Governor Ivey Tackles Montgomery Crime with Alcohol Regulation Review

Governor Kay Ivey is taking action to curb crime in Montgomery and other Alabama hotspots. Her strategy? Asking the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board to tighten up the state's alcohol rules.

This move comes after that scary downtown Montgomery shooting on October 4, where several people were hurt.

Cracking Down After Dark

Ivey wants ABC Administrator Curtis Stewart to dive deep into Alabama's alcohol laws, especially for businesses slinging drinks after 5 p.m. in busy areas and at special events in Montgomery.

"Public safety comes first," says Ivey. "We're gonna make sure our communities are safe." She backs Stewart's plan to explore "commonsense steps" in entertainment districts and is ready for some serious policy changes.

ABC's Action Plan

Stewart responded with a plan that includes both immediate and long-term fixes. The goal is crystal clear: boost public safety through adjustments to ABC policy.

Proposed Rule Changes:

• No more selling cups or ice in package stores in entertainment zones – cutting down on that sneaky off-premises boozing!
• Limits on how much alcohol special retail licensees can sell for drinking elsewhere.

Legislative Changes Needed:

• Curfews for minors in entertainment districts.
• No free alcohol giveaways at big events in entertainment districts.
• The power to shut down an entire entertainment district if it doesn't meet public safety standards.

Stewart says he's been talking to all kinds of folks to make sure these changes will actually work across Alabama. He's also keen to work with lawmakers who want to push these reforms during the 2026 legislative session.

Building on Past Efforts

These ABC actions build on past attempts to reduce violent crime. Efforts such as the ALEA-led Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit and the 2025 Safe Alabama legislative package have been key to the Ivey administration's goal to make Alabama safer for everyone.