Voters weigh in on Birmingham’s future ahead of city election

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Birmingham voters will choose from among nine candidates for mayor in elections Tuesday. When residents around the city were asked to share what is on their minds as they head to the ballot box, two issues rose to the top. 

“Crime and these roads around here,” Terrence Penick said. 

“I feel like everybody has said the pothole issue, so I’m not going to touch down on that,” Destiny Tarver said.  

“Crime is the biggest issue in Birmingham and something needs to be done about it,” Dennis Harris said. 

“I would go with roads,” Terry Burgess said. “We could be a little faster on fixing the roads.” 

Roads have been an ongoing concern in the city for years. As for crime, Birmingham had a record breaking year of homicides in 2024. Since then the homicide rate has dropped by more than half over last year. However, police report a two percent uptick in violent crime the first half of 2025, primarily through theft, burglary and aggravated assault. 

Dennis Harris said there needs to be a solution to crime and that could come through investing in the city’s youth. 

“It’s a serious problem,” Harris said. “I think they need to give the youth something to do. If they give them something positive to do, they probably wouldn’t do it.”  

Destiny Tarver, a self-described Gen Z-er, said she hopes city leaders will cater to its residents and children, not just those who are visiting.

“I want to see the same type of growth and community that we have for things like tourists and things, but putting it into our children so they can grow up to be happy, healthy adults also.” 

Tarver noted a contrast. She sees old, empty buildings downtown but also new infrastructure, like the Coca-Cola amphitheater north of the BJCC. At the same time, she wondered why Birmingham struggles to find solutions for unhoused people while she believes there are spaces and resources for them. 

“We have the capacity to keep everybody safe and housed and healthy,” Tarver said. “I wish we would do more about that, really.”

Another voter, Valerie Crum, took a faith-based look at solutions for unhoused people. 

“We’re in a spiritual warfare, but we’re definitely in a physical warfare too,” Crum said. “It’s really hurting the poor, you, know? And God says ‘the poor will be with you always.’ So we need to have more compassion.”

While crime, roads, students and redevelopment resonated with these voters, all voters will have their say on city leadership Tuesday.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.