Operation Crackdown
Operation Crackdown is a Birmingham Police Department initiative to suppress the practice of celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve.
2008/2009
Two people died after being struck by bullets shot into the air.
2009/2010
During the 12 hour period beginning at 6:00 PM on December 31, 2009 the department received 676 reports of gunfire from the public and 420 reports from its ShotSpotter gunfire detection equipment. In addition 749 calls were received relating to fireworks.
The operation resulted in 43 arrests and 34 weapons seized. 11 of the arrests were for illegal discharge of a firearm. Two were for felony possession of a firearm and nine for other felonies. The remaining arrests were for misdemeanors, including two curfew violations. No arrests were made for discharging fireworks.
2010/2011
In 2010, the department fielded 393 reports of gunfire from the public and 214 incidents recorded by ShotSpotter between 7:00 PM and 3:00 AM. Five people were arrested and 26 weapons were seized. No injuries were reported.
2011/2012
In 2011, the department responded to 829 telephoned reports and 1,612 incidents recorded by ShotSpotter between 7:00 PM and 2:00 AM. Nine people were arrested by officers assigned to the operation, one of which brought a felony charge. Patrol officers made another 10 arrests and seized 40 firearms.
No injuries were reported, but a Birmingham Police vehicle was struck by gunfire in Roosevelt City.
2012/2013
Police made 13 arrests while responding to 631 citizen reports of gunfire and 560 reports from ShotSpotter between 7:30 PM and 3:00 AM.
2013/2014
Police made 13 arrests on 24 charges (13 felonies) and seized 10 firearms while reporting to 803 calls, including 488 reports of gunfire. Three of the seized guns were stolen.
References
- Tomberlin, Michael (January 1, 2010) "'Operation Crack-Down' nets 43 arrests on New Year's Eve." The Birmingham News
- Stock, Erin (January 1, 2010) "Birmingham police fielded more than 2,500 calls on New Year's Eve." The Birmingham News
- Debro, Anita (January 1, 2011) "Birmingham police arrest five for New Year's gunfire, seize 26 weapons during Operation Crackdown." The Birmingham News
- Hubbard, Russell (December 31, 2011) "Birmingham Police make arrests, seize guns in Operation Crackdown." The Birmingham News
- Faulk, Kent (January 1, 2012) "Birmingham police respond to 2,441 reports of fireworks and celebratory gunfire." The Birmingham News
- Gray, Jeremy (January 1, 2013) "Birmingham police New Year's Eve operation: 13 arrests, 10 guns seized, 488 gunfire calls." The Birmingham News