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Mayor Randall L. Woodfin joined President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the East Room of the White House on Thursday to address gun violence in America. Mayor Woodfin highlighted the horrific impact of gun violence in light of a mass shooting that occurred Saturday on the city’s Southside, leaving four dead and 17 wounded. Woodfin stood alongside President Biden as he signed an executive order to direct federal agencies to combat the emerging threats of machinegun conversion devices and un-serialized, 3D-printed firearms, as well as additional executive actions that advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s agenda to reduce gun violence and save lives.
“This is a historic day in the fight against gun violence,” Woodfin said. “I want to offer my sincerest gratitude to President Biden and Vice President Harris for recognizing the importance of having federal support in this hard-fought battle. Our close partnership with the administration, our U.S. Attorney and federal law enforcement agencies based in Birmingham is critical.”
Since Saturday’s incident, Mayor Woodfin has convened with city, county, state, and federal law enforcement as well as met with area business owners in the 5 Points South entertainment district to discuss resources and solutions. He also continues to reach out to Saturday’s victims and their families offering the city’s condolences and support. Mayor Woodfin plans to immediately return to Birmingham and continue to unite external partners and secure support for law enforcement to find those responsible for Saturday’s violence and work to build a safer Birmingham.
“I will not rest until these murderers are brought to justice,” he said. “I am committed to doing everything within my power to make sure that criminals cannot gun down innocent people with no regard for life. I will continue to call for changes in our local, state, and federal systems and also lobby for resources. I do this in honor of those who were impacted on Saturday and for all of Birmingham’s victims of senseless gun violence.”
In addition to his White House meeting, Mayor Woodfin has met this week with numerous key state leaders including Gov. Kay Ivey’s administration, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed to solicit partnerships and support to combat violent crime. These leaders along with House and Senate members from Jefferson County are working with the city on proposals to address violent crime as well as legislation to eliminate bureaucratic roadblocks to hiring more police officers in Birmingham.
In the meantime, the city is working to bring more police visibility across Birmingham’s neighborhoods and the mayor has committed to working with 5 Points South merchants to enhance the police presence during peak weekend hours. He has instructed Birmingham police to increase police presence in the city’s additional entertainment districts.
Earlier this week, Mayor Woodfin reached out to the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to assess federal resources available including mental health services. The Office of Victims of Crime within the Department of Justice has created an online resource page that can be found here.
The City of Birmingham has multiple initiatives in place to combat violent crime. Over the last six years, the Birmingham Police Department has taken 17,000 guns off the streets. And, earlier this year, BPD formed an interagency group of federal, state, and county law enforcement, which has led to the arrest of more than 100 criminals and also brought about 157 felony arrests.
Annually, the city invests $8 million in gun violence prevention, re-entry programs, and mental health services for our area students. The city’s conflict resolution program Common Ground has expanded to all Birmingham City Schools and into the public housing community. The RESTORE juvenile re-entry program currently provides support for youth ages 16 to 19 who are part of the state’s Department of Youth Services. The Safe Haven programs at Birmingham recreation centers is funded through a $1 million dollar commitment, and support continues for financial literacy programs to break the cycle of hopelessness and crime.
