A Birmingham community activist is calling for the removal or resignation of Police Chief Scott Thurmond, citing an “unprecedented” rise in homicides and low morale among officers.
Eric Hall, the co-founder of the Birmingham Black Lives Matter chapter who previously sought a seat on the Birmingham City Council, on Saturday launched an online petition calling for “for the Immediate Removal or Resignation of City of Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond.”
As of Monday morning, the Change.org petition had received 94 signatures.
State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, a Democratic lawmaker from Birmingham, on Monday also called for Thurmond’s removal for failing to address what she called the “never ending bloodbath” taking place on the streets in and around her legislative district.
Hall’s petition outlines key issues, including:
- An unprecedented increase in homicides under Chief Thurmond’s leadership.
- Deteriorating morale within the Birmingham Police Department.
- A perception of reactive rather than proactive measures in addressing violent crime.
- Erosion of trust between police officers and their leadership.
Thurmond declined to comment on the petition.
City Council President Darrell O’Quinn and Public Safety Chairperson LaTonya Tate did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rick Journey, director of communications for Mayor Randall Woodfin, released this statement:
“We work closely with Chief Thurmond and police leadership and are appreciative of the cooperation established with our county and federal law enforcement partners,’’ the statement read.
“Under Chief Thurmond’s leadership, felony assaults, robbery, rape, burglary and theft are all down,’’ according to the statement.
“We are encouraged by the potential of the recommended officer recruitment and retention plan, continued investments in technology through the Real Time Crime Center, and additional strategies to expand our response to gun violence that will be announced very soon.”
“The homicide problem we currently face goes beyond policing and policy and requires resolve from the community, too,’’ the statement read.
“It is time to rally around all of our law enforcement who are working tirelessly and putting their lives on the line for our city. Only together can we overcome this current challenge.”
Hall, in the petition, said, “We, the undersigned residents of Birmingham, are compelled to voice our deep concern regarding the current state of public safety in our city. “Our citizens are living in fear—fear of crime, fear of the police, and fear for their lives. We need a police chief who prioritizes the safety of our community and possesses the vision and capability to lead effectively.”
The petition said the city needs a leader who will listen to the concerns of Birmingham residents and work tirelessly to restore trust in law enforcement.
“Public safety should be a priority, not a convenience,” the petition reads.
Givan, in a press release and letters to the mayor and the city council referenced the weekend shooting and other recent, violent crimes at the Third Avenue Shell.
“The Birmingham Police Department has said this area is a focal point for crime,’’ Givan said. “Why in hell aren’t they doing something about it?”
“Either the chief can’t do the job or he’s unwilling to do the job or someone at City Hall is preventing him from doing his job. Whatever the case, the chief is ultimately responsible.”
In calling for Thurmond’s resignation, said she said he has failed to the lead the department in a manner in which the citizens know and believe that he is in fact in control.
She, too, cited low morale and said he has failed to develop and/or execute a plan to reduce killings and mass shootings.
She said if Thurmond won’t resign, he should be terminated.
Givan said she also supports a bill that is being proposed in the Alabama Legislature that would allow the governor or attorney general to appoint an interim police chief in cities with high crime.
Birmingham has recorded 128 homicides so far this year. Of those, nine have been ruled justifiable and therefore aren’t deemed criminal. Two others happened in previous years, but the victims died in 2024.
The city only has to report homicides that are not justified to the FBI for its annual review and comparisons.
As of Friday, the number of unjustified homicides in the city were up 30 percent.
According to the department’s year-to-date public safety statistics, homicide is the only category that is up.
Rape is down 24.2 percent, robberies down 13.4 percent, and aggravated assaults down 11.8 percent.
In all, according to the statistics, overall violent crime is down 10.5 percent.
As for property crimes, burglaries are down 4.5 percent, auto theft down 17.1 percent, and theft down 13.1 percent for an overall reduction in property crimes of 12.5 percent.
