Kay Ivey announces grant to fund Alabama Drug Task Force
Governor Kay Ivey announced $64,054 in grants on Tuesday to fund additional support for The Alabama Drug Task Force. The task force, which began operations in October of 2017, lead by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, was established by Ivey to provide a concerted legal effort to reduce the impact of drugs and to dismantle drug organizations in the state. “My administration is committed to supporting the strong efforts of ALEA and law enforcement agencies across the state to take drugs off the streets and put offenders in jail,” Ivey said. “I commend these brave officers, who are united behind a single cause, for their dedication to make Alabama a better and safer place to live.” The total task force is comprised of more than 90 officers from over 40 agencies forming seven regional multi-jurisdictional offices. This grant boost will provide funding for a variety of purposes, including equipment and overtime pay. The funds were made available by the U.S. Justice Department, and will be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). Within the first six months of operation, the task force made 146 arrests involving 312 drug cases, seized an assortment of illegal and prescription drugs and confiscated 145 firearms, according to ALEA. “The Alabama Drug Task Force is working tirelessly to improve the safety of communities across our state,” added Kenneth Boswell, ADECA Director. “ADECA is pleased to join Governor Ivey in supporting the efforts and operations of this task force.”
Heartfelt prayers and reactions to Rep. Allen Treadaway losing daughter
The daughter of Morris-Republican state Rep. Allen Treadaway was killed in an early morning wreck on Sunday near Good Hope, Ala. according to a release from Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon. Kelsey Marie Treadaway, 31, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident following an accident where she was struck from behind by another vehicle. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said she was not wearing her seatbelt. Treadaway was the volleyball coach at Mortimer Jordan High School, where she graduated from in 2004.Shawn Maze, the school’s softball coach, was also in the vehicle and sustained injuries from the crash. Here’s what folks across the state are saying in response to the horrific accident: Alabama Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon: The Alabama House of Representatives is an elected body that has different political views and ideas. But we are respectful and mindful of each other’s personal needs and concerns. We come together to pray for each other and support each other in times of tragedy and crisis. Right now our thoughts and prayers are with Allen, his wife Susan and their family. May God comfort them and give them the strength to endure during this time of sorrow. Jefferson County Board of Education: We are deeply saddened by the loss of an outstanding teacher, coach, and role model in our district. Kelsey Treadaway was a graduate of Mortimer Jordan High School in 2004. Treadway was an incredibly dedicated PE teacher, volleyball coach, and basketball coach. She began her career with JEFCOED at Clay-Chalkville High School in 2010 before returning to her alma mater in 2012. Kelsey Treadaway will be missed by the Mortimer Jordan community as well as our Jefferson County family. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and students. Gov. Kay Ivey (via Twitter): Was sorry to hear of the sudden passing of the daughter of Rep. Allen Treadaway. My thoughts & prayers are with their family, friends and the high school students she taught. I know she will be greatly missed. February 25, 2018 Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (via Twitter): I want to extend my deepest condolences to Rep. Treadaway, whose daughter was killed in a car wreck this morning. Please keep Allen and his family in your prayers. February 25, 2018 State Rep. Danny Garrett (via Twitter): Please pray for my friend and colleague, Rep.Allen Treadaway, whose daughter died this morning as the result of a traffic accident. Allen and his family need your prayers and the comfort of all their friends. February 26, 2018
Alabama Senate approves General Fund budget, prison funding boost
The Alabama Senate on Tuesday passed a $2 billion FY19 General Fund budget. Senators voted 26 to 2 for the budget that appropriates funds for functions of government, debt service, and capital outlay for fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. Answering Gov. Kay Ivey‘s January request, the budget allocates a $3.2 million increase to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to fund a new class of 30 state troopers. It also provides an $8 million increase for the Department of Mental Health, as well a a $4.7 million increase for the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). “This budget protects the taxpayers of Alabama, while ensuring that the core functions of state government are adequately funded,” said Montrose-Republican and the bill’s sponsor, State Senator Trip Pittman, Chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation Budget Committee. “We have prioritized targeted increases for state troopers, prisons, and the Department of Public Health, and level-funded nearly every other state department and agency.” The spending plan also sends an additional $51 million to the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC). The allocation of funds follow U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruling last year to a federal lawsuit, which declared Alabama’s prison system has failed to provide mental health care to the state’s prison population and is in violation of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. “Given the severity and urgency of the need for mental-health care explained in this opinion, the proposed relief must be both immediate and long term,”U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson wrote in his 302-page decision. Anniston-Republican and Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh said it’s a good budget that lives within Alabama’s fiscal means without raising taxes. “This is a good general fund budget, we were able to fully fund state agencies, hire new state troopers, provide much needed money to address mental health in our prisons, and pay back debt to the Alabama Trust Fund,” said Marsh. “Although the past few budgets have been lean, through conservative fiscal practices and living within our means we have been able to come out of those years and pass a robust budget without having ever raised new taxes on hard working Alabamians.” The bill now moves to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
