The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is proud to share an update on the continued success of the Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit, which has made measurable strides in promoting safety and reducing violent crime in Montgomery and surrounding areas. Since its formation on June 24, 2024, and through 133 days of active operations, the MACS Unit has delivered results that reflect its commitment to public safety and its strategic approach to law enforcement.
To date, the MACS Unit has:
• Conducted 2,900 traffic stops
• Served 952 arrest warrants, ranging from Failure to Appear for traffic offenses to Capital Murder
• Made 414 arrests of individuals on various charges
• Seized 256 firearms
• Confiscated 164 machine gun conversion devices
• Recovered 65 stolen vehicles
These figures reflect the MACS Unit’s tireless efforts and targeted operations that focus on disrupting criminal activity, enhancing public safety, and supporting local law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
“This unit was created to meet a rising need for a focused, mobile team that could assist in taking violent offenders and illegal weapons off our streets,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “What the MACS Unit has achieved in a relatively short time is nothing short of extraordinary—and it would not have been possible without the steadfast support of Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Legislature.”
The Alabama Legislature played a pivotal role in the success of MACS by securing essential funding for additional law enforcement officers to expand the unit statewide. Additionally, Governor Ivey’s recent Safe Alabama Public Safety Package has equipped MACS Officers and law enforcement across the state with stronger tools and protections to serve communities more effectively. Key elements of the initiative include:
• The Back the Blue Immunity Bill, providing enhanced legal protections for officers in the line of duty
• The Inner City Gun Violence Bill, increasing penalties for repeat firearm-related offenses
• The Ban on Machine Gun Conversion Devices, which directly supports the MACS Unit’s efforts to eliminate these dangerous tools from Alabama streets
“These laws reflect a deep commitment to public safety and a clear understanding of the challenges facing law enforcement today,” said Secretary Taylor. “The Governor’s and the Legislature’s support ensures that ALEA, along with our state and local partners, have the authority and resources needed to confront violent crime head-on.”
MACS was created to confront and reduce violent crimes through sustained, proactive and coordinated investigations. Officers with the MACS Unit seek to obtain prosecutions for violations such as organized crime, drug conspiracy, robbery, motor vehicle theft and firearms violations. MACS further expands cooperation and communication among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies through the existing infrastructure of the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force (ADETF). MACS was established by ALEA in collaboration with the Alabama Attorney General's Office, the Montgomery Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
