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The Alabama Big 10 Mayors Wednesday praised “Safe Alabama,” a major package of legislation designed to improve public safety across the state.
The legislation, announced by Governor Kay Ivey, Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, law enforcement groups, and the Alabama Big 10 Mayors, includes bills that will equip law enforcement, municipalities, and prosecutors with additional tools to prevent crime and hold violent criminals accountable. Representing the Big 10 Mayors at the announcement event at the Alabama State Capitol were Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin.
“It’s important for public safety officers to know they have our support and that we will do everything we can to give them the tools to safely and effectively do their jobs,” said Mayor Battle. “It’s also important to assure the public that their state, city and county leaders value their safety and are proactively working to make our communities the best they can be.”
Mayor Maddox noted, “The State of Alabama operates under the Dillon Rule, meaning our authority comes from the Alabama legislature, making this legislative session crucial for our cities. Our top priority is public safety, and the Big 10 Mayors are working closely with state legislators, including the Governor’s Office, to support law enforcement and advance key safety initiatives for our communities that cannot be accomplished in isolation.”
“We are grateful to see legislative support for the ‘Safe Alabama’ slate of bills,” said Mayor Stimpson. “These bills will enhance public safety in Mobile and statewide by giving law enforcement and the courts more tools to hold violent criminals accountable for their actions. I applaud Gov. Ivey and the leadership in the House and Senate for their quick action on these needed reforms.”
“In Birmingham, we are laser-focused on improving public safety,” said Mayor Woodfin. “We are working diligently with other mayors, the governor and our state legislators to make sure our police officers have more tools to reduce gun violence and protect our residents and businesses. We are particularly glad to have this unified voice calling for a statewide ban on conversion devices to help us get Glock switches off the street.”
The Alabama Big 10 Mayors worked with state officials and members of the Legislature to include legislation addressing key public safety issues in Alabama, including stricter penalties for firing into occupied dwellings and vehicles, a state law banning “Glock switches” – a federally illegal device that turns semi-automatic firearms into fully-automatic weapons, and prohibitions on firearm possession for convicted felons and individuals awaiting trial for violent crimes.
Notably, the legislative package also includes expansion of Aniah’s Law to include new categories of crimes for which an individual may be held without bond. This follows the Mayors’ successful advocacy for Aniah’s Law in 2021 and 2022.
Representing the ten largest cities in Alabama, the Big 10 Mayors work to find constructive solutions to the state’s and their cities’ most pressing problems. The group includes Auburn Mayor Ron Anders, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox.
