A new congressionally directed grant totaling $4.2 million will enable the City of Birmingham to purchase additional cameras and install them in high-crime areas.
According to Sen. Britt’s office, the funds will also be used by the city’s Real Time Crime Center to support local and state law enforcement officers and their ability to respond more quickly to crimes in progress or to those that recently occurred, aiding in crime prevention and the apprehension of those committing violent crimes.
Birmingham, like Montgomery, is experiencing a sharp increase in homicides in the first half of 2024. 103 homicides have been reported in the city as of August 14, 2024. Birmingham had 153 homicides in 2022, a record high. At this point in 2023, 96 homicides had been reported.
The federal funds were secured by Britt (R-Montgomery) in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which passed the Senate and was enacted into law on March 9, 2024. The award was formally announced by the Department of Justice this week.
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“This $4.2 million award will see Alabamians’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars return home to support local law enforcement efforts and community safety in Birmingham,” said Senator Britt. “I’m proud to have secured these funds during the 2024 Appropriations process, and I look forward to continue working on the committee to invest further into our state and communities.”
In the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations bills, Senator Britt supported approximately $7 billion in Alabama investments and priorities. This included the $4.2 million in congressionally directed spending the City of Birmingham has been awarded this week.
After the legislation passed, the City of Birmingham celebrated the funds and voiced their appreciation for Senator Britt’s support.
“We are grateful to Senator Katie Britt for supporting our city with these funds,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “Every day we work to keep our community safe. We utilize every possible tool, including teaching conflict resolution in all our schools, partnering with organizations for re-entry support and developing hospital-linked violence intervention. This support of the Real Time Crime Center – where we marry innovation with traditional policing tools – will expand the eyes and reach of our officers and make for quicker response times.”
“It takes a community to fight crime and we are grateful that Senator Britt is a part of the community working to make Birmingham a safer place.”
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270
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