Montgomery mayor talks public safety, improvements, economy in update

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed held a press conference on Monday to update citizens on public safety, infrastructure improvements and what he said was economic growth. 

“Montgomery is working,” he said. “We’ve paved roads, reopened community centers, expanded local business opportunities, and reduced crime across the board, and we did it all in just the first six months of this year.”

During his update he reported that violent crime was down 28.3 percent, nonviolent crime was down 13.3 percent, homicides were down 13.5 percent and non-fatal shootings were down 22.5 percent. 

Reed praised Montgomery Police Chief James N. Graboys and the department for utilizing resources, technology and recruitment. 

“Our officers are doing their jobs,” he said. “They’re making arrests. But sometimes we’re seeing the same individuals back out on the street days later. That’s not a failure of policing. We need to make sure we are holding each other accountable across the system.”

In regards to infrastructure improvements he touted that 2,828 potholes were repaired since January, 5.2 miles of road were resurfaced, 3,490 feet of sidewalk restored for accessibility, mosquito spraying covered almost 150 square miles, and sanitation teams collected close to 20 tons of roadside litter.

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With economic growth he reported that the city reopened Sheridan Heights, Chisholm, and Crump Community Centers, are preparing to open the Courtney Pruitt Community Center, opened Firehouse 10 on the west side now housing a Safe Haven Baby Box, and launched the Block by Block program to "enhance" the downtown experience with "Montgomery Ambassadors."

Additionally, he said that the city is taking contractors to clean up neglected and overgrown places and can apply at montgomeryal.gov.

“We’ve shown what city government can do,” he said. “Now we need every part of the system, and every corner of this community, to stand with us. Because Montgomery’s future isn’t something we wait on. It’s something we build together.”

See below for a recording of the press conference.