Skip to content

violent crime

News / Public safety

Alabama mayors urge voters to expand Aniah’s Law

Alabama’s largest-city mayors urged support for a ballot measure that would let judges deny bond in more violent crime cases.
April 30, 2026

Birmingham man sentenced for carjacking and firearm charges

A federal judge sentenced Darise Cortez Austin, age 29, on Friday for carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence that occurred in Birmingham. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Acting Special Agent in Charge Frank Haera. U.S. District Judge Corey … Continued
June 29, 2020

Alabama Parole and Probation Officers supervising nearly 9,000 violent criminals

The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles released a report Thursday that was shared with state legislators and the media this week that shows Alabama’s 300 parole and probation officers are tasked with supervising 8,993 people convicted of violent crimes. The officers are tasked with supervising more than 27,000 Alabama offenders as well as more … Continued
May 29, 2020

Conservative Leadership Conference panel discusses prison reform

A panel discussed reforming Alabama’s prisons at the Conservative Leadership Conference in Florence Saturday. State Senator Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, is Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and serves on the state prison task force. He is also a Republican candidate for Alabama Supreme Court, Place 1. “Prison reform is a very vague term,” Ward said. … Continued
February 18, 2020

Chip Brown to reintroduce bill allowing judges to hold those charged with violent crimes without bail

Alabama Rep. Chip Brown, R-Mobile, on Thursday announced plans to once again file a constitutional amendment that would allow judges to hold more people charged with violent crimes in jail without bail.  Brown’s filed similar legislation last year, but after passing in the state House in a 92-3 vote it failed to clear the Alabama … Continued
December 20, 2019

Violent crime in Alabama: Enough is enough

Kamille McKinney. Aniah Blanchard. Sloan Harmon. Over the last six weeks, the people of Alabama have been confronted with a frightening reality that very few of our politicians have been willing to acknowledge: our state has a violent crime problem. Don’t believe me? Violent crime in Alabama is up 20 percent over the last ten … Continued
November 20, 2019