Reassessing "common sense" in Birmingham

In my last post, I suggested that Birmingham might consider a different approach to crime-fighting - one that is modeled, like Denver's, on what Mayor Giuliani implemented in New York City. According to today's Birmingham News editorial, it appears that Birmingham's new mayor, Larry Langford, is already on the case:

While former Mayor Bernard Kincaid downplayed Birmingham's crime problems, all the other candidates made it a primary campaign issue. One of new Mayor Larry Langford's first acts, even before being sworn in, was to force Police Chief Annetta Nunn to resign. She is being replaced by Hoover Assistant Police Chief A.C. Roper.

One of the changes Roper likely will bring to Birmingham is more of a "zero tolerance" policy toward crime: Be aggressive against small crimes, and some of the more serious crimes can be prevented.

New York City used the same approach in the 1990s to lower crime, and it is now listed as the fourth safest city of 500,000 or more population in the country.

Being defensive about being on a high-crime list isn't constructive. The answer isn't simple, either, but it starts with an aggressive police department that targets high-crime areas. That is no secret; Birmingham police know the hot spots. That's where they need to focus their attention.

This is very encouraging, and it seems that Birmingham's new leadership possesses a bit more common sense than I gave them credit for.