Mayor Woodfin on Tuesday updated the Birmingham City Council on the citys public-safety response, saying the administration is combining enforcement, intervention and community-based programs to reduce violence.

The mayor said the city is implementing a focused-deterrent strategy with the Birmingham Police Department and local partners; Chief Pickett and BPD leadership have been involved since January. "Theres an actual carrot side to that as well as far as the resource piece of giving people an opportunity to get out of that street life," Woodfin said, describing job and reentry supports that would accompany targeted policing.

The mayor also discussed a hospital-based violence-intervention program. He said a memorandum of understanding for placing violence interrupters in emergency departments is under legal review and training for hospital interrupters was scheduled to begin the week of March 17. City staff said the training timetable is in progress while the MOU is reviewed.

Woodfin highlighted the citys Special Enforcement Team (SET), created under the Police Departments special operations bureau and led by Deputy Chief Michael Pickett. He provided the teams activity totals since Jan. 1: 521 overall arrests, including 330 felonies and 91 misdemeanors; 14 guns seized (of which the mayor said 17 were reported stolen and 10 were found altered); and 16 stolen vehicles recovered. "When you wanna track the trend of crimes ... stolen vehicles, either retrieving them or preventing them from happening, definitely reduces gun violence in the short and long term," Woodfin said.

On gun policy, Woodfin noted a state bill banning conversion devices known as "Glock switches" has passed both chambers and will require reconciliation before reaching the governor. He said the measure, once signed, would take effect immediately and give local prosecutors and judges additional enforcement tools. "Even if you don't have the gun ... simple possession of it, you're in violation of the state law," the mayor said.

Woodfin said city officials also are expanding street outreach, launching a community-violence-prevention engagement form and meeting with grassroots groups including the Magic City Peace Collective. He announced community feedback sessions on a violence reduction strategic plan; the mayor said one session was scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Birmingham CrossPlex with a virtual option available at birminghamal.gov/csi.

Why it matters: the mayor framed the work as combining enforcement results with community and social-service investments, and he presented recent enforcement numbers to demonstrate near-term progress while the city expands prevention and hospital-based efforts.

What to watch next: city staff said the hospital MOU must clear legal review and that training is already underway; the council and public were directed to upcoming community feedback sessions and future program updates.