By L.M. Ferguson
 1.)    The Opening of Birmingham’s Uptown Entertainment District- Over the past few years Birmingham’s nightlife and skyline have seen a slow resurgence, but 2013 was the best year yet. With the opening of the Westin Hotel and Todd English Pub Birmingham’s entertainment district is off to a wonderful start.
2.)    No More Bankruptcy– The end of 2013 was also the end of the dark days of bankruptcy for Jefferson County. As the county exits bankruptcy it seems as if the clouds have parted of Jefferson County and the sun is beginning to shine.  Now hopefully the county can move past the negative publicity bankruptcy brings and focus on continued growth and development.
3.)    Miles College’s Record Breaking Expansion– Fall 2013 was not just the beginning of another school year at Miles College. This year the College completed its largest expansion to date with the renovation of several buildings and the addition of three new buildings to campus: The President George T. French Jr. Student Activity Center; the Bishop Teresa Snorton Residence Hall, and a Welcome and Admissions Center. Miles College President, Dr. George T. French, Jr. sees the success of the recent expansion project and capital campaign as the beginning and not the end. Look for there to be continued growth on the Miles College campus in the years to come.
 4.) Birmingham, An All-America City – In 2013 Birmingham received the distinction of being named an All
America City. Every year the National Civic League  Recognizes 10 cities that have had exceptional civic
accomplishments. Birmingham’s economic growth, quality of life and philanthropic efforts all played a  role in securing the coveted national award.

 5.)    Birmingham Becomes a Destination – 2013 could be known as the year Birmingham took the national press spotlight by storm, in a positive way. Everyone from the Today Show to Fodor’s Magazine listed Birmingham as a top destination in 2013. Not many people would think that Birmingham would be on the same list as Miami and Croatia but in 2013 Birmingham proved it is no longer a city of the past, but instead a tourist destination poised for a great future.
6.)    The Return of Downtown – We all know or have heard of the glory days of downtown Birmingham, but until recently they have only been a thing of the past. However, 2013 showed the world and some Birmingham residents that downtown is once again, the place to be. In August The New York Times featured an article entitled, “A Return to Downtown Birmingham.” The article which highlighted Birmingham’s Railroad Park, the new Regions Field and many other new developments showcased a new Birmingham that is proud of its history but is still searching for innovative ways to continue to develop and grow. Forbes Magazine also listed Birmingham on its “15 U.S. Cities’ Emerging Downtowns” list.

7.)    The Birmingham City School System is headed in a the right direction – This may be more of a goal than an accomplishment but with the election of a new school board in 2013 the system’s leadership is moving toward stability. Although the system will face its challenges in 2014, and beyond, the state has relaxed its recent takeover of the system, and many schools have earned accolades in 2013. It is safe to say the best is yet to come for the Birmingham City School System but even through its challenges 2013 has been a welcome change and will surely lead to a brighter future for Birmingham City School students.

8.)    Birmingham Crossplex Becomes an International Sports Venue– For the past few years The Birmingham Crossplex has been one of the City’s most understated treasures. However, in 2013 the facility was named Indoor Track and Field Facility of the Year by The American Sports Builders Association.

9.)    Birmingham Moves Forward– As Birmingham and the nation celebrated 50 years since the civil rights demonstrations of 1963 area leaders used the commemoration as an opportunity to show how far Birmingham has come since the days of legalized segregation. Birmingham Mayor William A. Bell, Sr., his staff and other elected officials made 2013 a memorable year filled with reflections of the past and promises for the future. September 11- September 15, 2013 marked Empowerment Week in the City. The week, aimed to honor those who took part in, and who lost their lives in the civil rights demonstrations of 1963 but, it also showed the world just how far Birmingham has come.

10.) Baseball Returned to Birmingham – In 2013 Birmingham had the unique opportunity to say that it is home to the oldest and newest baseball stadiums in the country. America’s oldest baseball stadium, Rickwood Field draws sports enthusiasts from all over the world throughout the year but it has not been the home field for a baseball team in years. In 2013, Birmingham welcomed the Birmingham Barons back to Birmingham from Hoover where they had been based for over a decade. The new Regions Field is home to the Birmingham Barons and has also added a welcomed addition to Birmingham’s skyline. With a record setting season, including sold out crowds and a Southern League Championship win it looks like the Barons are exactly where they should be and where they should stay…in Birmingham!

