Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Montgomery Police Department (MPD) interim Police Chief James Graboys recently addressed the past week's uptick in violent crime at a Monday press conference.
Although the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has recently reported success with the multi-agency task force designed to crack down on violent crime in the capital city, Montgomery leaders still felt the need to address a rash of violent crimes that hit Montgomery this past week.
The newly formed Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS), which was formed to address Montgomery's escalating crime, recently boasted massive success in executing a federal search warrant that saw the seizure of over 75 automatic machine gun conversion devices, commonly called Glock Switches, from the city's streets along with manufacturing tools.
Since its inception in June, the MACS unit claims to have executed over 440 arrest warrants, 34 drug seizures, over 30 recovered stolen vehicles and hundreds of traffic citations.
Although Reed and Grayboys briefly touched on the MACS unit, they both mainly focused on the recent shootings this week, which resulted in three homicides.
Reed claimed that homicides and robberies in the city were on a downward trend. Still, he emphasized community and business involvement to continue to quell crime in the city.
Graboys took the podium to give updates on the multiple shootings and homicides that rocked the city last week.
"One thing I wanted to make perfectly clear in relation to this, we are working literally night and day, 24/7 to solve these cases, and I'm confident that we are going to be solving them based on the information that has been passed on to me," Graboys said. "That being said, in regards to this, in regards to our ideas for the future, and in relation to these cases, we are reaching out to some of our federal partners to have them assist us in our efforts because one of the things that we have noticed, of course, when we are dealing with these offenses is the presence of firearms and switches in relation to these types of offenses."
"So, my message to the people engaging in these firearms crimes is we are going to get you. We are going to be coming for you. Stop what you're doing because all you do is break people's hearts, and you harm them and their lives," he added.
In a seeming attempt to assuage fears, Graboys emphasized that the vast majority of homicides involve people known to one another and who are engaged in a disagreement.
"One of the things that we have noticed about these cases is that they are dealing with people who know each other, dealing with people who are having situations, maybe you could call it beefs or arguments, with each other," Graboys continued. "These are not random."
Graboys also praised the joint work of the MACS Unit, driving home that those found with Glock switches will face federal firearms charges.
"We are going after those switches," he said. "And when people are arrested with switches, they're not just looking at any possible local charges; they're looking at federal charges. They need to understand how seriously we're taking it. Those switches are dangerous. Those switches harm people. They cause indiscriminate injuries to people. Anybody using those types of weapons are a danger to themselves and others."
Reed retook the podium to respond to questions regarding ongoing speculation, including from some state lawmakers, that the city has failed to report crime numbers accurately. Reed seemed to take particular exception to that assertion since he claimed at the press conference that homicide and robbery rates were trending down and a 67% clearance rate on the city's murders.
"Look, it's nonsensical to chase every story, rumor that someone wants to put out because they've got a political agenda," Reed said. "There's no way that this law enforcement agency could remain accredited, that we would be not in violation of ethical and legal statutes if we were not reporting the numbers."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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