Editorial: Double-digit crime decrease - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Double-digit crime decrease

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  • Editorials

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
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A double digit decrease in crime in Montgomery hasn't happened in more than a decade. 

It did in 2009 and all involved in making it happen deserve credit. 

Engaged and involved citizens who actively worked to take back neighborhoods from criminals with community policing deserve much credit. 

So does Police Chief Art Baylor and his team for implementing and executing an effective precinct system with strong captains who communicated effectively to spot trends and proactively stop crime. 

Anticipating crime with mapping systems and saturation details, stopping it with roadblocks, and thwarting it with new technology like shot spotter  - all played a role in reducing crime nearly 12%. 

Hats off to all the patrol men and women who not only worked hard to reduce crime but helped reduce accidents and fatalities 35% through stronger enforcement of our streets as well, helped in part by the red light cameras. 

Keep on it in 2010 and let's hope you get greater help this year in reducing the recidivism rate with more support from the criminal justice system through true truth in sentencing.