Operation Crackdown

Operation Crackdown is a Birmingham Police Department initiative to suppress the practice of celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve. During the 12 hour period beginning at 6:00 PM on December 31, 2009 the department received 676 reports of gunfire from the public and 420 reports from its ShotSpotter gunfire detection equipment. In addition 749 calls were received relating to fireworks.

The operation resulted in 43 arrests and 34 weapons seized. 11 of the arrests were for illegal discharge of a firearm. Two were for felony possession of a firearm and nine for other felonies. The remaining arrests were for misdemeanors, including two curfew violations. No arrests were made for discharging fireworks.

References

• Tomberlin, Michael (January 1, 2010) "'Operation Crack-Down' nets 43 arrests on New Year's Eve." Birmingham News
• Stock, Erin (January 1, 2010) "Birmingham police fielded more than 2,500 calls on New Year's Eve." Birmingham News