ALEA Helicopters Play Significant Role in Helping MACS Unit Fight Crime in Montgomery
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — A year ago, the Montgomery Area Crime Suppression unit was created because of a shortage of hundreds of police officers and increasing crime rates. In part one of our two-part series, we examined the statistics that show the success the MACS unit has had over the past year. Now we explore one of the major assets of the unit and what it costs to cut down crime in the capital city.
One year after the creation of the Montgomery Area Crime Suppression (MACS) unit, law enforcement leaders say a coordinated, multi-agency approach is making a significant impact on crime in Alabama’s capital city. The MACS unit has focused on targeting violent offenders through partnerships across federal, state and local agencies.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor and State Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Inabinett credit much of the unit’s success to regular collaboration with the Violent Offender Intervention and Deterrence (VOID) program. The group holds weekly briefings and twice-monthly meetings to share intelligence and coordinate strategies.
“If I’m looking for suspect X, the Secret Service may already have an open investigation tied to the same person. Without VOID, we might not know that,” Inabinett said. “That kind of intelligence sharing trickles down to the MACS unit and strengthens our investigations.”
The Alabama Legislature recently approved $3 million in funding for the MACS unit as part of Gov. Kay Ivey’s Safe Alabama initiative. The funding will allow the unit to hire approximately 10 additional officers and purchase necessary equipment.
“The money they gave us is needed,” Taylor said. “When you hire officers, you have to have vehicles, equipment and firearms. All of that adds up, but it allows us to grow and, if needed, help other parts of the state.”
Aerial surveillance has also played a major role in the unit’s success. ALEA has 11 helicopters and two fixed wings that are spread out over three bases – Montgomery, Fairhope, and Cullman. The helicopters have flown 148 missions over Montgomery in the past year, logging 618 flight hours. The aircraft has assisted officers in pursuits and suspect searches, providing critical visual support from the air.
“We may not be able to see a suspect vehicle at ground level, so the helicopter has been a huge asset,” Inabinett said.
So far ALEA, not the City of Montgomery, has covered the $90,475.20 cost for the 14,832 gallons of jet fuel required for the helicopters’ operations over Montgomery.
Inabinett emphasized that the MACS unit’s effectiveness stems from a unified effort across agencies.
“I think all those local, state and federal assets working together to prosecute violent criminals have been the key to MACS’ success,” he said. “They’re functioning like a well-oiled machine.”
Taylor, who lives in Montgomery, said the impact is personal.
“My kids go to school here. We go to church here. And people thank me every day for the MACS unit,” Taylor said. “But I always tell them, it’s a team effort—between the county, the city, the AG, ATF, and the DA’s office. It’s not just us.”
Taylor added that if other Alabama cities need assistance and funding is available, ALEA is ready to partner with them as well.
As we mentioned in part one of our series, in its first year the MACS Unit made more than 3,100 traffic stops, served 983 arrest warrants — ranging from traffic offenses to capital murder — and made 429 arrests. The unit also seized 268 firearms and 164 illegal machine gun conversion devices, and recovered 68 stolen vehicles.
