State Rep. Reed Ingram’s (R-Pike Road) bill to allow the state to appoint police chiefs in crime-ridden cities recently got support from someone across the aisle when State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) told 1819 News she wanted to see change in Birmingham.
“Bottom line is we have mayors in certain cities who ran on being progressive,” Givan said earlier this week. “It just so happens though, that the mayors that ran on being progressive are in the two of the most major cities here in the state. And instead of people accepting criticism as constructive, they are offended.”
During a Thursday appearance on Huntsville WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show," State Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) was asked if support from a Democrat would add some legitimacy to Ingram's bill.
Givhan said he was "shocked" to see Givan's remarks but was unsure if other Democratic lawmakers would follow in line. He predicted there would be pushback from the Big 10 mayors in Alabama: Auburn, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa.
“I'm not sure how many Democrats are going to follow in line," Givhan told host Dale Jackson. "But, you know, we're, again, we're talking about two cities ... because it's all about Birmingham and Montgomery. I mean, I'm not even hearing about Bessemer."
"I just think you're going to see more pushback than you think about messing with police departments across the state," he continued. "I'm not saying that there's not a group out there. I'm saying it hadn't made it to me.”
Givhan added, “It's going to be interesting to see because I think the Big Ten, largely, cities are going to be sticking together on this.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
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