Police: Birmingham homicides down 45% over last year - WBRC FOX6 News - Birmingham, AL

Birmingham police say that there has been a 45 percent drop in homicides compared to this time last year.

There have been six murders so far compared to 11 in February 2012.

"It's the most important news for the city regarding public safety. We need it to continue," Police Chief A.C. Roper said.

Roper says there were five straight years of decreasing homicides until 2012, a year that started with five men killed in an Ensley home.

Chief Roper says there have already been operations this year to combat homicides and the crime reduction team is a big part of it.

"They do amazing work, really go after the worst of the worst in the city. Each precinct also has it's own task force so those precincts can focus on crime affecting their areas," Roper said.

He says continuing on this positive trend of public safety will take a number of initiatives and special projects. And police also need help from people in the community.

"When someone sees an issue that could result in violence we need them to pick up the phone [and] call police. Don't need their name, just information. Maybe we can save a life," Roper said.

Roper says the police department is working to strengthen relationships with the public. He and his officers go out in neighborhoods to walk the streets and meet people. They visited the Eastlake community just last week.

He says crime can't dwell in an area where there's a strong police partnership.

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