Montgomery has seen some improvements in its crime situation, though there’s still a long way to go, according to Mayor Stephen Reid. During an interview on a recent episode of Alabama Politics, he touched on ongoing crime issues, their roots, and various initiatives being explored to tackle them, including the management of the urban school system—a cause he continues to support.

The mayor highlighted progress, noting that the Montgomery Metro Area Crime Control task force is assessing the outcomes. “We’ve been doing pretty good things over the first six months of the year,” Reid mentioned, adding that according to the data, violent crime has seen a notable decrease, with overall crime down by 28%. Non-fatal shootings dropped by 22%, and robbery incidents by 12%. “It’s a good trend. We want it to be zero. We want a safer world,” he expressed.

Reid also addressed the recent spike in violence, particularly after a wave of shootings earlier this month. In response, the Montgomery City Council passed a youth curfew law. It’s worth noting that while he initially hesitated about the curfew, parental concerns led to this decision, as he noted that kids weren’t taking the responsibility expected of them.

As Montgomery’s first Black mayor, Reid emphasized that the crime issue strikes a personal chord for him, especially as many of the affected families are Black. “It hits home because you often see young Black men and boys caught in the violence, and it’s disheartening,” he reflected. He feels a heightened responsibility due to this reality, which includes the impact on Black women and girls.

Reid made it clear that safety for all residents—regardless of race—is the goal, yet statistics reveal that many victims are African Americans. Another point of contention involves improving intra-urban education systems, often associated with crime. This topic gained traction particularly after the Montgomery County School Board dismissed a well-liked supervisor, an action seen by some as detrimental to the school system.

After this decision, Reid, along with other city leaders, privately believed it was a mistake but remained vocal about exploring a city-run school system. Reid mentioned that motivation to look into this has not waned in months: “The city’s school system is certainly an option I intend to explore.” He indicated that discussions with organizations about this potential shift have already begun.

“I think all options should be considered,” he said, underlining the lack of trust in the current school board. “Public schools are important, but they need the right governance to succeed. You can’t achieve goals without effective leadership.” City officials and local councilors are actively debating the possibility of moving forward with a city-based school system.

For those interested in hearing the full interview with Reid, it can be found on the Alabama Politics website.