By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – The sheriff of Jefferson County is undertaking an effort to reduce the homicide rate throughout his county. Mike Hale says he would like to create a multi-agency violent crimes task force, and he's hoping one can begin work by April. Hale says he'll meet with police chiefs in all of the county's 28 cities, and he'd also like to see federal and state agents take part. Birmingham Police Chief Annetta Nunn has not committed to the idea, but she says one of her commanders has talked to the sheriff's department about helping serve thousands of outstanding felony warrants. There were 143 homicides last year in all of Jefferson County. Birmingham accounted for 105 of them.