'Makes them think twice': With more than 3 weeks without a Birmingham homicide, police give update on crime plan

Video above: A look at the full news conferenceBirmingham Interim Police Chief Michael Pickett held a news conference Monday to update how a recent initiative to reduce gun violence is working.From January to March 9th interim police chief Michael Pickett says officers have been cracking down on crime, which may be leading to a near 30-percent decline in homicides compared to this time last year.“It's been over three weeks since we've had a homicide,” Pickett said.In a matter of weeks, Pickett says a special enforcement team confiscated 80 guns, several of them stolen and some with Glock switch conversion devices.This team is credited with arresting 446 people charging with them felonies or misdemeanors.Pickett tells WVTM 13 some are new, but many are repeat offenders who got out on bond or weren't required to sit in jail for a long time. “That's one of the key points is why we want to partner with our federal partners as well because we understand with our legal system, our jails, our prisons they have certain capacities. We have to be mindful of that," Pickett said.Pickett says officers are trying to get violent offenders off the streets too. They've arrested 32 people, charging nine with capital murder, seven with murder, nine with attempted murder, three with felony assault, four with robbery.“We've got four homicides we haven't put somebody in jail on, so far, but we're working on that,” Pickett said.Pickett says he's been asking a lot of from detective to the special enforcement teams, patrol teams, but they're determined to get the work done. “Some of them are working overtime. Some of them are researching things at home when they should be focused on family. They are really enthusiastic about fighting crime because we are seeing results,” Pickett said.>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from WVTM 13The department added an eighth part of the plan that was previously mentioned, but now a part of the strategy: police athletic teams.This is a part of the goal to foster mutual respect with the community. There is a baseball game at Cooper Green Park on March 15 to kick off the initiative. "When criminals see that they will be held accountable and they won't be able to commit a crime...I think it makes them think twice before they choose to commit a crime," Pickett said on Monday. "So I think that's having an impact."A look at the eight-part plan and updates below: Crime Suppression Unit and Tactical DivisionThe goal is to seek out the people shooting using intel from police, precinct commanders, ShotSpotter data and crime analysts.From January to March 9, there have been 446 arrests, according to police. Five of these arrests were for altered firearms like Glock switches.Video below: Officials work to ban Glock switchesCrime Reduction TeamThe team will work to arrest violent offenders quickly."At this time, our city is down 27 percent in homicides as it relates to this time last year," Pickett said on Monday.There is currently a 75 percent clearance rate in homicides for 2025.Work with federal partners and Jefferson County Sheriff's OfficePickett said there has been and continues to be a strong relationship with the surrounding agencies and federal agencies. Stolen Vehicles Task ForcePickett said stolen vehicles are a tool commonly used by suspects during crimes. This task force would focus on disrupting what is being used in the crimes.Work with ATF on illegal gun traffickingThere have been 13 stolen firearms removed from the area, police said. Watch ATF training that shows media how officers decide when to use forceUtility captains on evening shiftsA majority of activity happens during the evening shifts, which is also when there is less leadership at the precincts, Pickett said. By having captains on hand, this will allow for more leadership and accountability during busy time periods.There are two newly-promoted captains that will start on March 26: Timothy Bell and Joshua Osborne.Discharging unit The goal for this unit would be to catch suspects before people are killed. If someone shoots into a vehicle and no one is killed, the team would work to arrest the person before a life is taken.There have been nine arrests and 27 warrants, police said.Watch the initial announcement of the plan below: