Reeds reached for Montgomery, while crime gets out of control

At the weekend, the news quickly spread on social media and under Montgomery insiders that Mayor Steven Reed was a private meeting with several of the leading managing directors of the city. The goal of the meeting? Several sources familiar with the conversation stated that it was a matter of playing down concerns about increasing crime, burdening public criticism and putting pressure on local companies to include the state of public security in Alabama's capital.

This was not a round table for solutions. It was a damage regulatory meeting with closed doors, the growing public frustration, an overwhelmed police department and the increasing pressure to maintain Montgomerys few remaining company anchors-underneath you, Alfa insurance.

Just a few days earlier, Alfa announced plans to make his headquarters of South Montgomery on the former Colonial Bank Campus before I-85 in East Montgomery to move-a multimillion dollar deal, which was quickly approved to ensure that Alfa does not completely leave the city. The urgency was clear: Reed knows whether Alfa is going, others can follow.

But it is not a guided tour of summoning companies behind the scenes, while the citizens are exposed to daily threats on the street – it is a Shell game.

According to sources within the Montgomery Police Department (MPD), the city is dangerously understaffed by 25% more than publicly reported. The city departs five for all three officials. The reasons? Burnout, lack of support and increasing doubts as to whether the town hall is really obliged to turn things around.

Despite the mayor's public reassurance, the number of recruitment remains alarming and the crime continues to increase. Business owners in Montgomery Report repeated break-ins, attacks and theft. A national chain business in Montgomery is reportedly the second richest location for theft across the country.

While the residents and companies advocate stronger security and real solutions, the city tour seems to be the administration of the optics rather than the combating of basic causes.

At some point, the leadership not only has to respond to donors, developers or cameras.

The events of this private meeting confirm what many Montgomery residents suspected: Reed is more concerned with the control of the narrative than with the correction of the course. This is no longer just a problem with public security – it is a crisis of trust, transparency and truth.

Instead of listening to the residents about public forums, open town halls and open telephone lines on local talk radio stations, the mayor meets privately with elite stakeholders in order to put them under pressure, to downplay community problems and to present dissent as infidelity. This is not a government – this is political theater.

Where is the city council of Montgomery in all of this?

Still. Arrive. Activate.

Instead of checking the mayor's power, the Council has largely rubbed its agenda and refused to question the treatment of crime, transparency or economic development by the government. They were entitled to a few exceptions while undermining public trust.

The only appearance of transparency recently in the form of “consent agenta” positions is raised and high -quality contracts that have been tacitly approved with a minimal public examination and without open discussion. Among the most remarkable:

· $ 337.451 Health status for architecture design services in a new health facility.

· 85,000 US dollars To Lightning Line LLC for event planning services for the Dragon Boat Festival.

· 3.48 million US dollars To Matthes parking for a new Montgomery Biscuits Clubhaus.

· $ 150,000 Lee & Associates for lobbying on behalf of the city.

These figures are not just numbers – they are public dollars without a public voice.

The people in Montgomery have every right – and responsibility – to ask: Is this the leadership that was promised to us?

Reed was chosen to promise transparency, reform and community commitment. Instead, we saw a government that is obsessed with optics that was separated from the daily realities and rejected criticism – even if it comes from the city's own police department and managing director.

If the mayor refuses to change the course, to listen to it and refuse to conduct integrity, it may be time to seriously consider a recall. Let people decide whether this is the vision of leadership that you want to accept.

At least we have to demand:

• Complete transparency of public security data, personnel level and crime trends.

• Regular public forums and town halls in all districts.

• A city council that acts independently, not as a political chamber.

• A new, public obligation to recreate MPD with sensible recruitment and storage strategies – not PR -spin.

Montgomery is a city full of talent, creativity and promise. But promise alone will not protect our neighborhoods. It does not reduce theft. And there will certainly be no silence in the face of fear.

We no longer need to meet with closed doors. We need progress with open door in every neighborhood, for every family and for every voice that still has to be heard.

To be fair, the city has taken some visible steps in District 4, where long -related structures in West Montgomery were finally demolished. The removal of decorated shameful stains is both welcome and long overdue.

But let's be honest – there is only the beginning. Not the end.

So far, the economic revitalization, the creation of jobs and the developmental incentives that have been promised West Montgomery do not yet have to come about. Empty plots remain unaffected. Big plans are still ink on paper. And the hope that once moved in the residents now gives way to frustration.

Montgomery no longer needs band cuts. Real results are needed.

We need guidance that delivers, not just torn down.

We need brave governance, no guarded spin.

And above all, we need a town hall that appreciates people's voices – not only the strength behind closed doors.

Jason Davenport is a consultant for digital media and owner of the independent digital radio station XLunggeradio.com. It can be achieved [email protected].

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect politics or position of 1819 messages. To comment, please send an e -mail with your name and your contact information to the information [email protected].

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