Homicide Investigation Update
 

The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives have arrested and charged a suspect in connection with a homicide investigation. The incident occurred on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at approximately 2:50 p.m., at 33rd Street and Avenue E.

The victim has been identified as:
Quintin Long, B/M, 22, of Birmingham, Alabama.

The suspect has been identified as:
Eugene Hale, W/M, 23, of McCalla, Alabama. A Capital Murder warrant with no bond has been obtained against the suspect. The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.

Investigators obtained information that identified the suspect as the person responsible for the shooting. During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that the suspect and victim were involved in a dispute during a drug transaction just before the shooting.

Arson Arrest

The Birmingham Police Department reports that a suspect has been charged in connection with an arson investigation.

The suspect has been identified as:
Derrick Reezer, B/M, 19, of Fairfield, Alabama. An Arson warrant with no bond has been obtained against the suspect. A Burglary warrant with a $50,000 bond has also been obtained against the suspect.
Investigators found that the suspect was involved in a domestic incident days before the fire. The incident involved one of the victims involved in the apartment fire. The suspect was also charged in connection with the domestic violence incident. BPD Domestic Violence investigators obtained a Domestic Violence Strangulation warrant with a $75,000 bond and a Domestic Violence Robbery warrant with a $50,000 bond. The suspect was also found to have a Failure to Appear warrant for drugs with no bond.
The suspect is in the custody of the Jefferson County Jail.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.
Postal Service Employees Indicted for Stealing Postal Money Orders

BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury has indicted two U.S. Postal Service employees in different post offices for each stealing more than $27,000 in money orders or other postal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge Maximo Eamiguel.
In separate indictments filed in U.S. District Court, Germaine Foster, 36, of Birmingham, and Sharon Harrison, 56, of Maplesville, are charged with theft of U.S. Postal money orders and theft of government property.
Foster worked in the Maylene post office and Harrison worked at the Shelby post office. Foster is charged with stealing about $27,650 in money orders and other postal funds. Harrison is charged with stealing about $27,291 in money orders.
Theft of Postal Service money orders carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Theft of government property carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Postal Service, OIG, investigated the cases, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank M. Salter is prosecuting.

The public is reminded that an indictment is only a charge. A defendant is presumed innocent and it will be the government’s responsibility to prove guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt, at trial.

Cash For Crooks Div. of Refuge In Trouble Times Community Development, Inc., PO Box 28083, Birmingham, Ala., 35228.
Our give back was Monday, December 23, at the Harbert Center, 2019 4th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham.  Representative Roderick (Rod) Scott was our keynote speaker and Minister Treman Muhummad of the Mosque 69.
There were 96 people in attendance to receive gifts from 7-year-old Yana Davis. Yana (6 at the time) told her mom in October when asked what she wanted for Christmas:  I want nothing for Christmas, just give my gifts to all the children who have lost their parents through violence. Her mom Asley called RITT and the world pulled together to make her prayer gift come true.  Many children with their grandparents or moms came out. There were more than 1500 gifts that were given away. Santa came in around 7:30; the children cheered, shouted, taking pictures, and telling Santa what they wanted. It was a night for the children to remember a lifetime.
RITT works diligently with Law enforcement to help solve cold case files. One case was Jeffery Burke who last week when arriving home was gunned down as he exited his car. If you know anything about this or any of our cases here, please call 205-254-7777 or text CRIMES7777.  NO NICK NAMES PLEASE. You will recieve a cash reward for the info if it leads to an arrest/conviction. RITT would love to help you, our readers, stop crime where we live.  Email your story to odussasplace@yahoo.com or call Minister Ward at 205-240-9910. Thank you for all your support. Remember have a safe, blessed and prosperous Holiday season for 2014.  Reality is, when it happens to you, don’t let it happen before you get involved.

