News Summary

The Birmingham City Council has approved a $10 million contract amendment with Alabama Power to install new public safety cameras and license plate readers around the city. This initiative aims to enhance public safety by integrating the cameras with the Birmingham Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center. The funding includes support from a federal grant, and city officials emphasize the importance of these installations in reducing crime rates and fostering community safety.

Birmingham City Council Approves $10 Million Contract Amendment for Increased Public Safety Cameras

The Birmingham City Council has approved an amendment to a contract with Alabama Power that will enhance public safety through the installation of approximately 20 new public safety cameras and license plate readers (LPRs) around the city. The total cost of the contract has now risen from around $5 million to nearly $10 million.

This amendment allows the city to utilize Alabama Power’s poles and electricity to power the new safety cameras. The cameras will be integrated with Birmingham’s Real Time Crime Center, enabling their use by the Birmingham Police Department. An important aspect of this agreement is that Alabama Power will be responsible for maintaining the cameras as part of the contract.

The funding for the first phase of the camera installation was primarily supported by a $4.5 million federal grant obtained by Alabama Senator Katie Britt in May 2024. This latest amendment, which was proposed by Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, faced scrutiny during a council meeting on July 1, resulting in a delayed vote due to concerns about the significant cost increase associated with the amendment.

To address these concerns, a special Committee of the Whole meeting was convened on July 7, where representatives from Alabama Power, Mayor Woodfin, and Chief Michael Pickett of the Birmingham Police Department were present to answer questions. Council members raised several inquiries about how the increased costs would be funded once the current federal grant money expires.

Mayor Woodfin indicated that the city would actively seek additional federal grants to continue funding the contract. In the event that no further federal assistance is obtained, the city plans to budget from the general fund to meet the costs for the remaining contract term.

Birmingham City Council President Darell O’Quinn noted that the increased contract would necessitate approximately $2 million per year. O’Quinn acknowledged the challenge of placing a monetary value on public safety while discussing the costs involved in the amendment.

Emphasizing the importance of public safety, Mayor Woodfin highlighted the city’s efforts to reduce gun violence and homicides, citing a more than 50% decrease in homicide rates. Additionally, Councilor LaTonya Tate underscored the necessity of intentional actions regarding public safety, indicating that open conversations among community members are essential for making progress.

The contract amendment has been approved for an additional 20 months of service, bringing the total cost to $9.7 million. Within this amount, $4.1 million is allocated from the U.S. Department of Justice. The funding from the city will be disbursed in regular installments throughout the contract extension period.

This decision reflects Birmingham’s commitment to enhancing public safety across the city. The introduction of these additional public safety cameras is seen as a proactive measure to foster safer neighborhoods and assist the police department in its efforts to combat crime effectively.

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Additional Resources

• Birmingham Times: Birmingham City Council Increases Funding for New Public Safety Cameras
• Google Search: Birmingham City Council Public Safety Cameras
• WBRC: Birmingham City Council Votes to Amend Camera Contract with Alabama Power
• Wikipedia: Red Light Camera
• ABC News: Family Seeks Body Camera Footage of Fatal Police Shooting
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Safety
• WVTM: Birmingham Police Body Cam Shooting
• Google News: Birmingham police body cam shooting
• AL.com: Body Cam Video of Homewood Police Killing Beloved Aliceville Teen
• Google Scholar: Birmingham Public Safety Cameras

Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER

The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.