City Action Partnership

The City Action Partnership (CAP) in Downtown is a team of uniformed men and women (CAPs) who patrol on bicycles and in marked vehicles with rotating green lights. The CAPs work in tandem with law enforcement, businesses, and government in an attempt to keep downtown safe and friendly. In addition to patrols, CAPs answer questions and provide stranded motorist services free of charge to anyone in the CAP Service Area. Teresa K. Thorne is Executive Director of the City Action Partnership.

History

With the support of City Center businesses, Operation New Birmingham (ONB) helped form the CAP safety guide program in 1995 to improve the safety and perception of safety in the area. It took a legislative act and a city ordinance to create the Business Improvement District (BID). The laws provide for an assessment on the property owners, which is currently .001 of the assessed property value ($1 for every $1,000 dollars of value). This funds the organization, which is non-profit and allows CAP to provide services free of charge. CAP is governed by a separate board of directors representing property owners within the BID who work to promote the CAP safety program.

Service Area

The CAP Service Area is bounded to the north by 11th Avenue North (including the Civic Center) south to 5th Avenue South, east to 22nd Street North (and south) and west to 16th Street North & 18th Street South, respectively.

Special Projects

CAP has sponsored special projects such as the 9-11 Memorial Walk, the Birmingham Pledge mural, and the Hanging Basket projects, as well as litter initiatives like "Can Your Butt".

External Links

CAPisDowntown.com website