On Monday, February 24, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Secretary Hal Taylor, was joined by Attorney General Steve Marshall, Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Alabama, Tyra Cunningham, Montgomery District Attorney Azzie Oliver, Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham and Montgomery Police Chief James Graboys, to provide an update regarding the Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit during a press conference held in the Old House Chamber of the Alabama State Capitol.
Officers with the MACS Unit have conducted just under 100 details since June 24, 2024. During these details, Officers have executed 2,300 traffic stops, served 674 outstanding arrest warrants, which range from Failure to Appear for traffic offenses to Capital Murder, arrested 266 individuals on various charges, recovered 51 stolen vehicles, seized 195 firearms, and they have seized a total of 103 machine gun conversion devices, known as “switches.”
“The efforts of MACS are truly commendable, and the results speak for themselves,” ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Director Chris Inabinett said. “Today, we not only stand in unity with our fellow law enforcement officers, but also the prosecutors who work to ensure that justice is served by holding the criminals accountable involved in these cases.”
The MACS Unit has worked a total of 94 days to remove illegal weapons, drugs and violent criminals from the streets of Montgomery. Recently, an investigation led to the arrest of three individuals connected to multiple armed carjackings. Two of the individuals were also charged with Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Pistol.
Through collaboration and cooperation, MACS Officers are also able to link various crime scenes that involve firearms together. Officers utilize ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which is a national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.
“I am extremely grateful for the partnership that helped create MACS, however, as law enforcement officers our work is never done,” Secretary Taylor said. “Clearly, today marks a milestone for the Unit, however, we believe this is just the beginning for units similar to this one. With the continued support from Governor Ivey and the Alabama Legislature, we can provide the same level of public safety and crime prevention across the entire state.”
