Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announces advisory commission in attempt to reduce homicides

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced an advisory commission in an attempt to reduce homicides in the city.

Former Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper will help guide the commission’s work. The advisory commission will be made up of business, community and criminal justice leaders and will be co-chaired by vice president of Alabama Power’s Birmingham Division Ralph Williams Jr. and Lee Styslinger III, co-chairman of Altec Inc.

The commission’s focus is to assemble information quickly on strategies and programs that have helped other cities reduce crime, especially homicides. The goal is to have an initial report to the city in under 60 days.

“While we are working diligently with law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal level, the violence afflicting our city is ultimately an issue that we must address together as a community,” Woodfin said in a statement. “This group brings together a variety of perspectives — from law enforcement to our churches, companies, and nonprofits — all focused on what we can do in the short-term and over the long-term to address the gun violence that has resulted in far too many broken hearts and lost lives.”

Other members of the commission include:

• Tracey Morant Adams, senior executive vice president at Renasant Bank
• Leroy Abrahams, executive vice president at Regions Bank
• Carnelle Howell, senior managing director at Howell Consulting
• Jamey McMahon, chair of Ligon Industries
• Bo Walters, president of Dunn Construction
• Chris Anderson, chief of police at Talladega College
• Emory Anthony, attorney
• Patrick Davis, special agent in charge at U.S. Secret Service — Birmingham Field Office
• Monique Grier, director of Jefferson County Youth Detention Center
• Frank Barefield, chair of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama
• Thomas Beavers, pastor at New Rising Star Church
• Dr. Jeff Kerby, director of UAB’s Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
• Chris Nanni, CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
• Arnee Odoms, communications manager at Birmingham Promise

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