Mayor of Birmingham responds to the call of governor Ivy to combat “internal violence of weapons” – al.com

In his state of state speech this week, Alabama Governor Kay Ivy promised “a repression of violence in the city.”

Birmingham finished 2024 with 151 murders, the largest number of killings in the city ever broke the record of 148, set in 1933.

Speaking to the State Capitol to launch a legislative session, which began on Tuesday, Ivy called the number one public safety priority.

“Strengthening public safety is my number one priority at this session and I am proud to partner with a Ledbetter speaker and a bilateral group of legislators in presenting a package of bill S

“In order to support blue, we will provide the law enforcement authorities with enhanced legal protection, which allows them to fulfill their obligations boldly and effectively – without fear of Monday morning to give up the courts.”

It does not describe what it will mean “enhanced legal protection” to the police.

“We will support the long -time families of order through dependent scholarships,” Ivy said. “Everyone, our men and women in blue put everything on line. They need to know: Alabama has a back. “

Then she hit a line that sounds Birmingham’s legislative priorities.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has called on Alabama legislators to ban weapons conversion devices such as Glock Switches, especially after a mass shooting on September 21 at the Hush Enterment area of ​​South Entertainment, which killed four and left 17 injured. In December, Birmingham approved a list of legislative priorities for 2025, with a ban on Glock Switch at the beginning of the list of legislative desires.

“We will descend violence in the inland city by improving penalties for dangerous criminals with weapons,” Ivy said in his address. “We will expand the Aniah law, increase our successful crime suppression department in the metro area, Ban Glock Switches and improve the supervision of high -risk minors. Working together, we will create a more fucking alabama. “

Asked for responding to Ivy called for repression of weapons violence in cities, Birmingham Mayor Randal Udfin focused on known topics.

“Birmingham has long been in support of a state ban on conversion devices, such as Glock Switches, which are a major contribution to violent crimes in our communities,” he said. “We encourage state legislators to join us as a single front to reduce weapons violence. This includes support for the ban on Glock Switch, prohibits criminals from illegal possession of fire weapons, improving laws related to firing in occupied housing and vehicles, and support of our police through sovereign immunity that is currently providing for civil law enforcement officers. “

He also repeated the latest initiatives to expand the recruitment of police officers.

“We are engaged with our police officers through recently approved bonuses for dialing and holding, creating a home vehicle program, more technologies and additional tools for protecting and servicing our city,” Woodfin said. “We are grateful for each of our police officers, recruits and our prolonged cooperation with the Pettway sheriff, the state and federal partners.”

Ivy called for the expansion of efforts to fight crime in Montgomery, called a crime suppression department in the subway area. MACS was composed of law enforcement officers, Alabama General Prosecutor’s Office, Montgomery Police Department, Montgomery Sheriff’s Sheriff and Alcohol Bureau, Tobacco, Fire Weapons and Explosives.

Woodfin did not turn to this specifically, in addition to referring to cooperation with Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Petway.

Alabama Hal Taylor’s law enforcement agency secretary, speaking to reporters after the governor’s speech, said he was talking to Woodfin about the possibility of a MACS department in Jefferson. Taylor said he could extract from the many municipal police departments in the county.

In October, Birmingham approved Woodfin’s $ 15.8 million plan to raise and detention for police officers.

Woodfin had offered the plan on October 1 after the mass shooting on September 21 at Hush Lounge at five points south, which left four killed and 17 wounded. Birmingham Police President Deangelo Hall said he had supported the plan.

The plan calls for an increase in the signing bonus of new employees to $ 10,000 and establishing a quarterly $ 2500 detention bonus for employees who have been in the department for two or more years.

The recruitment and detention plan gives priority to patrol officers to strengthen police coverage in Birmingham neighborhoods.

The plan includes financing more patrol cars to provide a home patrol program.

The Birmingham Crime Commission, launched a few months ago to cope with the crisis of killings in the city-special killings associated with weapons-completed an initial report that requires a multilateral crime strategy focused on both immediate and immediate And long -term solutions. The report was published on January 6th.

“The current Birmingham trajectory is untenable,” the commission wrote.

“But with bold leadership, innovative strategies and collective commitments, the city can transform the future and realize the vision of becoming the most secure city in America.”