PUBLIC SAFETY SUCCESS STORY

Birmingham Sees Major Drop in New Year’s Eve Gunfire in 2025

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CITY
BIRMINGHAM, AL
POPULATION
210,000
COVERAGE AREA
20 SQ. MI
PRODUCT USED
ShotSpotter
CUSTOMER SINCE
2007

Situation

As Birmingham rang in the New Year, the city recorded a meaningful decline in celebratory gunfire, signaling progress in ongoing community safety efforts. According to the Birmingham Police Department, 4,688 rounds of gunfire were detected on December 31, 2025, a significant decrease from previous years, underscoring the impact of proactive, data-driven strategies.

Situation

The decline is attributed to Operation Close Out, an intelligence-led, holiday-focused public safety initiative. This program — an evolution of Operation Crack Down, originally launched in 2007 — leverages historical data and ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology to focus enforcement and community engagement where it’s most needed.

61%

Reduction in gunfire incidents from 2023-2025

37%

Reduction in celebratory gunfire incidents from 2024-2025

100+

Officers deployed across historically high-activity areas as part of targeted safety initiative

Under the leadership of Police Chief Michael Pickett, Birmingham Police leveraged ShotSpotter to identify and anticipate high-risk areas, deploying targeted patrols with more than 100 officers concentrated in key neighborhoods. The coordinated enforcement actions led to arrests and the recovery of weapons during the New Year’s Eve period, improving community safety.

Data and technology mean nothing if they sit unused. The power comes when you analyze the data, build a strategy, and take decisive action. That’s when you turn information into impact and see real results. I am laser-focused on making BPD an intelligence-led, data-driven department, in hopes of making Birmingham one of the safest midsize cities in America.

Chief MICHAEL PICKETT, Birmingham Police Department
How ShotSpotter Benefits the Birmingham Police Department

LIFE SAVING

ShotSpotter ensures first responders are notified quickly with an accurate location so that they can provide life-saving medical aid to gunshot victims.

EVIDENCE COLLECTION

ShotSpotter’s precise alerts enable thorough evidence collection and NIBIN corroboration that can expedite investigations and support prosecution.

STRONGER COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Faster response times help deter and reduce gun violence, helping the Birmingham Police Department build trust with the community.

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