Chicago probably has more numbers, but they also have a greater population. The list given is crime per 100,000 people. Birmingham is most dangerous at night.
A gas company crew was repairing a gas leak and a kid with a gun came up and robbed them of their wallets. He was told if his gun went off it would ignite a big fire. He didn't care. The gas company repairs leaks at night to avoid traffic problems. So now they get a police officer to be present at every gas leak.
Gas leaks are graded 1,2, and 3. 1 has to be repaired immediately as it could cause a fire or explosion. Grade 1 is gas is present but in below flammable mix, but has to be repaired and can be scheduled repair. Grade 3 is a tiny wiff of leak, non flamable, but has to be repaired or monitored until a repair can be scheduled. This is nationwide. Crew was on a grade 2 leak. Leaks are really hard to pinpoint around gas stations.
Most whites moved out of Birmingham into surrounding towns and suburbs starting in the 1960's. Counting Birmingham and the surrounding cities and suburbs, there is about 1 million people in that area say within 30-40 miles of downtown Birmingham. This is true with most big cities. Huntsville has passed Birmingham as Alabama's largest city. Huntsville is the most educated city in America. Lots of engineers. A lot of German descendants there too.
