On Friday, Sept. 20 the Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit provided an update on the team’s progress and overall impact on crime in and around the Capital City.
Since MACS inception on June 24, 2024, the Unit has conducted 1,300 traffic stops, served 347 outstanding arrest warrants, which range from Failure to Appear for traffic offenses to Capital Murder, arrested 127 individuals on various charges, recovered 16 stolen vehicles and seized 83 firearms, with 17 of those having machine gun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches.” Additionally, MACS made 30 drug seizures, including one significant seizure of Fentanyl on Thursday, Aug. 15. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) website, the amount of Fentanyl recovered from this one seizure was enough to kill over 5,000 individuals.
ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Director Chris Inabinett said, “MACS is doing exactly what it was intended to do, which is to provide an immediate and direct impact on the criminal element, who is responsible for the senseless violent crime here in Montgomery. Also, to provide pro-active law enforcement assistance to the Montgomery Police Department. I could not be prouder of the efforts put forth by the dedicated men and women who are assigned to the MACS Unit.”
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor agreed and said, “The team’s efforts have resulted in a thousand traffic stops, numerous arrests, significant seizures, and all their actions have demonstrated the Unit’s effectiveness in combating crime and enhancing public safety. The dedication, service and perseverance of the officers from all our partner agencies is truly commendable. I would like to thank all of our local, state and federal partners, as well as Governor Ivey and the Alabama Legislature for their support and the resources we are able to provide as a state agency. Together, we are making a difference and will continue to actively work to protect the citizens and visitors of Montgomery and the surrounding areas.”
Attorney General Steve Marshall said, “This mission of our partnership is simple—to make Montgomery a safer place to live and work. Citizens living in high crime areas need to see a responsive and robust law enforcement presence and that’s what we aim to give them. The criminal element in Montgomery will soon realize that we aren’t playing around.”
"I am very appreciative and proud of the accomplishments of the MACS Team. The Montgomery Police Department SWAT and Gang Units working in conjunction and coordination with our partners from ALEA, MCSO and the Attorney General's Office have had increasingly impressive results that I believe are having positive impacts upon our area,” said Montgomery Interim Chief of Police James Graboys. “I want to thank Mayor Steven Reed, Secretary Hal Taylor, Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, and Attorney General Steve Marshall, for everything that they have done in making this team and effort a reality. The successes of the MACS Team demonstrate the true strength of what we can accomplish when we are unified in working towards a common goal.”
Assistant Chief Deputy of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Wesley Richerson said, “The MACS Unit has demonstrated the need for more proactive law enforcement in our community. Their efforts are commendable, and the results speak for themselves. We want to thank the men and women of the MACS Unit for their professionalism and tenacity in targeting and apprehending violent offenders in Montgomery County. Sheriff Cunningham and the entire staff of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office are committed to this multi-jurisdictional partnership with the primary goal of reducing crime and ensuring public safety in Montgomery County.”
In addition to the joint effort of MACS to reduce violent crime, ALEA’s Highway Patrol, Capitol Patrol and Motor Enforcement Unit have developed high-visibility details to assist the Montgomery Police Department with traffic enforcement and crash investigations within the city limits, specifically on Interstate 65 and Interstate 85. In just a four-day period, ALEA’s Motor Enforcement Unit issued 447 citations and 68 warnings for various traffic violations. Troopers assigned to ALEA’s Capitol Patrol and Highway Patrol have responded and investigated a total of 145 traffic crashes within the city limits.
ALEA’s Department of Public Safety Director, Colonel Jonathan Archer said, “We are proud to support MACS and our fellow partners by assisting with traffic enforcement and enhancing public safety on the roadways. Specifically, ALEA Troopers on Motorcycles are able to conduct numerous traffic stops in a short amount of time as motorcycles are highly maneuverable and usually not as easily spotted by violators. It is clear that MACS is making a difference regarding violent crime, we also pledge to make the same difference on our roadways.”