ACLU files suit against State of Alabama in transgender license case
“Mr. Doe experiences distress whenever he sees the gender listed on his own license” states the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit against the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). The suit was filed on Tuesday and claims the State of Alabama restricts the rights of transgender people by not allowing them to choose which gender their state issued ID identifies them as. Alabama is one of only nine states that requires proof of reassignment surgery before the gender on the state issued ID can be changed. Both trans-rights activists and the ACLU consider this a restriction of the rights of those who identify as transgender who either select not to have the surgery, or are unable to afford it. The ACLU, and two Alabama trans women, Darcy Corbitt and Destiny Clark, believe that by changing this policy trans people will be safer, and more comfortable during everyday activities. “Corbitt was loudly called an “it” in a public area of a crowded driver license office” and “Clark avoids lawful activities that could lead her to have to show her license,” states the lawsuit. According to AL.com, “Eighty percent of the transgender people in Alabama don’t have identification that accurately reflects their gender.” Clark’s motivation behind the lawsuit is to clear a path for younger transgender’s, and to protect them from some of the embarrassment she has experienced. Corbitt believes that the state does not have the right to define their gender identities as their worth. Below is an ACLU video featuring Darcy and Destiny, two of the transgender plaintiffs who are going to court as part of the suit:
$1.5 million homeland security grants issued to Alabama first responders
Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced first responders from across the state will receive Homeland Security grants totaling $1.5 million. The grants will provide sheriffs’ offices, police departments, fire departments and other first responders the opportunity to acquire new equipment, as well as to conduct training in three categories: interoperable communications, critical infrastructure/soft target protection and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) response. “Homeland Security is hometown security,” Ivey said. “Our first responders are the first line of defense for Alabama. As such recent events as hurricanes that swept through the Southeast to the terrorist attack in New York City demonstrated, first responders must be trained and ready to respond to natural disasters and man-made events.” Forty-three first-responder organizations of varying sizes will receive the 2017 grants. The grants include funds for such equipment as a metal detector scanner for Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, camera system for Morgan County EMA, and radios for Camden Police Department, Bullock County Sheriff’s Office and Mount Weisner Fire Department. Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Hal Taylor said, “I want to thank Governor Ivey for her support of men and women who dedicate their own lives to protecting the lives and property of Alabama’s citizens. These grants will further enhance their capability to be ready when needed.” ALEA administers the FEMA State Homeland Security Grant Program in Alabama. All local first-responder agencies were eligible to apply for funding. Representatives from such first-responder professional associations as the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers, Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police, Alabama Fire Chiefs Association and the Alabama Sheriffs Association reviewed and scored grant applications.
Kay Ivey awards $1.3 million to establish new statewide Drug Task Force
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is convening a new drug task force that will operate throughout the state in cooperation with local and state law enforcement agencies. Ivey has awarded grants totaling $1.3 million to establish the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force. The grant funds will help provide overtime for officers, pay for travel and training for agents, operational expenses and needed equipment. The total task force will comprise more than 90 officers from more than 40 agencies and will operate alongside 25 narcotics agents from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency forming seven regional multi-jurisdictional offices. These units will share resources with a unified goal of reducing the impact of drugs and dismantling drug organizations in Alabama. “The illegal manufacturing, trafficking and sale of narcotics in Alabama is a problem for every part of the state and should be dealt with accordingly,” Ivey said. “Through combined efforts and statewide cooperation, this new task force will allow local police, sheriff’s offices and district attorneys to work together with state police and investigators to remove more of this dangerous element from our communities.” The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, recreation, energy conservation, water resources management, job training and career development. “I share Gov. Ivey’s commitment to combating the illegal drug trade in our state and am glad to lend ADECA’s support in establishing this new task force,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “I commend the participating law enforcement agencies for their commitment and hard work to make Alabama a safer place to live and work.” Each of the seven regional offices that make up the task force are receiving a $193,235 grant. These regional offices are listed below by administering agency and counties they cover: City of Atmore: Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties Butler County Commission: Barbour, Butler, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties Marengo County Commission: Bibb, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox counties Chambers County Commission: Autauga, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Russell and Tallapoosa counties. Winston County Commission: Colbert, Fayette, Franklin, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion, Walker and Winston counties City of Cullman: Blount, Cherokee, Cullman, Dekalb, Etowah, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and Morgan counties Randolph County Commission: Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Jefferson, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair and Talladega counties