A total of 10 Birmingham schools were included on the list of failing schools presented in June 2013 by the Alabama Department of Education. Parents with students attending those schools were given an option under the Accountability Act to transfer their children to other non-failing schools in the district; enroll their children in private schools and receive a $3,500 tax credit; or seek to enroll their children in non-failing schools in neighboring school systems.
Each of the options falls short in remedying the problems that cause schools to fail, while two of the options bring a loss of funds for school systems at a time when we can not afford to reduce the dollars spent on public education in urban and rural settings.
The Alabama Accountability Act, passed by a Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature in 2013, harms instead of helps a large number of students whose opportunity for success rests with the educational preparation they receive in public elementary, middle and high schools.

Consider these facts:
All of the 78 failing schools in the State of Alabama are located within high poverty or rural communities, where 94 percent of the students receive free or subsidized lunch.
In Birmingham, 62 students transferred within the system to non-failing schools, and only two students transferred to private schools, granting their parents the opportunity to take advantage of a $3,500 tax break for tuition.
But, more than 3,000 Birmingham students, and thousands more throughout the state are enrolled in schools dubbed failing.
We must support the enhancement of public education in this state, but we should do so by developing initiatives that lift the masses instead of rewarding a few while destroying others.
We must call on the Alabama Legislature to take another look at the Accountability Act, and focus on what’s best for all of our children. We must encourage educational accountability that builds success by strengthening our local schools instead of removing the funds they need to survive and thrive.

Birmingham City Councilor Steven Hoyt

During the Birmingham City Council Meeting held Tuesday, December 31, 2013, Council: 

Referred to the Administration Committee a Resolution requesting that the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation establish a Bill that will restrict the further proliferation of payday lending institutions and cap the amount of interest that can be charged to consumers and any other regulations that will aid in the protection of our citizens from predatory acts that threatens the financial stability of families and those that are in need of short term loan alternatives. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Lashunda Scales at 254.2349.

Other items approved by the Council at today’s meeting include the following:

1. Referred to the Administration Committee a Resolution requesting a meeting with the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation to establish a continuing dialogue to address the impending matter with the Water Works Board and to build a coalition to further strengthen our working relations during the 2014 Legislative Session. For more information, contact the office of Councilor Lashunda Scales at 205.254.2349.

2. Placed on consent a Resolution fixing a special assessment in the amount of $16,113.84 against the property located at 2621 Court R Ensley, Birmingham, for the cost incurred for the emergency demolition of an unsafe building or structure.

3. Set a public hearing February 11, 2014 to consider the adoption of an Ordinance “to amend the zoning district map of the city of Birmingham” (Case No. ZAC2013-00020) to change zone district boundaries from R-1, Single Family District to A-1, Agricultural District and B-2, General Business District, filed by Patrick Roll, owner, for properties located at 2000, 2008, and 2012 Mountain View Road; and situated in the NE¼ of Section 15, Township 17-S, Range 1 West, Birmingham.For more information, contact the office of Councilor Jay Roberson at 254.2498.

Announcements and Reminders:

1. In observance of the New Year’s Holiday, Birmingham City Hall is closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2014.

2. A Special Called Administration Committee Meeting is scheduled on Friday, January 3, 2014, 12 Noon, Conference Rooms D & E.3. The Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, January 6, 2014, 4:00 p.m., Council Chambers.

4. A Special Called Transportation and Communication Committee Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 12:30 p.m., Conference Room A.

5. A Special Called Public Improvement and Beautification Committee Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 2:00 p.m., Conference Rooms D & E.

6. Council President Johnathan Austin announced a second work session with state law makers is scheduled on Thursday, January 9, 2014, 10:30 a.m., at the Birmingham Crossplex.

Are you unable to attend the Birmingham City Council meetings? Watch Council Meetings on demand. From anywhere in the world you can log on to www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org and click on the tab Watch Council Meetings; or from the comfort of your home, tune to Bright House Cable Channel 244. The Birmingham City Council meetings are free and on demand. 

 The City of Birmingham will make reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to enjoy all city services, programs and activities. If accommodations are required for public meetings, please contact John Long, Senior Public Information Officer, with reasonable advance notice by emailing John.Long@birminghamal.gov, or by calling 205-254-2036.

