8134d19594bd&start=516&end=605","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5335717-d6380efa889fcb09044d8134d19594bd/thumbnail_516000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6177546/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Montgomery-Ford-initiative-opens-community-centers-Firehouse-10-and-downtown-ambassadors-mayor-says","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177546-b8bfe05124a44b922a7f0741e934e1b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175253&Signature=ed0ZV8lQQKsvJVeswYtzvoBHC~BTkoOYgJ3C7VIkkPaobDDKUKjAcF78CO3Adk9QYolbi8aEhEXR2N6X2jX-~PWF9R3Uzi4hMH-gCPHZ5diQaIxVP56Ppdbqpkl44PI8bfo0mqH-r~pmmrDNrE~Xhq2w4frABXa2PQ45RQnazurXjIqlkZsSsREo8ZbiP1n4cQDFDZT9i8Zujuogl1Blf0Rj1ILrLGWEC6IMvcmMz1BfpBknhIeR11b2ybNk0KuACqQD1yl2SQ0DG7QbNVOgh5MAFgp1uDr1O2TmhVgv5u~~1id~J5O5EHT01OenhmvtcCnXo9YvQPgBnYSxtGXqqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery City, AL","date","2025-07-08T05:21:52Z","article","The mayor of Montgomery said Wednesday that the city has used the $50 million Montgomery Ford initiative to reopen and open community centers across the city, expand downtown services and modernize emergency response.

Why it matters: Community centers and emergency services affect neighborhood vitality, youth programming and emergency response capacity citywide.

The address named Sheridan Heights, Chisholm and the Crump Community Center as sites now serving residents, and said the Courtney Pruitt Community Center on Calmar Drive will open later this year. The mayor said the centers “serve tens of thousands of residents each year” and are being equipped for broader community use.

The administration also opened Firehouse 10 in West Montgomery and installed Montgomery’s first safe-haven baby box, which the mayor described as providing “parents in a crisis safe and anonymous protection and an option.” The city has launched a block-by-block ambassador program downtown to keep streets clean, assist visitors and create a “more welcoming city center.”

The mayor said the city is in the final stages of a comprehensive rewrite of city zoning and ordinances — the first such revision in “well over 60 years” and the product of more than two years of work aimed at guiding smarter growth and attracting development.

He said the city has begun forming a committee to evaluate candidates for fire chief following Chief Jordan’s retirement and that both internal and external candidates are being considered. No appointment was announced.

The mayor framed these investments as part of a broader economic-development effort funded by the Montgomery Ford initiative and tied to service expansion and neighborhood improvement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mayor Reed Media Briefing (JULY 7, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The mayor highlighted community investments funded through the Montgomery Ford initiative — new and reopened community centers, Firehouse 10 with a baby box, and a downtown \"block by block\" ambassador program — and said the city is finalizing a comprehensive zoning rewrite.","taxTitle","Montgomery City, Montgomery County, Alabama","taxId",3930,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":46,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6177551,"Mayor says violent crime down 28.3% as city expands cameras, drones and recruitment efforts",192,797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5335717-d6380efa889fcb09044d8134d19594bd&start=605&end=797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5335717-d6380efa889fcb09044d8134d19594bd/thumbnail_605000.jpg","/articles/6177551/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Mayor-says-violent-crime-down-283-as-city-expands-cameras-drones-and-recruitment-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177551-2b1a827bd0a2fca134a42f3a0afbe92d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175253&Signature=ACwvk~BiGQcjYVUgJZzGLfd9GyqVARqd8Na-iKjegcvngmf8EagpFw-p6Mu2Vmhn~vcOrsKHLUmUHwqI2LaE~vkgk9VwbqbOujMuI7jXgjUokTH0-NxndD64FQ0fWN5tc67gMVp2mpJRU2xTobHYJMavOeLO9gI0ItkySP8KSLgcAy6asGyYBb2LCKWw5vxPsmWM6NpqDJFqc7SAeFx691T3emp2-az3FUgpKrBkRyT0ejF~Ijd47MqDOHTuwBacUpKpehppovAU~jlW90Q3wN5otXXDzwwYHrc3~OhCOfbVrps3M7UJD9RQiCAwgbzx9prGVg5ZvyCPvJBvef62Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The mayor of Montgomery said Wednesday that violent crime is down 28.3% year over year and nonviolent crime is down 13.3%, and outlined expanded law-enforcement measures including more patrols, cameras, drones and recruitment drives.

Why it matters: Crime statistics and proposed changes to local oversight of bail bonds could affect public safety, court processing and residents’ sense of security across Montgomery.

The mayor offered the figures in a midyear summary and credited “strategy, teamwork, and steady leadership” and increased patrols and staffing changes that concentrated resources in high-need areas. “Violent crime is down. I repeat, violent crime is down 28.3% year over year,” the mayor said.

He said homicides are down 12.5% year over year and nonfatal shootings are down 22.5%. He called a 41% reduction in robberies “significant” and said the department has an almost 60% closure rate on certain cases.