ALEA offers Labor Day weekend safety tips
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) will be out in force this Labor Day weekend, on the lookout for those breaking the law and putting others in danger, as Alabamians head outside for summer’s unofficial grand finale. The ALEA is anticipating a surge of late-summer travel over the long weekend with heavier-than-usual traffic on Alabama’s roadways and waterways. “Safety is one of our top priorities throughout the year, but it’s especially important during extended holiday weekends, when so many want to enjoy one last seasonal road trip to the lake, beach or other warm-weather attraction,” Alabama’s Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor said in a statement. During Labor Day weekend, which runs from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, to midnight Monday, Sept. 4, Troopers in ALEA’s Highway Patrol and Marine Patrol Divisions will step up patrol and enforcement efforts across the state to promote safety and work to prevent crashes, injuries and deaths. Troopers will conduct sobriety checks throughout the weekend, in an effort to remove impaired individuals from behind the wheels of vehicles and boats, as part of the state’s participation in the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” safety campaign. Taylor has offered five tips he’s dubbed, “Five to Stay Alive,” for all traveling through Alabama this Labor Day weekend: Avoid driving and/or boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are impaired, do not drive or operate a boat. Designate a sober driver in advance, call a cab, use public transportation or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely. Simply obey the law. Avoid speeding, following too closely and other dangerous – sometimes deadly – behavior on Alabama’s roadways and waterways. Buckle up – no matter how short your trip. Ensure all of the vehicle’s occupants are buckled up (or using a child restraint system) and those on your boat are using or have access to personal flotation device (PFDs are required at all times for ages 8 and younger.) Avoid the water during inclement weather, particularly when it includes thunder and lightning. Be even more cautious when traveling through construction zones.
Kay Ivey elevates two acting cabinet agency heads to permanent roles at ALEA, Conservation Dept.
Governor Kay Ivey on Friday announced she has elevated Hal Taylor and Chris Blankenship from their roles as acting cabinet agency heads to permanent roles. Taylor is the permanent Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and Blankenship is now the permanent Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “Since I appointed Chris Blankenship as Acting Conservation Commissioner and Hal Taylor as Acting ALEA Secretary, both men have proven beyond any doubt their abilities to effectively lead their respective agencies,” Ivey said in a news release. “I am proud to appoint both men to serve permanently in their particular roles.” Taylor had been acting secretary of ALEA since April 12, when he replaced Stan Stabler, a Bentley-era appointee who Ivey required to resign upon taking office. Prior to that he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the State Bureau of Investigations and ALEA Chief of Staff beginning in 2014. Before that, Taylor worked for the ABC Board going back to 1992. There he held multiple positions, including executive security and Assistant Director of the Enforcement Division. “Alabama’s law enforcement efforts must be handled with precision and integrity; Hal Taylor’s leadership ensures that happens. Hal is ably leading the men and women who serve our state as part of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and I am thankful for his continued efforts,” Ivey commented. Blakenship was appointed as Acting Conservation Commissioner a little over two months ago on June 1. Before that, he served as the Deputy Commissioner and as Director of DCNR Marine Resources Division from 2011 to 2017. He has worked at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources since 1994 when he was hired as a Conservation Enforcement Officer. “From effectively working to extend the Red Snapper season, to protecting Alabama’s natural resources, Chris Blankenship has made it clear he can lead the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources long-term,” Ivey added. “I am proud to have Chris as part of my team.” Both Blankenship and Taylor were officially sworn in on Friday morning in a private ceremony at the State Capitol in Montgomery.
Alabama driver license system closed again for computer issues
For the second day in a row, Alabama has shut down its system for issuing driver licenses. On Tuesday, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) officials confirmed all ALEA-run Driver License Examining Offices, probate and license commissioners offices, and online services have been closed again for ongoing computer issues. According to ALEA, a software update during the weekend has caused database issues. The vendor is working on the problem and will have the system up and running as soon as possible. Driver License has shut down issuance again. Software update during weekend has caused database issues, but vendor is working on problem — Ala Law Enforcement (@ALLAWENF) July 18, 2017 Monday the system was down statewide for approximately two hours.
