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Mayor Woodfin and police chief cite 52% homicide drop in first half of 2025; issue Fourth of July safety reminders
Summary
Mayor Randall Woodfin and Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett reported a 52% reduction in homicides in the first half of 2025 and urged residents to avoid celebratory gunfire ahead of July 4; police also announced a recruitment push and upcoming academy screening dates.
Mayor Randall Woodfin told the City Council that City of Birmingham offices will be closed on July 4, with police, fire and 911 continuing to operate, and encouraged residents to celebrate safely.
“I do wanna encourage everyone not only to be safe, but remember that celebratory gunfire is not only dumb and stupid, it's dangerous,” Mayor Woodfin said, adding that children and seniors will be outside for the holiday and urging residents not to fire guns into the air.
Woodfin and Police Chief Michael Pickett reported declines in violent crime during the first half of 2025. Chief Pickett told the council, “Right now, we're reporting 52% reduction as of today. 52% reduction in our in our homicides.” He credited the decline to department work, assistance from Jefferson County and state and federal partners, community organizations and residents reporting tips and intervening to deescalate situations.
The chief also outlined recruitment efforts. He said the department is conducting a physical agility screening this Saturday for an academy class expected in early August (dates mentioned: August 8 or August 11), with the screening running 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Police Academy. “We're doing a big push,” Chief Pickett said, and thanked council members and residents for supporting recruitment and retention initiatives.
Mayor Woodfin and councilors also highlighted the local economic benefit of hosting the World Police and Fire Games, noting more than 8,000 visiting officers and firefighters and their families participating in events across the city. Woodfin cited museums, restaurants and tourist sites as benefitting from visitors attending the games.
Councilors praised the police department’s work and encouraged residents to support violence‑reduction programs and community practitioner trainings referenced by councilors. Woodfin and Pickett asked council members to promote safety messages on their platforms and to encourage residents to use 911 or local tip lines to report suspicious activity.
