Huntsville City Councilman Praises Safety Improvements on Binford Drive

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Huntsville City Councilman Bill Kling said the Huntsville Housing Authority and police department are making important changes in a community that regularly faces gun violence.

Those who live on Binford Drive may have noticed more police in the area, especially at night. The community is under a curfew, in effect for several months now.

“I think the police and the housing authority are very vigilant and we want to make sure that what happened in May and September never happens again in this neighborhood,” Kling said.

Kling visited Binford Drive on Tuesday, praising steps taken to improve safety in the area.

“The people of this neighborhood deserve the safe, quiet, quiet neighborhood that every other neighborhood in the city has,” Kling said.

Last month, a shooting left one dead and another injured. This was the fourth shooting to take place on Binford Drive in four months.

News 19 spoke with people living in the community at that time, who said they wanted to feel safe in their homes. Safety remains a top priority.

“Being in a neighborhood where you can have peace of mind and communicate with everyone without misunderstanding, it’s really nice,” said Myca Pope, who lives on Binford Drive.

Pope said she has noticed improvements in recent weeks.

“Everything’s fine,” Pope said. “Everyone is calm and everyone comes together. It’s cool here.”

Others said they were still taking safety precautions, like keeping their children indoors.

Kling said he hopes to see more growth in the area. A mixed-use development is planned near Governors Drive and Seminole Drive, just down the street from the Binford Drive community.

“That includes stores, a new large grocery store, an apartment complex for low-rise and affordable housing,” Kling said. “I’m proud to be part of the team working with the mayor, the administration, the planning department and all these great city departments we have to make this stuff happen.”

Kling represents the Binford Drive community on the Huntsville City Council. He said anyone living in the area should raise their concerns with him.