MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Crime remains a major focus in Montgomery as some state lawmakers push legislation that could allow a state takeover of the Montgomery Police Department, if staffing levels do not increase.
At Mayor Steven Reed’s monthly briefing, he did not address Senate Bill 298, the proposal that would allow the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, ALEA, to assume control of the police department if the city misses new staffing benchmarks. He did, however, highlight crime trends, technology upgrades, pending legislation he supports, and the city’s financial role in supporting Jackson Hospital.
Reed says crime and homicides down, arrests up
Reed said the city is seeing real measurable progress in reducing crime.
He cited year over year declines that include violent crime down 13 percent, nonviolent crime down 23 percent, and homicides down 39 percent, with overall crime down 22 percent year to date…