Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall offers help with law enforcement

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WHNT ) — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said there are no plans for a state takeover of the Birmingham Police Department, but he is offering help.

“Let’s make it clear,” Marshall said. “We’re not seeing mass shootings in every city across Alabama. We’ve seen it in isolated spaces. We’ve seen it in certain communities. But it is not the widespread problem across the state. Doesn’t mean it’s not serious because it is.”

In and out of those certain communities, Marshall said more law enforcement is needed. The attorney general believes the new Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit has met this need in Montgomery. He said it can also work in Birmingham.

“We’ve taken guns away from the bad guys,” Marshall said. “We’ve put them behind bars, and Montgomery is safer right now because of that, and we have the ability to do that in other communities as well.”

Marshall spoke to Birmingham-area law enforcement officials during a special meeting Tuesday. He emphasized the success of the Montgomery plan.

“With the collective efforts of both the state, local sheriff, as well as the local police department, when we are able to surge individuals from law enforcement into areas that need presence, we’ve seen a precipitous drop,” Marshall said. “Not only in violent crimes but other crimes as well.”

Marshall said there are no discussions of a state takeover. He said retention and recruitment are key.

“Encourage individuals to be able to serve and have experience and train law enforcement in our communities in numbers that work,” Marshall said. “Cause here’s the reality: In many cases, criminals are just like children. They need boundaries. When we don’t have the presence of law enforcement in our communities, that’s when bad things can happen.”

Marshall also said there is not another meeting scheduled, but discussions are taking place daily with law enforcement statewide.

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