Tuscaloosa Leaders Hosting Roundtable To Address Recent Violence

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A recent and noticeable uptick in violence has prompted Tuscaloosa leaders to fast-track a dialogue toward addressing the criminal element in the community.

Public Safety Chairwoman & Councilor Raevan Howard, Council President Kip Tyner and Mayor Walt Maddox will lead a round table discussion with the City Council, Tuscaloosa Police Department and other leader's Tuesday’s pre-council meeting, which will be reconvened at 4 p.m.

Other the last two months, Patch has reported on the spike in shootings and violent crimes, including a rise in vehicular incidents near entertainment districts that have resulted in several injuries.

Violence over the last month

• (June 12) 1 Dead, 3 Injured In Pair Of Overnight Shootings In Tuscaloosa
• (May 30) Man Killed In Shooting At Legacy At Country Club Apartments
• (May 30) Suspect Sought After Fatal Shooting At Snow Hinton Park
• (May 30) Pedestrian Seriously Injured In Hit-And-Run On Greensboro Avenue

Addressing crime and violence have been a consistent talking points, even during the coronavirus pandemic, and Howard said news of more gun violence in her district is "quite disturbing."

Mentioning the Friday shooting death of 19-year-old Versaun Leonard in the 3200 block of Willow Lane, Howard referred to the incident as "another senseless murder of a young man at the hands of someone committing a crime by using a gun."

An arrest has since been made in that case — a woman who is not a Tuscaloosa resident — which further underscores previous concerns of certain spots in Tuscaloosa attracting criminal elements from around the region.

"There is no easy answer to gun violence that is wreaking havoc on communities throughout the nation," she added. "We must address this problem from the top down. There has to be federal, state and local legislation that must address gun control. We must discount the notion that the availability and easy access to guns will reduce crime in our community."

Maddox said while the city is all-in with its efforts to fight crime and promote safety, with the approach already being crafted through the recently implemented Project Unity, more will need to be done.

Project Unity was rolled out last August, as Patch previously reported, which aims to address and improve education, housing and neighborhood revitalization, economic and workforce development, youth sports and recreation, but most importantly, community policing.

Click here to read the full Project Unity proposal.

"Faith-based, social service and community agencies can target our most vulnerable youth and communities," Maddox said. "Individuals who know something bad is going to happen must say something. We all share a responsibility moving forward so let’s get to work."

Also read: Summer In The Square Test Concept Aims To Promote Safety In Downtown Tuscaloosa.

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