Birmingham Enhances Police Presence in Entertainment Districts Following Tragic Mass Shooting

Birmingham Increases Police Presence in Entertainment Districts Following Recent Violence

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin addressed the media on September 24, 2024, announcing an increased police presence throughout the city’s entertainment districts in response to a tragic mass shooting that occurred a few days earlier. The incident, which took place on September 21 in the Five Points South area, resulted in the deaths of four individuals and numerous injuries. Mayor Woodfin stated that the boost in police patrols would be active by the upcoming weekend, reinforcing safety measures citywide, rather than just in the vicinity of Five Points South.

Entertainment Districts Defined

Birmingham boasts four officially designated Entertainment Districts where residents and visitors can stroll with outdoor alcoholic beverages. These include:

• Uptown Entertainment District – This area encompasses Protective Stadium, the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), and City Walk.
• Pepper Place Entertainment District – Located around Lakeview and the 29th Street South corridor.
• Avondale Entertainment District – Found along 41st Street South near Avondale Park.
• Five Points South Entertainment District – Centered on the Five Points Circle where the recent shooting occurred at the Hush Lounge.

Addressing Officer Shortages

During his report to the City Council, Mayor Woodfin acknowledged ongoing criticisms regarding a shortage of officers within the Birmingham Police Department. He noted, “We acknowledge we need more police officers. That’s not something we run from.” In efforts to address this issue, the city has already raised the starting salary for officers to $51,000 annually, alongside a $5,000 signing bonus, aimed at enhancing recruitment efforts.

Despite the city’s financial capacity to employ more than 1,000 police personnel—with about 720 sworn officers currently available—recruitment remains a significant hurdle. Mayor Woodfin explained that filling these positions is a common challenge faced by large urban police departments across the country. The exact number of sworn officers currently on the force was not disclosed by the city.

Recruitment Efforts Intensify

State Representative Juandalynn Givan voiced concerns on Monday, estimating that the city may be lacking up to 400 officers, suggesting that Birmingham should ideally have around 800 officers. In the wake of a catastrophic event like the mass shooting, Givan raised the idea of soliciting help from the National Guard, a proposal that Mayor Woodfin dismissed as “whack.” Givan referenced historical precedence, recalling how the National Guard was called upon after the devastating tornadoes in 2011 to help maintain order.

The mayor did highlight some positive developments in recruitment, noting that the Birmingham Police Academy recently celebrated the graduation of its largest class in several years, with 28 new officers completing the program. This brings the total to 38 graduates for 2024 after including an earlier class of 10 officers. Comparatively, the city graduated 24 officers each in 2022 and 2023, illustrating a gradual improvement from the lower figures seen in previous years.

The Path Forward

Moving forward, Mayor Woodfin emphasized the city’s commitment to robust recruitment strategies. He stated, “We’re going to continue to be overly aggressive at the local level from a marketing standpoint, from a word-of-mouth standpoint, from a relationship standpoint to be dogmatic and overly aggressive in hiring police.” However, hiring remains subject to guidelines set by the Jefferson County Personnel Board, which limits unilateral hiring practices.

Despite these challenges, Mayor Woodfin reassured the community, saying, “We are going to be in a position to continue to enhance police presence, as well as show this community we mean business.” As the city prepares for increased patrols in entertainment districts, officials hope to foster a safer environment for Birmingham residents and visitors alike.