To bolster enforcement, the mayor said the city has begun deploying drones and will expand unmanned speed cameras and additional cameras downtown; he also referenced technology that includes facial recognition and the “star watch system.” He said the city already received its first drones and deployed them over a recent holiday weekend.

On criminal-justice process issues, the mayor urged a review of bail-bonds practices, saying repeat violent offenders are too often released and returned to the streets. “We have to look at how we regulate bail bondsmen and what they do and how they operate,” he said, and called for cooperation from prosecutors, judges and state lawmakers.

The mayor also noted personnel efforts: nine new officers graduated from the most recent police academy class, and the administration is using updated recruitment tactics, including geofencing and broader outreach to attract both cadets and experienced lateral hires.

He said the city is coordinating with county, state and federal partners, and working with faith and grassroots leaders and the Office of Violence Prevention on prevention and community engagement.

The mayor framed the measures as part of a broader push to reduce repeat violent crime and to ensure accountability across branches of government, while inviting feedback and cooperation from the legal community and state policymakers.

No formal policy changes or ordinances were announced during the address.","In a midyear address the mayor credited a drop in violent and nonviolent crime to increased patrols, technology and partnerships, and urged changes to bail-bonds practices; the address also noted new police academy graduates and recruitment measures.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6177555,"Mayor: Montgomery crews have fixed 2,828 potholes, resurfaced 5.2 miles and collected nearly 20 tons of litter",1298,293000,1591000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5335717-d6380efa889fcb09044d8134d19594bd&start=293&end=1591","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5335717-d6380efa889fcb09044d8134d19594bd/thumbnail_293000.jpg","/articles/6177555/Montgomery-City/Montgomery-County/Alabama/Mayor-Montgomery-crews-have-fixed-2828-potholes-resurfaced-52-miles-and-collected-nearly-20-tons-of-litter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177555-8b82f660e16a20abb1ca37cbf2b992b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175253&Signature=Ox7SAvAmSw-ZmKviSKd-c8NKP5OGm3XpZGitmtRw2A-tfVEwFOQAAhOWK94cZhJFg0ZOpNFnqBsOha7K0Rkf5Ob3aoMuqER11Fz3qZdA0PJFC2lDu5AmXIrwaXdADkewE3A~GbG5sFByj3iwnYYjJRt3pibs9UZ7JMgauGuZRKnu~SffwdiCENz3bsqGT-oeXwLVs6I3Tq4CSMuddPvK67Bd1ok7ZieQ4Jah~JdUFPtUYmAJi6Aipxt4qeIKQrsqH5ebpNgmWJdK9632tjEE~ywDQh8SO0do0Nt1ezrVnNeZvMiapiePkiYb7b4TFYqaKCuM3aLHxrUoZ~4SR9vYpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The mayor of Montgomery reported Wednesday that city public-works and sanitation crews have repaired 2,828 potholes so far this year and resurfaced 5.2 miles of roadways, part of a broader push to maintain streets, sidewalks and public rights of way.

Why it matters: Those repairs and maintenance efforts affect everyday safety and mobility for residents across the city and are part of the administration’s stated goal to “grow smarter” and improve livability.

The mayor told residents crews have fixed 3,490 feet of sidewalk and that the city’s mosquito-spraying program has covered “nearly 150 square miles” since launching in April. He added that sanitation teams have collected “almost 20 tons of roadside litter,” an amount he noted equals about 40,000 pounds.

The administration is also inviting private landscaping firms to bid on contracts to clear neglected and overgrown properties. Details, the mayor said, are available at montgomeryal.gov.

On staffing and compensation, the mayor said the city led an initiative to increase sanitation wages “for the first time in well over 15 years,” calling the increase a lump sum raise of “about 19%.” He said the city has supplied moisture-wicking uniforms and emphasized heat-safety measures for outdoor crews.

The mayor asked for resident patience during extreme summer weather and holiday schedules, saying crews sometimes fall behind on grass cutting and curbside pickups. He also credited civic organizations, churches and neighborhood groups for helping identify cleanup needs.

Asked about equipment, the mayor said the city works to repair malfunctioning trucks quickly and, when necessary, send them off-site for fixes.

The mayor closed the infrastructure portion of the address by urging continued community support and awareness of the city’s daily maintenance work.

Looking ahead, the administration said it is finalizing a comprehensive rewrite of the city’s zoning and ordinances after more than two years of work; that rewrite was discussed separately in the address.","In a midyear address, the mayor summarized city public-works accomplishments for 2025, including pothole repairs, road resurfacing, sidewalk fixes, mosquito spraying and increased sanitation pay; he also opened contracting opportunities for landscaping firms.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Montgomery Ford initiative opens community centers, Firehouse 10 and downtown ambassadors, mayor says

Mayor says violent crime down 28.3% as city expands cameras, drones and recruitment efforts

Mayor: Montgomery crews have fixed 2,828 potholes, resurfaced 5.2 miles and collected nearly 20 tons of litter