Following Saturday night’s deadly mass shooting in Montgomery, should Alabama do like the Trump administration is doing in Memphis, Portland, Chicago and other cities with serious crime epidemics?
Should Alabama extend additional state law enforcement authority and resources into Montgomery?
With an outbreak of violent crime in Montgomery, the state’s top law enforcement official says he will revisit “the state’s authority over its capital.”
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s latest statement came after a deadly shooting in downtown Montgomery Saturday night.
It resulted in at least two deaths, three others wounded in life-threatening condition, and a total of 14 shot. The shooting took place near Bibb and Commerce Streets in the city’s entertainment district.
The location of the shooting could have consequences to the city beyond the dead, wounded and families.
It unfolded steps from hotels that often host state business and conference traffic, including the Renaissance Montgomery, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, and Staybridge Suites, and near “The Alley” entertainment district, the Montgomery Performing Arts Center (MPAC), the Chamber of Commerce, and two blocks from the Montgomery Biscuits’ ballpark.
At the time of this report, no suspects have been arrested or named.
Marshall is already part of a joint effort of state.
Federal and Montgomery officials formed the Montgomery Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit in 2024.
Early reports are that it may have been doing some good in lowering violent crime in the state’s capital city. The Saturday night shooting incident is a giant step backwards in crime prevention in Montgomery.
Calling the situation a “crisis,” Marshall didn’t mince words:
“My deepest sympathies are extended to the victims and families of those affected by the senseless violence that took place in downtown Montgomery last night. These events underscore, once again, that our capital city is in crisis. Though the blame lies with those who carelessly pulled the triggers, I continue to be troubled by the city leadership’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge that they have a serious problem. While I believe that local law enforcement is doing the best they can, the People of Montgomery deserve leaders who are competent, accountable, and committed to restoring law and order. As a resident of Montgomery myself, I remain committed to our efforts to turn this city around and to revisiting the conversation about the state’s authority over its capital.”
The Montgomery Area Crime Suppression Unit is a multi-agency task force created 15 months ago to combat violent crime in Montgomery and the surrounding areas.
It is led by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), with officers from participating agencies working together. Those participating agencies include:
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA): The lead agency for the unit.
Alabama Attorney General’s Office: Provides legal support and prosecution assistance.
Montgomery Police Department: Contributes local officers and resources.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office: Works in partnership with the city’s police.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): Provides federal support and resources.
MACS officers use technology like the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to connect firearms to crime scenes.
Since its creation in 2024, the MACS unit has claimed measurable, though clearly limited success:
In its first year, ALEA credited the unit with a significant drop in both violent crime and overall crime in Montgomery.
Within its first 100 days, the unit seized hundreds of illegal weapons and stolen vehicles.
Officials have noted a decrease in serious crime-related emergency calls and fewer gunshot victims being seen at Montgomery-area emergency rooms.
Due to its initial success in Montgomery, state leaders have discussed expanding the MACS model to other cities in Alabama, such as Birmingham.
Governor Kay Ivey requested $3 million in 2025 to create a permanent task force that could be deployed to other areas of the state as needed.
What options are open to the State of Alabama that could expand the state’s authority over the city of Montgomery and its crime problem?
That is the conversation that Attorney General Marshall will revisit.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected]