New Alabama AMBER Alert criteria goes into effect following Bessemer incident
Following an incident on Wednesday in Bessemer, Gov. Kay Ivey asked acting Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Secretary Hal Taylor to revise Alabama’s AMBER Alert guidelines. On Wednesday, a vehicle was stolen with a 19-month-old child in it at a gas station in Bessemer, Ala. Nearly two hours later the child had yet to be found and the Bessemer police requested the AALEA issue an AMBER Alert for the child. Based on the criteria in place at that time, the incident did not meet the previously adopted requirements for an AMBER Alert to be issued. As a result, Ivey announced Friday the finding of an “abduction” shall no longer be required for an AMBER Alert to be issued. Because of Ivey’s involvement, Alabama’s policy will mirror that of the the United States Department of Justice’s recommended criteria for issuing AMBER Alerts, and will result in more AMBER Alerts being issued in the state. “We need to protect the children of our state. Though we pray that an AMBER Alert is never needed, I asked Secretary Taylor to broaden the scope of our AMBER Alert requirements to safeguard as many children as possible,” Ivey said in a news release. “This change today ensures that we are keeping the public better informed. AMBER Alerts give all Alabamians the opportunity to be involved in caring for our most vulnerable asset, our children.” The new guidelines immediately went into effect. “It is the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s goal to rescue abducted and missing children. By expanding our criteria for issuing an AMBER alert, we will further that goal, and hopefully, make sure that as many vulnerable children as possible are protected from those whom would do them harm,” Taylor added. “Due to ongoing investigations, we may not always release why an alert may or may not be issued, but we will ensure that all cases are evaluated against this new standard.”
Kay Ivey accepts Stan Stabler’s resignation, installs Hal Taylor as Acting Secretary of ALEA
The Office of the Governor announced Wednesday newly sworn-in Gov. Kay Ivey has accepted the resignation of Stan Stabler, who replaced Spencer Collier as Secretary of Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) in March 2016. Stabler, along with the 21 agency leaders of former Gov. Robert Bentley‘s cabinet, were required to submit letters of resignation by Ivey on Tuesday. Following Stabler’s resignation, Ivey named Hal Taylor as Acting Secretary of the ALEA. “Hal Taylor is a man of the utmost integrity who I trust during this time of transition to help in my vision of improving Alabama’s image,” stated Ivey. “I also thank the hundreds of men and women in our state law enforcement ranks who work every day to protect us.” Having most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the State Bureau of Investigations and ALEA Chief of Staff beginning in 2014, Taylor had previously worked for the ABC Board going back to 1992. There he held multiple positions, including executive security and then assistant director of the Enforcement Division. “Governor Ivey has a significant task to steady the ship of state, and I’m thankful she has entrusted me with the duty of leading our state law enforcement agency,” weighed-in Taylor. “Our troopers, SBI investigators, support staff, and others at ALEA are top-notch, and it’s an honor to work with them in this new capacity.” Ivey intends to conduct a thorough search for a permanent ALEA Secretary.
House committee continues work on Alabama driver’s license issues
Although the state of Alabama’s 2017 Legislative session is still more than a month away, some Alabama lawmakers have been working hard during their down-time to solve the state’s many issues surrounding drivers licenses. Formed after 31 rural Drivers License offices were shuttered in 2015 due to funding problems, the House Interim Committee on Driver’s License Review is endeavoring to reduce wait times and find new methods for making driver’s license offices more accessible to all Alabamians. Since it was established by a House Resolution co-sponsored by 56 Republican members, the committee has held meetings across the state. The importance of the committee’s work was underscored by a Wednesday announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which concluded proposed closures and service reductions at certain driver’s license offices in the state would underserve the African-American community and violate the Civil Rights Act. The DOT and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) have thus reached an agreement to ensure all Alabamians have access to driver’s licensing programs. The committee will continue to work to further improve the driver’s licensing process. “Our focus is to find ways to increase customer service for Alabama taxpayers trying to get a driver license,” said Committee Chair Fairview-Republican, state Rep. Randall Shedd. “It is unacceptable that individuals are having to take time off of work, stand in line for hours, and in some cases still not receive service. We are serious about solving this problem.” Additionally, the committee has discussed changing requirements to allow probate judge offices to take on clerical activities such as adding veterans, vessels, and other routine classification changes to driver’s licenses instead of driver’s license offices. This adjustment would free up the time spent by license office employees on these minor adjustments and could also eliminate individuals having to wait all day for a routine change. Rural Alabama is well represented with two officers of the House Rural Caucus serving on the committee, Hayden-Republican, state Rep. David Standridge chairs the Rural Caucus and Shedd serves as Treasurer. “The Rural Caucus recognized this as a problem from the beginning. People in rural Alabama should have access to state services without regard to their income level or where they live,” Standridge expalined. “As a member of this committee, I support Chairman Shedd in his efforts to make our driver’s license offices more accessible and efficient.” The House Interim Committee on Driver’s License Review is scheduled to meet again next week on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 410 of the Alabama Statehouse. The committee is required to report its findings and submit suggestions to the House of Representatives no later than the tenth legislative day of the 2017 regular session. The following individuals serve on the committee: Bessemer-Democrat, state Rep. Louise Alexander Newville-Democrat, state Rep. Dexter Grimsley Killen-Republican, state Rep. Phillip Pettus Hayden-Republican, state Rep. David Standridge Mobile-Republican, state Rep. Margie Wilcox
