Sewell announces $850,000 to improve security at Miles College

October 4, 2024 - Fairfield, AL – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) was joined by Miles College President Dr. Bobbie Knight to announce $850,000 in federal funding to improve public safety resources on the campus of Miles College and the surrounding community.

The funding will be used to increase safety lighting on campus, procure upgraded security cameras, invest in broadband-enabled security devices, and purchase new public safety vehicles.

This is part of the $13.1 million that Rep. Sewell secured in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal government funding package for local projects in Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

"As our Birmingham community continues to grapple with the horrific impacts of gun violence, there is no better time to ensure that our students, faculty, and staff are safe and secure on campus," Rep. Sewell said in a written statement. "The $850,000 that we secured will help Miles College procure additional lighting, security equipment, and vehicles to provide for the safety of the entire campus community. It will help the students here at Miles College focus on what matters most: learning, leading, getting involved, and building community."

"After the tragedy and deadly events that rattled our Birmingham community just a short time ago, the impact of violence and crime can be felt by nearly everyone. Far too often it is our students that bear the greatest burden," Sewell said. "We as elected officials must do all that we can at every level of government to break the cycle of violence and to keep our students safe."

"While there is no single solution to the issues of gun violence and crime, there are important steps to reduce the impact on our students," Rep. Sewell continued. "That begins with making sure that our schools get the resources that they need to provide for the safety and security of the students, faculty members and staff right here on campus and that is exactly what this funding will do today."

"With this $850,000 check Miles College will work to increase safety lighting on campus, install updated security cameras, invest in broadband enabled security devices and purchase new public safety vehicles," said Sewell. "These essential resources will help prevent crime and ensure quicker responses by first responders."

"One of our most solemn obligations as elected officials is to keep our students, our children, and our families safe," stated Sewell. "No student should ever be afraid to go to school or to get an education. With the help of this federal funding, the students right here at Miles College will be able to focus on what matters most: learning, leading, getting involved, and building community. With the investment and with the political courage of our elected officials such as the Biden – Harris Administration. I am honored to say that the first piece of bipartisan legislation on gun violence in 30 years: the bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris. I was the only member of Alabama's delegation to vote in favor of this important piece of legislation. It is because of this legislation that we have funding like the funding that we have today. I often say that our funding is a direct reflection of what we value. By providing money for Miles College we are demonstrating our commitment to the safety and security of our students and the entire campus community."

Highlighting the need for additional security on campus, political opponents of Rep. Sewell parked a large U-Haul van with a sign attacking the character of Sewell's brother who is employed by the College. The vehicle was abandoned on the street near the Miles Welcome Center where the press event was to have been held. Due to the seriousness of the situation and given that the perpetrators of this prank could still be running loose on campus someplace, the event was moved to the more secure Brown Hall and press, which had been invited to Friday's event, were barred from entering the building.

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