Gov. Kay Ivey announced the allocation of two grants totaling over $237,000 aimed at reducing violent crime in Jefferson County and Birmingham, according to a news release from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

The Jefferson County Commission has been awarded $137,242, while the city of Birmingham will receive $100,000 under the federal Project Safe Neighborhoods grant program. A goal of Project Safe Neighborhoods is to incorporate research, data analysis and lessons learned from other violent crime reduction initiatives to inform its decision-making on the most effective violence reduction strategies.

“Violent crime has terrorized many neighborhoods and resulted in unnecessary heartache,” Ivey said in a statement. “This program uses multiple resources to find local solutions to help communities weed out this evil and reduce crime in our neighborhoods.”

In all of Jefferson County, there were 194 homicides in 2024.

The grant to Jefferson County will enable the Sheriff’s Department to purchase equipment to join the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network.

This technology will enhance the ability of the Sheriff’s Department and more than 20 law enforcement agencies in the county to solve crimes by tracing firearms and ballistic evidence, according to the release.

“The funding will be used to purchase equipment that will enhance our investigative efforts to combat violent crime. The equipment will allow us to identify those who continue to commit violent crime and disrupt their criminal activities,” Sheriff Mark Pettway said in a statement.

Birmingham ended 2024 with 151 homicides, the highest number of killings in the city in nearly a century.

This year, Birmingham homicides dropped nearly 50% in the first three months of 2025 to a low not seen in eight years.

While homicides are down this year, officials say there is more work to be done.

The Birmingham Police Department plans to use its funds to update outdated or insufficient equipment. Police officials stated that the new upgrades will improve both communications and management of case files.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is part of a nationwide effort to unite local, state and federal officials to devise strategies for combating violent crime cohesively.

ADECA is administering the grant from funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.