What’s the way to prevent and reduce crime in Birmingham?

The prescription suggested by Birmingham residents at a BW Listening session is community involvement and investment – from city government, churches, individual residents and families, and communities as a whole.

It’s not primarily about police, they said. “The absence of police means safety to me,” said Carmen, a West End resident. “Police can’t prevent crime.”

A half-dozen residents of East Lake and West End and other city neighborhoods gathered for a BW Listening conversation this week at the headquarters of Urban Ministry, a social services organization in southwest Birmingham. BirminghamWatch is asking what’s on the minds of Birmingham voters as they approach elections of a mayor, members of the City Council and school board members. Read more.