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Mayor cites falling crime rates, 600-plus illegal firearms seized and urges tougher bail for repeat offenders
Summary
The mayor reported year-over-year drops in crime and more than 600 illegal firearms seized, credited partnerships for progress and called for state-level changes to bail and bond laws to keep repeat offenders off the streets.
The mayor of Montgomery said overall crime is down nearly 16% year over year and credited police, investigators, community partners and faith leaders with improvements while urging further action on accountability and judicial policy.
Speaking at a press conference, the mayor gave detailed year-over-year figures: “overall crime is down, almost 16%. Violent crime is down nearly 25%. Non violent crime is down nearly 14%.” He added that homicides are down “about 7 and a half percent” and nonfatal shootings are down “around 27%.”
The mayor also said law enforcement has seized more than 600 illegal firearms, including 12 “Glock switches,” and thanked the Alabama Legislature and Gov. Kay Ivey for a new state law that made possession of those devices a state crime with harsher penalties. “I wanna thank state representative Phil Lindsler. I wanna thank state senator Will Barfoot,” he said, and also thanked the Alabama Big 10 Mayors Association and the Alabama League of Municipalities for supporting the effort.
On accountability and courts, the mayor urged discussions with the judicial branch and the legislative delegation about bail and bond laws for repeat violent offenders. “We have to make sure that people who are repeat offenders... are not allowed to get back out just by putting up a small percentage of the bail,” he said, adding he plans to initiate conversations with the judiciary and lawmakers.
911 operations and dispatch: The mayor said the city has brought in third-party call takers, is increasing pay and improving work conditions for 911 staff, and is investing in technology and AI to divert nonemergency calls to 311. He emphasized the need for call-takers with the right temperament and said the city is “monitoring that whole time” to reduce dropped calls.
Ending: The mayor framed the improvements as ongoing, credited multiple partner agencies and promised further work with state lawmakers and the judiciary to close legal loopholes that he said let repeat offenders return to the street too soon.
