In her State of the State speech this week, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey promised a “crackdown on inner-city violence.”

Birmingham ended 2024 with 151 homicides, the highest number of killings in the city ever, breaking the record of 148 set in 1933.

Speaking at the State Capitol to kick off the legislative session that started Tuesday, Ivey called public safety her number one priority.

“Bolstering public safety is my number one priority this session, and I am proud to partner with Speaker Ledbetter and a bipartisan group of legislators in putting forward a package of bills that will back the blue and combat inner-city gun violence,” Ivey said.

“To back the blue, we will provide law enforcement with enhanced legal protections that allow them to carry out their duties courageously and effectively – without fear of Monday morning quarterbacking in the courts.”

She did not describe what “enhanced legal protections” for police would mean.

“We will support long-serving law enforcement families through dependent scholarships,” Ivey said. “Y’all, our men and women in blue put everything on the line. They need to know: Alabama has their backs.”

Then she hit a line that echoed Birmingham’s legislative priorities.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has called on Alabama legislators to ban gun conversion devices such as Glock switches, especially after a Sept. 21 mass shooting at the Hush Lounge in Birmingham’s Five Points South entertainment district that killed four and left 17 injured. In December, Birmingham approved a list of legislative priorities for 2025, with a Glock switch ban at the top of the legislative wish list.

“We will crack down on inner city violence by enhancing penalties for dangerous felons with guns,” Ivey said in her address. “We will expand Aniah’s law, boost our successful Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit, ban Glock switches, and we will enhance supervision of high-risk juveniles. Working together, we will create a safer Alabama.”

Asked for a response to Ivey’s called for a crackdown on inner-city gun violence, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin focused on familiar themes.

“Birmingham has long been in support of a state ban on conversion devices, such as Glock switches, which are a major contributor to violent crime in our communities,” he said. “We encourage state lawmakers to join us as a unified front to reduce gun violence. This includes supporting the Glock switch ban, prohibit felons from illegal firearm possession, enhance laws related to shootings into occupied dwellings and vehicles, and supporting our police through sovereign immunity currently provided for state law enforcement officers.”

He also echoed recent initiatives to expand recruitment of police officers.

“We are committed to our police officers through recently approved recruitment and retention bonuses, the establishment of a take home vehicle program, more technology and additional tools to protect and serve our city,” Woodfin said. “We are thankful for each of our police officers, recruits, and our continued collaboration with Sheriff Pettway, state and federal partners.”

Ivey called for expanding on a crime-fighting effort in Montgomery called the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit . MACS is made up of law enforcement officers from ALEA, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the Montgomery Police Department, the Montgomery Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Woodfin did not address that specifically, other than the reference to collaboration with Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway.

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor, speaking to reporters after the governor’s speech, said he had talked to Woodfin about the possibility of a MACS unit in Jefferson County. Taylor said it could draw from the multiple municipal police departments in the county.

In October, Birmingham approved Woodfin’s $15.8 million plan for recruiting and retaining police officers.

Woodfin had proposed the plan Oct. 1 in the aftermath of the Sept. 21 mass shooting at Hush Lounge at Five Points South that left four dead and 17 injured. Birmingham Police FOP President Deangelo Hall said he supported the plan.

The plan calls for increasing the signing bonus for new officers to $10,000 and establishing a quarterly retention bonus of $2,500 for officers who have been in the department for two or more years.

The recruitment and retention plan prioritizes patrol officers to strengthen police coverage in Birmingham neighborhoods.

The plan includes funding for more patrol cars to provide a take-home patrol car program.

The Birmingham Crime Commission, launched several months ago to address the city’s homicide crisis – specifically gun-related murders – completed an initial report that calls for a multi-faceted crime-fighting strategy focusing on both immediate and long-term solutions. The report was released Jan. 6.

“Birmingham’s current trajectory is untenable,’’ the commission wrote.

“But with bold leadership, innovative strategies and collective commitment, the city can transform the future and realize the vision of becoming the safest city in America.”