Steve Marshall addresses the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery about crime suppression unit

April 8, 2025 -MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) spoke to the Montgomery Kiwanis Club during National Crime Victims Week. Marshall also emphasized the work that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's (ALEA) Crime Suppression Unit is doing in association with the Montgomery Sheriff's Department.

Marshall was introduced by former Montgomery Mayr Todd Strange.

"I thought I would make you aware of a couple of issues," said Marshall. "This is National Crime Victims week." National Crime Victims Week was organized by people with "A vision for bringing victims in the same place."

Governor Kay Ivey (R) has appointed Azzie Oliver to be the new Montgomery County District Attorney.

"We have been friends a long time,". Marshall said of Oliver. "I think she will do a remarkable job."

"While (crime statistics) numbers matter, it is important to remember that every crime victim is somebody's son or daughter," said Marshall. "We have more of a broader perspective of what we are trying to do in the state."

"What goes on in Montgomery matters," said Marshall. "When people think about Alabama they are going to think of Montgomery. When people hear crime data from Montgomery that is not good that influences what they think about the state of Alabama and as we are trying to recruit industry for economic development that directly affects the state of Alabama."

Marshall said that as AG he has worked at, "Being able to articulate a vision for criminal justice."

Marshall said "I would like to share some overall stats."

In Montgomery since the crackdown on crime has begun there have been 318 arrests, 2,200 traffic stops, 784 arrest warrants served, stolen cars were recovered, there have been 84 pursuits that resulted in an arrests and served 12 outstanding warrants.

Marshall said that in one recent incident officers recovered 22 grams of methamphetamine as well as marijuana, cocaine, heroine, Glock pistols - one of them equipped with a Glock switch/ The arrested individuals, "Were already subjects of a federal investigation. This was the largest seizure of conversion devices in Montgomery."

Derrick Cunningham is the Sheriff of Montgomery County.

"The sheriff has the jurisdiction throughout the county," Marshall said. "It is not normal," for the Sheriff of a County to patrol inside of city limits with a police department. "He was not elected to make Montgomery safe. It was not part of the sheriff's job. Does a remarkable job."

Marshall said that Governor Kay Ivey (R) is committed to combating crime in the City of Montgomery.

"ALEA under the direction of Hal Taylor has devoted resources to that," in the crime suppression unit that the Governor created in association with Marshall. "She gave Secretary Taylor a green light to get engaged in what goes on in Montgomery."

"Many of you have seen the helicopters flying overhead," said Marshall. "Being able to look up and see those helicopters makes people feel safer."

Marshall explained that the crime suppression unit working with the Montgomery Sheriff's Department. And the Montgomery Police Department have set up a series of roadblocks in the city."

Marshall said that he "values the ability they (the Montgomery Police) have shared with us. I am grateful for the fact that they are willing to do it. We don't want to tax an already overtaxed DA's office."

Marshall pledged to share the services of the AG's office to prosecute these criminal cases/

"We are going to do our part in making it happen," said Marshall.

"The numbers are trending in the right direction," due to the joint state, county, and city focus on fighting crime. Marshall said that in addition to the arrests that there are, "Intangible results of what we are doing. There is an appreciation from the community."

Marshalls said that one women prepared, "Cookies - chocolate chip - and they were real good," for the AG's office and the officers for what they are doing. "I had a woman call me and say that she feels safer in her home."

Marshall said that he wants people to feel safer not just in their homes; but, "Also at the store and at church."

Marshall said that the big Glock switches arrest was due to a person coming forward to tip off the police.

"That came about because somebody in that community said I don't want this to happen," said Marshall. "We had 24 hour surveillance and helicopters flying overhead," the suspects abode.

Marshall also said that he is looking at the situation in Birmingham.

"This legislative session has had a little bit of a renewed focus on law enforcement," Marshall said. "We have had some good discussions."

Marshall was optimistic that the Legislature will pass, "Targeted bills that will help communities like Montgomery."

"We are still dealing with the residual effects of COVID," said Marshall. "We weren't having jury trials which created a backlog. There are 140 people sitting in Montgomery awaiting jury trials for murder. That is not acceptable."

Marshall applauded legislation allowing the Chief Justice appoint judges to go and address the backlog as "A way for us to deal with that. We presented a plan to deal with this. It gives us another tool to move cases through the system."

"We had record violent crime in Birmingham last year," said Marshall. "The trial for the murderer of Anaiah Blanchard is still out there pending. We have to go back and retrial the murderer of (Lowndes County Sheriff)Big John."

Marshall said that he has spent much of the last four years, "Pushing back against the Biden administration. Part of that is protecting Alabama laws. Part of that is pushing back on bad policies out of Washington."

Marshall expressed optimism that the Trump administration will bring positive change for the state.

Marshall applauded, "The Supreme Court decision last night related to the violent gang members from Venezuela."

"I am the Attorney General and honestly I was not aware of the Alien Enemies Act," Marshall said but that it has been "Useful in securing our borders."

Marshall said that there has been a "95% drop" in illegal border crossing since President Trump took over.

"People criticize President Trump for all the Eos (executive orders), but that is because the Biden administration was doing the same thing," Marshall said. "My message to Congress is to do your job."

Marshall is term limited from running for a third consecutive term as attorney general. There is a great deal of speculation in political circles about what Marshall will do next. There are rumors that if Tommy Tuberville runs for Governor; that Marshall will enter the race for the open Senate seat.

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