$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.”
Robert Bentley paramour Rebekah Mason behind effort to shut DMV offices in black counties, new report shows
Rebekah Mason, Gov. Robert Bentley’s former top adviser and illicit lover, pushed to close 31 offices of the Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles in mostly black counties. After protests by civil rights activists, including Jesse Jackson, the politically motivated effort was later overturned, resulting in a federal investigation. The relationship between Bentley and Mason and how it impacted the DMV closure plan was the focus of a new 131-page report, which the Birmingham News reports was released by investigators examining impeachment proceedings against the governor. The report, from lead investigator Jack Sharman, found Mason “proposed closing multiple driver’s license offices throughout the State” and asking Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to “put together a plan.” Sharman also noted that former ALEA head Spencer Collier – well-aware of Mason’s intent – was instructed to have a plan “rolled out in a way that had limited impact on Government Bentley’s political allies.” Collier reported the closure plan to Luther Strange, Alabama’s then-Attorney General, expressing concern over possible Voting Rights Act violations. The News reports that Collier eventually agreed to the closure plan, but through “objective measure based on processed transactions per year to determine which offices to close.” Mason’s plan, if enacted, would of save the state $200,000 – a small amount in a General Fund showing typical annual shortfalls between $100 million and $200 million. Bentley agreed to the plan, the report said, with a single exception: removing state Sen. Gerald Dial’s district from the list. Dial told the News he never spoke with Bentley about any closures and is not aware of which county was under consideration. The plan set off an investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which discovered that the closures would hit rural counties hardest and disproportionately affect black neighborhoods, a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The NAACP, the nation’s leading civil rights organization, filed a lawsuit prompting the federal review. At first, Bentley was critical of DOT involvement in the investigation, which he said was political in nature. But after striking an agreement between state and federal agencies, ALEA agreed it would extend service hours for DMV offices in Alabama’s so-called “Black Belt.”
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
Former ALEA Secretary adds defendants to termination lawsuit
Spencer Collier, the former secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has amended his wrongful termination lawsuit against Governor Robert Bentley and others. Filed on Wednesday, the complaint names an attorney for ALEA Michael Robinson and ALEA special agent April Bickhaus as two new defendants. Five new counts are also listed in the complaint. The amended documents claim Robinson and Bickhaus were part of an effort to smear Collier. The five new counts are as follows: Count X accuses Bentley, Rebekah Mason, Stan Stabler and Robinson of conspiracy, alleging that they worked together to place Collier “in a false light and to falsely accuse him of crimes and other misconduct,” damaging his reputation in order to discredit his testimony as a potential witness against Bentley and others. Count XI is an invasion of privacy claim that states the false information and statements published were done so to intentionally hurt Collier and invade his privacy. The lawsuit says the statements were “made and published with malice and with knowledge and intent to hurt and discredit Collier.” It further says “Bentley grossly abused his position and committed Ethics Violations by using State equipment, facilities, time, materials, human labor, and other public property for his private benefit and personal desires to hurt Collier and damage his reputation.” Count XII claims Robinson used his job to “intimidate and coerce ALEA employees to make false and derogatory statements against Collier.” Count XIII accuses Bickhaus of an invasion of privacy. The lawsuit states that she “invaded Collier’s privacy by putting him in a false light and position in the eyes of the public by among other things, placing false and disparaging information in the ALEA Reports.” The claim also states that Bickhaus knew there was no “legitimate” purpose for the investigation. Count XIV accuses Bentley and his staff members, “at [the governor’s] direction”, of publicly accusing Collier of committing crimes, while knowing the accusations were false. View the amended suit below:
Robert Bentley turns over ALEA report criticizing Spencer Collier for absenteeism, spending
Gov. Robert Bentley turned over a 1,600-page filing with a committee looking into his impeachment last week, which included a 63-page report criticizing former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) director Spencer Collier‘s job performance, offering new insights into his March 2016 firing. The report was the product of a months-long investigation by April Bickhaus, a special agent with ALEA’s Integrity Unit, which she began in February 2015. It includes quotes from ALEA employees and paints a picture of habitual absenteeism, a misuse of state funds and mismanagement in the office, and poor hiring decisions. It also included allegations of sexual harassment, prescription drug abuse, and falsifying time sheets. Among its findings, the report claims upon review of entry records, Collier’s key card was used to access the ALEA’s Montgomery headquarters only 20 days in the six-month period before his termination. It also indicated a problem with the amount of weapons Collier purchased, and the process in which he did so. “Weapons stand out to us because this particular individual bought a lot of weapons, more than the average employee,” the report quotes ALEA Accounting Director Jennifer Frost having said. “For him to just go to Gulf States (Distributors) and buy weapons and accessories without a (purchase order), and purchase these items through the ALEA account held at Gulf States is clearly wrong.” Collier, who said allegations Bentley used state funds to pursue an affair with former senior aide Rebekah Caldwell Mason led to his investigation, denies the charges made against him in the report. “This is probably the sleaziest politics that I have ever seen,” Collier said in a statement. “One witness in this report has recanted and others will. Stan Stabler and Michael Robinson threatened employees, lied to them and intimidated them to say whatever was needed to fit the narrative.” Read the entire ALEA report below:
Robert Bentley awards $3.7 million to improve Labor Day, holiday highway safety
Gov. Robert Bentley on Thursday awarded nearly $3.7 million to help keep Alabama roads safe during the upcoming Labor Day weekend and other major traveling holidays during the next year. Funds will be used by law enforcement agencies throughout the state to maintain a presence on highways including setting up checkpoints, increasing patrols on heavily traveled roads, and providing traffic monitoring. “I am proud to award these funds to increase safety on all of Alabama’s more than 100,000 miles of roadways,” Gov. Bentley said. “Highway safety is a very important part of our overall efforts to increase public safety. By increasing the number of troopers and police on the roads, we look to increase driver awareness and adherence to our traffic safety laws.” Bentley awarded $1.2 million to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to keep more troopers on the road during heavy traffic times. The remaining funds will be distributed among the four traffic safety offices in the state, which allocate funds to local police and sheriff’s departments for use in their jurisdictions. Allocations to each office are as follows: North central region: $686,577 East central region: $669,581 Southwest region: $604,631 Southeast region: $536,127 The funds also help support major traffic safety campaigns like “Click it or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” The Drive Sober campaign is now in full swing through Labor Day, with the aim of reducing highway injuries and deaths caused by impaired driving due to drugs or alcohol, and distracted driving. Funds were made available to the state from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and are being administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). “This program puts the funds into the hands of state and local law enforcement agencies who know exactly where patrols and police presence need to be,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “ADECA is pleased to partner with law enforcement across our state in this effort to reduce deaths and injuries on our state’s roads.”
Gov. Robert Bentley, ALEA Secretary Stan Stabler visit the MPD to say thanks
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley visited the Montgomery Police Department Wednesday to thank the law enforcement officers from across the state for their service and dedication. Bentley was joined by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Stan Stabler for the appreciation visit that began at 6 a.m. “Everyday you put your lives on the line. You get up and go to work and you expect to come home, your families expect you to come home and I expect you to come home.” Governor Bentley said to the officers in the room. Bentley is honoring the men and women who willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect Alabamians on a daily basis. “I want everyone across this country to know that as Governor of this state, we are going to have your back and we are going to do whatever it takes and whatever is needed to protect you,” Bentley continued. Tuesday, Bentley announced the Alabama State Capitol will be illuminated blue through Friday night to show appreciation for the 16,000 law enforcement officers in Alabama and others across the nation, in the wake of the shootings in Baton Rouge and Dallas that killed several officers.
