News & Updates
Huntsville Reports Crime Decrease in 2020
January 29, 2021
The Huntsville Police Department is reporting a significant decrease in crime across the City in 2020. Preliminary reports indicate homicides dropped 26%, burglaries 19%, automotive break-ins 11%, and robberies 31%. The lower rates contradict others within the region reporting an increase in violent offenses last year. Nationally, cities of a similar size to Huntsville didn’t see the overall drop in crime, according to FBI data currently available. Law enforcement analysts are examining [ more ]
Read MoreFederal grant to help Huntsville citizens with pandemic-related expenses
January 28, 2021
Huntsville citizens who have fallen behind on rent or utility payments during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could get some relief, thanks to a $6 million federal grant. The City Council approved the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance grant at its January 28 meeting, though distribution details are still being finalized. Scott Erwin, Huntsville’s community development manager, said the funds should be a welcome relief to those in need. “Those who have been financially [ more ]
Read MoreSparkman Drive Shooting Arrests
January 27, 2021
Huntsville Police have arrested two suspects for Capital Murder following a shooting earlier this month on Sparkman Drive near Mountain Park Circle. 18-year-old Terrell Otey and 19-year-old Sorrel Gill are both charged with Capital Murder in the shooting death of 21-year-old Mekhi Douglas. Huntsville Police received a call about a shooting at Sparkman Drive and Mountain Park Circle on Saturday, January 9, 2021. When officers arrived, they found Douglas lying in the [ more ]
Read MoreHuntsville City Council reaffirms commitment to education
January 26, 2021
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and the Huntsville City Council reaffirmed their commitment to education Tuesday, January 26, during a joint work session with Huntsville City Schools. “We’re a city of partners,” said Council President Jennie Robinson, who opened the meeting. Both sides touted the benefits of that partnership during the meeting, which also included current and future snapshots of residential and business growth. Another discussion focused on how that growth will impact [ more ]
Read MoreHuntsville Business License renewals due Monday, Feb. 1
January 25, 2021
The deadline for Huntsville businesses to renew operating licenses for 2021 has been extended to Monday, February 1. To facilitate this process during the pandemic, the Clerk-Treasurer’s office updated its online permitting system to allow new and renewing businesses to apply digitally. “We have many thousands of businesses in the process of renewing licenses this month, and we want their representatives and our licensing staff to be safe,” said Ken Benion, [ more ]
Read MoreNADTF Investigations
January 22, 2021
This week agents with the North Alabama Drug Task Force (NADTF) seized illegal drugs and guns off the streets in North Alabama. During the course of several drug investigations, agents seized more than 20 pounds of marijuana, 2.7 pounds of methamphetamine, 79 grams of cocaine, 35 grams of heroin, 21 grams of MDMA, 19 grams of fentanyl, and 7 bottles of steroids. The estimated total street value of all these drugs [ more ]
Read MoreInternal Review Findings
January 22, 2021
The Huntsville Police Department recently convened a two-day Incident Review Board regarding an officer involved shooting on November 16. This board is chaired by Huntsville Police Captains and attended by Lawyers from the City Legal Department, the District Attorney’s office and members of the Huntsville Police Citizens Advisory Board. The function of the IRB is to review the actions of HPD personnel after a shooting or any incident involving use [ more ]
Read MoreHPD Arrest
January 22, 2021
Huntsville Police along with the U.S. Marshal Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force and Talladega Sheriff’s Department arrested Twenty-one yr old Lemond Lawerance Burns. He was arrested in Vestavia Hills, Al and transported to the Madison County Jail. He is charged with Capital Murder. The arrest stems from the murder of Dallis Patrick Ryan Wolfe 22 yrs old that occurred at 4955 Century Street on January 18, 2021. The shooting [ more ]
Read MoreHuntsville Animal Services celebrates record live release rate, expansion
January 21, 2021
HUNTSVILLE, AL – The City of Huntsville is pleased to announce that Animal Services posted a record 95% live release rate in 2020, despite unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19. The number represents the Shelter’s success in placing homeless pets with families through adoptions, rescue groups and fosters and in reuniting lost animals with their owners. Overall intake was also down about 1,000 animals for the year. “We are so grateful to our [ more ]
Read MoreSouth Huntsville Optimist Club donates $25,000 to City’s Special Populations Program
January 15, 2021
The City of Huntsville received a generous $25,000 check from the South Huntsville Optimist Club to support its Special Populations program. Managed by Huntsville Parks & Recreation, the program provides activities for individuals with special needs at the Buddy Bryant Youth Center near Optimist Park and the recreation center. “Part of our charter is patriotism and to help youth, and we found a project to fit both,” said Dennis Anderson, a [ more ]
Read More