Piedmont Sees Drop in Violent Crime in 2019

The City of Piedmont saw a drop in violent crime in 2019, according to a report given at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

According to Piedmont Police Chief Freddie Norton, the city saw only 12 violent crimes reported for all of 2019, down from 33 the previous year.

Over the last few years, Norton said the city had been averaging about 33-35 violent crimes per year, which he said includes murders and robberies.

However, 2019 saw zero robberies reported.

“This is the first time since I’ve been employed that I can remember that we haven’t had a robbery,” Norton said.

In other business, the council also passed a resolution officially designating an alleyway, located near the corner of Ladiga Street and Main Street, as a city street. Officials previously named the alley, “Trail Park Drive,” as it was required to be named prior to becoming a street, paving the way for its resurfacing by the county at no cost to the city.

The move will also provide greater access and the allocation of 911 addresses to future business located along the street.

Kevin Cunningham, CEO of Pinhoti Properties, was on hand to update the council on his efforts to bring a restaurant to his company’s downtown property. Cunningham announced that the popular Tuscaloosa-based Broadway Pizzeria will open its third location in the newly renovated space. According to Cunningham, this will likely be the only wood-fired pizzeria in Calhoun County.

The restaurant is just part of Cunningham’s plan to develop the 2-acre Main Street property, creating as many as 35 new jobs.

Throughout this process, Cunningham has stated that the goal of the project is to capture the attention of people using the Chief Ladiga Trail, while giving them a reason to stop in Piedmont.

Bills for payment were approved in the amount of $835,711.41.

The next regular Piedmont City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4th, immediately following the work session, which is set for 5:30pm.

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