Donate today to help Birmingham stay informed.
Birmingham officials on Tuesday reminded residents of an upcoming program focused on connecting the community with public safety workers.
Cedric Sparks, chief of staff to Mayor Randall Woodfin, told the City Council during its meeting Tuesday morning that this year’s Academy of Civic Engagement will give residents “a first-hand look at the public safety professionals we rely on in our moments of concern, emergency and conflict.”
This year’s program comes as officials work to reduce violent crime from a record-setting high in 2024, with major investments in intervention programs and police recruiting measures.
There is evidence that at least some of those programs are working. According to city data, so far this year total violent crime has decreased by 8.5% to 1,334 total incidents. Murder cases stand at 29. That’s compared to 52 during the same time last year and 103 in the first eight months of 2024. Rape and robbery incidents saw similar drops year-to-date, with 39% and 41% respectively.
One of the programs that Birmingham officials credit is the city’s Hospital-Linked Violence Intervention Program.
This year’s Academy of Civic Engagement will include sessions with the community violence intervention team. The program will also include sessions with police, firefighters, EMS workers, 911 communication staff and municipal court staff.
“Residents will learn what these departments do, when and how to engage them, and what to expect when seeking city services or assistance,” officials said in a news release.
Birmingham’s Academy of Civic Engagement began in 2019 with the mission of giving residents a deeper understanding of how local government works. According to city officials, 1,400 Birmingham residents have participated in the academy.
Public Safety ACE begins Sept. 3, with sessions held each Thursday throughout the month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Birmingham Public Library, Central Branch downtown.
Registration is free and open to all Birmingham residents, but space is limited. Residents are encouraged to register early. For more information or to register, email ace@birminghamal.gov or visit www.birminghamal.gov/ace.
The council had planned to take up the proposed Southern Area Framework Plan, which is part of the city’s comprehensive plan. The item was removed from the agenda, and a new date for the public hearing and possible vote hasn’t been set. A public hearing for the Pratt-Ensley Framework Plan is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sept. 22 at the Birmingham City Council meeting.
