“We couldn’t get anyone to say, ‘I witnessed this, or it caused public alarm.’ We got a video showing people in the middle of the street with guns.’’
Video of armed men during an apparent confrontation in downtown Birmingham earlier this month is certainly alarming, but unfortunately not criminal, according to Mayor Randall Woodfin.The footage was taken about 10 days ago, reportedly outside Belo Hookah Studio in the basement of Watts Tower on 20th Street and Third Avenue North. It was posted to Reddit, with a caption that said a shootout had taken place, but Birmingham police said there was no shootout.
“That video was of concern to me, of concern to residents, of concern to small business owners, a concern to any citizen that would see it,’’ Woodfin said.“When we peel it back, what we got in that street that we know is illegal is jaywalking,’’ he said. “That sucks.” “The state of Alabama now says you don’t have a pistol permit to walk around with any form of a firearm,’’ he said.“It turns out the people in the streets were not necessarily wanting to be a witness to anything,’’ Woodfin said.
The mayor said there have been talks with small business owners about a beefed-up police presence in those areas with foot patrols and more businesses also having private security.
@River-State Birmingham Police
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