Violent crimes down by more than half in Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) - It is budget season for cities and county governments across Alabama.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox is proposing more than $100 million in spending for public safety in the upcoming year’s budget. The police department is part of that.

Mayor Maddox said since he took office some 20 years ago, violent crimes have dropped by more than 50%. The mayor attributes that to years of investment in public safety.

“Those investments continue to create the reduction we have seen in violent crimes in Tuscaloosa. Since I took office, violent crimes are down 51%, and I am very proud of that. And the investments we make with the Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue will help us achieve that,” said Mayor Maddox.

The overall proposed budget for the city of Tuscaloosa for the new fiscal year is $356 million - the largest ever, according to Maddox.

The city council usually votes on the proposed budget by late September.

The new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.

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