Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch has vowed to make the City of Prichard a safer place after gang-related violence claimed innocent lives and made citizens feel unsafe.
The sheriff's office assumed responsibility for the city's major crime investigations in December 2024, following an increase in crime.
Now, the state has the authority to intervene if necessary.
The Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit was formed in 2024, and the legislature secured additional funding for the initiative this year.
When asked about crime concerns in Prichard, Gov. Kay Ivey's office told 1819 News that the unit stands ready to deploy when the need arises.
"As every state in the nation has grappled with increasing public safety challenges, Governor Ivey made addressing this issue her number one priority this past session," Ivey's communications director, Gina Maiola, stated. "Her effort through the Safe Alabama public safety legislative package brought good results, from providing necessary increased legal protections for law enforcement to cracking down on inner city crime. Our state law enforcement always stands ready to maintain public safety across Alabama with necessary and proper collaboration with local officials."
Burch said it would be up to Prichard officials to decide if they needed assistance.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) released data on the MACS unit earlier this month. The unit has served 952 arrest warrants, seized 256 firearms and recovered 65 stolen vehicles.
"This unit was created to meet a rising need for a focused, mobile team that could assist in taking violent offenders and illegal weapons off our streets," said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. "What the MACS Unit has achieved in a relatively short time is nothing short of extraordinary—and it would not have been possible without the steadfast support of Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Legislature."
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