In a news conference the day after the mass shooting in Montgomery, Mayor Steven Reed had an unusual bit of advice for would-be shooters:
“You don’t care about your life? Go jump off a bridge. You don’t pull a gun and shoot in a crowd of people.”
Later that day, a response came from Shannon Ferrari. She is founder of an active, crime watchdog Facebook page that today nears 100,000 members.
Ferrari started the page, “City Watch [Uncut] Montgomery, Alabama” about ten years ago.
Over the decade, it has reported crime incidents faster than the news media and faster than law enforcement. Sometimes, criminal acts on City Watch were never reported by media.
The page has also pointed out suggestions and criticisms about Montgomery’s crime situation.
When former Mayor Todd Strange announced he would not run again, Probate Judge Steven Reed announced that he would seek the open Mayor’s seat. So did Shannon Ferrari. She had an issue – crime in Montgomery. It was a hot issue then and remains a hot issue now.
Much to the disappointment of the Facebook group’s then-membership of over 50,000, Shannon and her crime-fighting issue did not catch on in the Mayor’s race. The top two finishers who advanced to the runoff were Reed and TV station-owner David Woods.
Reed won.
Fast forward to 2025. The City Watch Montgomery page has grown to nearly 100,000. Crime is still a concerning issue in Montgomery.
Ferrari was quick to reply to comments made Sunday by Mayor Reed:
“Friends, if any of you are feeling depressed or are having suicidal thoughts, please don’t take the mayor’s advice. There are resources and programs available. Your life matters. Call or text 988. I’m sure the mayor was trying to convey a different message in regards to criminals who have no regard for human life.
“Mayor, instead of telling the criminals to jump off a bridge, why don’t you put them in jail and keep them in jail. Stop giving them a slap on the wrist and actually hold them accountable.
“Stop manipulating crime stats and giving people a false sense of security. Stop spending the city’s money for your own personal gain and exposure. You’re not a movie star. You were elected to manage Montgomery, Alabama.
“You were elected to protect the city by ensuring public safety, coordinating emergency responses, overseeing public works like police and fire departments, and promoting the overall well-being of residents.
“Stop using our valuable, overworked, and short-staffed police force to protect your home, while most citizens sleep in fear. Stop running off to Washington in search of clout while your city suffers. Stop allowing beggars to harass us at every corner, while trashing our beautiful city.
“Recruit more police officers and allow them to do their job, so that we can retain a much needed police force.
“Put your big boy pants on and take a stand, or resign and follow your other aspirations. This isn’t about race or political parties. There are other qualified and capable candidates willing to do your job within your own party. As it stands, the current system is failing us miserably.”
As of Monday morning, Montgomery police say no arrests have been made. Investigators “brought in multiple people for questioning,” but have not identified suspects publicly.
The reward stands at $50,000, with tips urged to the Montgomery Police Department of Central Alabama CrimeStoppers.
Bystanders are asked to email any video from the shootout to [email protected].
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]
