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.