One Tuscaloosa Police officer. Two columns of Guardsmen. Three Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control agents. This is one of many groups that are seen patrolling the streets of Tuscaloosa throughout the night. They work together to secure the areas designated as recovery zones that were destroyed during the April 27 tornados. The groups are patrolling to make sure there is no theft, robbery or criminal trespassing.
This group quietly walks through the neighborhoods in the Leland area. They go from checkpoint to checkpoint, occasionally shining flashlights onto areas if they suspect there is something going on. Mostly though, everyone is more comfortable without the flashlights After six nights of patrolling through the same neighborhood, they are familiar enough with the area to be able to recognize it in the darkness.
“There was a grandfather clock right there,” ABC agent Hines said as he pointed to what was left of a storage unit. “I really hope the owners came and got it.”
Caring comments like this continue throughout the night amongst the patrol group. They protect the neighborhood as they would their own.
“I think we’re doing a great thing,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Matraia, 214th Military Police Company in Alexander City, Ala. He is the acting first sergeant over the Guardsmen performing night patrols. “We’ve seen the theft rate go down dramatically. There aren’t as many people just wandering the streets as there were the first two nights.”
There were four checkpoints throughout the neighborhood Wednesday night, down from the twelve checkpoints that were set up initially. Members of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, along with the ABC force, operate the checkpoints. They check addresses and destinations for those driving through the recovery areas after dark.
“People are generally not living in their homes because there’s nothing left of them. There really aren’t many reasons for people to be driving through here,” said Hines. “But, it is their city, and we understand that a lot of people have routes they’ve driven all their lives. We’re not going to stop that.”
Many citizens have expressed their thanks to the groups that are here assisting with the recovery efforts.
“Thank you for taking care of us!” said the driver of one car. “We appreciate everything you are doing,” said another.
The kind words are appreciated and help to keep morale high. “It feels good to be doing our part to help out,” said Cadet Joanna Hanson, 214th Military Police Company, Alexander City, Ala. “We’re doing a great thing out here.”