Celebrating the New Year holiday with the reckless and irresponsible shooting of firearms in the air is not only unlawful, but dangerous.  The projectile that goes into the air has to come down.  It can cause property damage and more significantly may cause serious injury or death.  A bullet fired into the air can climb up to two miles. When it falls back to earth, it can reach a speed of 300 to 700 feet per second.  A velocity of only 200 feet per second is sufficient to penetrate the human skull.
We are asking that citizens refrain from shooting their weapons during this year’s celebration.  If you see someone fire a gun, call the police.  If a stray bullet from your gun should hit or kill someone, you will be arrested and charged with felony assault or murder.  There will be a high visibility of officers throughout the city to enforce firearms violations.
At 10 a.m. on Monday, December 30, Birmingham Police Chief, A.C. Roper and his command staff addressed the media about the dangers of celebratory gunfire and gave an overview of the upcoming New Year’s Eve operation to combat this problem.

Celebratory Gunfire Enforcement “Operation Crackdown”

The Birmingham Police Department reports officer enforcement during Operation Crackdown on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 1, 2014. Information includes all four precincts.

Adult  Juvenile
Gunfire Arrest              0       0
Fireworks Seized          0       0
Weapons Seized          10      0

*Three seized weapons are recovered stolen weapons.

Felony     Misd.
Firearms Arrest        0           2
Other Arrest            11            4
Total Arrest             11            6
Total Charges         22            6

The information below reflects corrected stats that differ from earlier reported numbers in Media Release #1 of 2014. After analyzing the call response of officers, duplicate calls were removed from multiple officers showing to have responded to the same call

Curfew Violations                                     0
Gunfire Calls for service                      533
Shot-Spotter Gunfire Calls                  513
Shot-Spotter Fireworks Calls             430
Fireworks Calls for service                      0
Total Number of Calls for service   1,456

Shooting Death Investigation   
 

The Birmingham Police Department reports that detectives are conducting a shooting death investigation. The incident occurred on Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at approximately 1:30 a.m., at 3212 Wesley Avenue.

The victim has been identified as:
Desmond Bias, B/M, 36, of Birmingham, Alabama.

West Precinct officers responded to the incident location to investigate a report of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers located the victim lying in the roadway suffering from a gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue arrived and pronounced the victim deceased on the scene. The second party involved in the incident was located at the scene and taken into custody.

Investigators learned that there was a domestic altercation between two adult couples that included the victim and his wife and the male shooter and his wife. Investigators found that the altercation began in the neighboring City of Midfield and proceeded to the incident location just before the shooting. Detectives are continuing to investigate and will present their findings to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office for review and determination if charges will be filed.

This incident is not believed to be associated with New Year’s Eve celebratory gunfire.

If there is anyone who has information pertaining to the case, they are encouraged to contact the BPD @ 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 254-7777.

Celebratory Gunfire Enforcement “Operation Crackdown” Update 2

The Birmingham Police Department reports officer enforcement during Operation Crackdown on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 1, 2014. Information includes all four precincts.

Adult   Juvenile
Gunfire Arrest             0            0
Fireworks Seized         0            0
Weapons Seized *      10            0

*Three seized weapons are recovered stolen weapons.

Felony      Misd.
Firearms Arrest            0               1
Other Arrest                13               6
Total Arrest                 13               8
Total Charges             24               8

The information below reflects corrected stats that differ from earlier reported numbers in Media Release #1 of 2014. After analyzing the call response of officers, duplicate calls were removed from multiple officers showing to have responded to the same call.

Curfew Violations                                    0
Gunfire Calls for service *                 488
Shot-Spotter Gunfire Calls *            488
Shot-Spotter Fireworks Calls **      315
Fireworks Calls for service **              0
Total Number of Calls for service  803

* Most of the Gunfire calls for service and Shot-Spotter Gunfire calls are matching calls for the same location. Some Gunfire calls and Shot-Spotter calls also contain multiple calls to the same location.

** Most of the Fireworks calls for service and Shot-Spotter Fireworks calls are matching calls for the same location. Some Fireworks calls and Shot-Spotter Fireworks calls also contain multiple calls to the same location.