Mayoral candidates in Mobile claim that the National Guard has failed to address their mobile security concerns.
Both candidates for mayor of Mobile, Alabama are in agreement on a key issue: The National Guard is absent from the city's streets to address crime.
@ClaudiasWorkshop 
At a debate organized by AL.com and hosted in conjunction with AARP, State Rep... The statement made by Barbara Drummond (D) and former Mobile County District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis (R) was that Mobile must find solutions to solve the city's problems..
Local Problems, Local Solutions.
The federal government and military should not interfere in city affairs, according to Drummond's candid viewpoint.
"Our problems can be protected and resolved, but I don't want to see law enforcement become a political figure.".
Our conversation revolves around people, and I believe that solving local problems requires the assistance of local individuals.. The.
Her Republican opponent agreed. Cheriogotis contended that involving the National Guard would not only be unjustified, but also lacks proper due diligence:
The training they received was not tailored to their role, he noted.
I don't think we require them in Mobile.
Crime Trends in Mobile.
As Mobile gears up for a Sept. event, the debate takes place. 23. The winner will take up the position of mayor on November 3..
Crime has been a major concern following an increase in violent incidents over the past few years. From 2023 to 2024, Mobile experienced a 24% decrease in serious crimes, including such offenses as rape and robbery.
Both contenders maintain that the Mobile Police Department's advancement is evidence that it can manage the city' s complexities without external assistance.
National Debate on Federal Involvement.
Mobile's discussion mirrors a larger national discourse.? The Trump administration has proposed deploying the National Guard to cities with high violent crime rates, particularly those controlled by Democrats like Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans, and Baltimore.
The recent deployments in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. have prompted renewed inquiries into whether the military has control over civilian law enforcement.
Last week, the Alabama Governor Kay Ivey's office confirmed that the National Guard could not be sent to Birmingham and Montgomery due to their recent spike in violent crime.
The Bigger Picture.
The issue at hand is less about whether Mobile should call the National Guard. Drummond and Cheriogotis are of the opinion that Mobile's strength is based on its own people, officers, and resilience.
The National Guard is not necessary in this location, as Cheriogotis stated. Drummond emphasized that they are unnecessary. What should we do? Trust, community, and accountability are essential.’
In conjunction with the runoff, the upcoming mayor of Mobile will have to take responsibility for proving that local leadership is the way forward, not just muscular federal authority.
