On Monday, the City of Birmingham released the "Birmingham Crime Commission Report," which takes a comprehensive look at the city's rising violent crime and homicide rates. The report paints a grim picture of current circumstances by piecing together details about the rise in crime and the lack of infrastructure and funds to address them adequately.
Key points of the report included:
Birmingham has experienced a sustained increase in violent crime, particularly homicides, over the past five years. The homicide rate in the city is seven times higher than the national average, with the most violent crimes concentrated in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Between 2019 and 2023, Birmingham consistently ranked among the most dangerous cities, per capita, in the U.S. for violent crime."
Birmingham homicides in 2024 have surpassed 2023 and tragically broke the city's 91-year-old homicide record. These homicides are concentrated in neighborhoods experiencing poverty and other quality-of-life issues.
Birmingham's violence reduction efforts face significant challenges due to uncoordinated, siloed initiatives, insufficient resources, and the absence of a comprehensive plan. Numerous organizations operate independently, leading to inefficiencies, duplication of efforts, and missed opportunities for collaboration. Both public and private sectors lack sufficient investment, leaving law enforcement, community groups, and non-profits underfunded and overstretched. Additionally, without a unified strategy, the city struggles to align stakeholders, utilize data effectively, and set measurable goals, resulting in reactive rather than proactive approaches to combating homicides.
As of 2024, the department operates at only 73% strength for sworn officers, with 617 positions filled and 233 vacancies. Civilian staffing fares slightly better at 80%, but vacancies still hinder operational efficiency.
The report includes several "State Policy Considerations" among detailed and well-researched policy plans that include short and long-term goals and programs.
Many pages discuss how understaffed and poorly equipped the Birmingham Police Department is, noting, "As of 2024, the department operates at only 73% strength for sworn officers, with 617 positions filled and 233 vacancies. Civilian staffing fares slightly better at 80%, but vacancies still hinder operational efficiency."
The report's first policy recommendation is to limit the lawful exercise of the Second Amendment for Jefferson County.
"Implement tougher gun laws for Jefferson County only (e.g., restrict carrying a concealed weapon without a license and prevent brandishing of weapons in public).
The second recommendation is to ban something already illegal: "Implement state laws that ban possession of firearm conversion devices."
The report states that "several bills have been identified for support by the City for the upcoming legislative session."
Conversion Device Prohibition: Adopt federal conversion device (commonly known as Glock Switch) prohibition as state law. The bill would prohibit individuals from possessing any part of combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into a machine gun.
Unlawful to Shoot into Occupied Dwellings and/or Vehicles: Makes it a Class A felony to discharge a firearm, explosives, or other weapon that discharges a dangerous projectile into an occupied dwelling, building, automobile, truck, watercraft, etc.
State Sovereign Immunity Equivalent for Municipal Law Enforcement and Fire Personnel: This would allow for municipal fire and law enforcement personnel to have the same sort of absolute sovereign immunity that similarly situated state law enforcement personnel currently enjoy.
After 52 pages of concerning data, survey findings and recommendations that could take years to fix, the report ends on a high note, "Together, we will 'make Birmingham the safest city in America!"
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at aprylmarie.fogel@1819news.com or on X and Facebook at @aprylmarie.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
