State and local officials gathered at the Alabama State Capitol on Monday to provide an update on the Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit, a law enforcement coalition dedicated to reducing crime in Montgomery. The press conference, held in the Old House Chamber, was attended by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Secretary Hal Taylor, Attorney General Steve Marshall, Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Tyra Cunningham, Montgomery District Attorney Azzie Oliver, Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, and Montgomery Police Chief James Graboys.
Since its establishment on June 24, 2024, the MACS Unit has made significant strides in improving public safety. Operating for 94 days, the unit has conducted just under 100 operations targeting high-crime areas. Their efforts have led to 2,300 traffic stops, the service of 674 outstanding arrest warrants—ranging from Failure to Appear in traffic offenses to Capital Murder—and the arrests of 266 individuals on various charges. Law enforcement officers have also recovered 51 stolen vehicles, seized 195 firearms, and confiscated 103 machine gun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches.”
“The efforts of MACS are truly commendable, and the results speak for themselves,” said ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Director Chris Inabinett. “Today, we not only stand in unity with our fellow law enforcement officers but also the prosecutors who work to ensure that justice is served by holding criminals accountable.”
Officials also highlighted the MACS Unit’s role in solving and preventing violent crimes through advanced technology. By utilizing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), officers have been able to link various crime scenes involving firearms, improving investigative efficiency.
Crime statistics further underscore the MACS Unit’s impact. In 2024, Montgomery saw an 18.6% decrease in homicides and a 13% reduction in non-fatal shootings. So far in 2025, aggravated assaults have declined by approximately 19%.
A recent investigation led to the arrest of three individuals connected to multiple armed carjackings, with two of them also facing charges for illegally possessing firearms.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is proud to work with our state, local, and federal partners in this endeavor—an endeavor that has produced results,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson.
With the success of the MACS Unit, state leaders are now considering expanding the program. Governor Kay Ivey’s Safe Alabama bill package proposes $3 million per year to maintain a permanent, 24-officer MACS Unit in Montgomery, with additional funding potentially extending the initiative to Birmingham, Mobile, and other high-crime areas. Unlike the initial funding, expansion efforts would not require new legislation—only additional budget approval.
Related: AG Marshall: Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit could be effective in Birmingham
Attorney General Steve Marshall emphasized not only the statistics but also the community’s response to the MACS Unit’s presence.
“Just as we can quantify the success based on the number of arrests, the number of stops, the number of contacts, there’s also the intangible,” Marshall said. “It’s been those individuals that stop me in a grocery store and tell me that they feel safer.”
“I am extremely grateful for the partnership that helped create MACS, however, as law enforcement officers our work is never done,” Secretary Taylor said. “Clearly, today marks a milestone for the Unit, however, we believe this is just the beginning for units similar to this one. With the continued support from Governor Ivey and the Alabama Legislature, we can provide the same level of public safety and crime prevention across the entire state.”
As Alabama lawmakers finalize the 2026 state budget, discussions continue on expanding the MACS Unit statewide. Law enforcement officials and legislators remain optimistic that additional funding will allow them to replicate the success seen in Montgomery across the state.
With its impressive results in crime reduction and growing support from state leadership, the MACS Unit may soon become a model for crime suppression efforts across Alabama.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
