Woodfin’s response to Birmingham crime is ‘game of Russian Roulette,’ challenger says

State Rep. Juandalynn Givan made a case for her run for Birmingham mayor on the Gary Richarson Morning Show on WJLD radio.Screenshot

Birmingham city leaders are playing a deadly game of “Russian roulette” when it comes to their inadequate response to violence in the city, a challenger for the mayor’s office said.

“We’re seeing a game of Russian roulette only for the purpose of someone getting back in office or to bolster their credibility,” State Rep. Juandalynn Givan said this morning during an appearance on the Gary Richardson Morning Show on WJLD radio. “At the end of the day, who’s next?”

Givan spoke this morning, a day after Mayor Randall Woodfin delivered his State of the City address and a follow-up town hall. Woodfin Tuesday used most of his State of the City message to detail the recent city crime commission report, its recommendations and action steps already underway.

Givan today portrayed a dystopian view of the city with a slew of unmet needs, most importantly public safety.

“No one is slinging mud. This is an election and everything that I say to you is going to be facts,” Givan said. “The fact of the matter is, did Birmingham have its higher murder rate last year? Fact. Are the streets decayed and our communities dilapidated? Fact. Listen, is the response time for the service needed by the citizens of Birmingham really lacking at this time? That’s fact.”

Birmingham ended 2024 with 151 homicides, the highest number in the city since 1933.

As Woodfin seeks a third term the issue of crime has already become a central political theme from critics and challengers.

Birmingham’s police force has dipped from 822 officers in 2017, the year Woodfin took office, down to 639 in 2023. The numbers come the city’s 2023 annual comprehensive financial report.

When it comes to tougher gun legislation, a call by Woodfin, Givan said that most of the gun crime in Birmingham comes from people who have illegally obtained weapons.

“The permit-less carry deals with legal guns. Birmingham has a problem with these killers using illegal guns they bought on the black market,” Givan said.

In addition to crime, Givan discussed core city services such as street paving, demolition, and lot cleaning.

The interview with Richardson did not include outside calls or questions during her hour-long appearance.

Givan recalled former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford and his “23 in 23” program, a massive public works cleanup launched in 2008.

The program included removing tons of garbage, cutting grass, towing junk cars and tackling blight in 23 communities in 23 days.

The rotating cycle of trash and debris cleanup was a promise Langford made during his campaign for mayor.

The program was successful. However, Langford at the time lamented the public’s lack of cooperation in maintaining cleanliness.

Later administrations, beginning with former Mayor Wiliam Bell, modified and trimmed the program after complaining about the cost from overtime spending that it required.

Givan offered her own version of the Langford program.

“In 122 days, we’re going to clean up this city,” she said. “We’re going to have a clean sweep. That means if I can’t resurface every street, certainly I can fill these potholes.”

On the other hand, Woodfin Tuesday discussed the city’s amended operating budget which includes $19.5 million for street paving, new sidewalks, weed removal, and demolition of vacant buildings.

Still, Birmingham’s public works department has shrunk from 840 workers in 2017 to 536 in 2023, according to city finance reports.

Givan also referenced Langford’s former campaign slogan, “Let’s Do Something.” It was that campaign in 2007 where Langford unseated a two-term incumbent mayor on a platform largely focused on public safety and public works.

Regarding current low rates of resident participation in voting and community input, Givan called apathy a symptom of failed leadership, she said.

“They’re disengaged, they’re tired and they’re sick and tired of being lied to,” she said.

Birmingham city elections are August 26.