An elite task force of law enforcement entities from the state and federal levels will now work side by side to fight an increasing epidemic of crime in Alabama’s capital city.
The group, the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit, will be operating with the support of the U.S. Department of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. The task force’s primary job is responding to emergency calls within Montgomery.
AG Steve Marshall spoke at a press conference last week about the new efforts being made by law enforcement to root out crime and protect residents of the city, who are increasingly concerned about their safety conditions.
“As Alabamians, we do not tolerate violent crime, and that is a mantra that has to be adopted by this city,” said Marshall. “We have to support the men and women of law enforcement with all of our efforts because this effort is not some innovative program. It’s not something that we’ve taken from another state or that we’ve adopted from some criminal justice professor’s paper. This is Law Enforcement 101. It is using bodies to saturate areas where there is criminal activity and using the tools available to law enforcement to do our job.”
“And when law enforcement is unleashed, to be able to make communities safer, it works.”
We have to support the men and women of law enforcement with all of our efforts. pic.twitter.com/mx2t3xbr5z
— Attorney General Steve Marshall (@AGSteveMarshall) July 28, 2024
Marshall emphasized that Montgomery Police also require support and trust from municipal leaders.
“But what they need are public officials that stand behind them and say, we support the efforts that you make. I can tell you that Governor Ivey does. I can guarantee you that the attorney general does. I appreciate the men and women behind me who likewise do the same. But we need a community to be able to stand up and do it.”
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“We need local officials that are responsible for police departments to do the same thing, to respect and trust law enforcement to do a job and do it well, and to be able to hold members of our community that need to be held accountable, accountable for their actions.”
Montgomery Interim Police Chief James Graboys also addressed the media at the event and likewise implored the community to work with law enforcement.
“As we continue to support and applaud the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit, let us also remember the importance of community involvement and cooperation in creating a safer environment for everyone,” Graboys said. “Together, we can make a difference and build a brighter future for our city.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
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