Blount County Sheriff Responds To Recent Surge In Crime

BLOUNT COUNTY, AL — A recent wave of crimes - including violent crimes - has placed law enforcement in Blount County in somewhat unfamiliar territory. The otherwise peaceful county (consistently with the lowest violent crime rate in the Birmingham metropolitan area) has seen a surge in crime in recent weeks, prompting Sheriff Mark Moon to address the issue.

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"As most of you know the last few weeks have been extremely difficult in our normally quiet and peaceful county," Moon said. "Actually the last month has been quite trying for myself, the deputies, and investigators due to some very stressful situations. In these most difficult times I am encouraged in the thought that the Lord is carrying me through and that He'll never put more on us than we can handle."

Moon said the supprot his department has received from residents has been positive. "I am also so thankful for our wonderful communities and for your outpouring of thanks, gratitude, and prayers. I received a card and a letter today that I want to share because it brought tears to my eyes but it also brought joy to my heart because of its beautiful message. I am truly a blessed man to have so many people praying for me daily and doing things like sending me a letter to encourage me during hard times. Blount County you have no idea how much I love you and how grateful I am to be your sheriff. Thank you for your continued prayers and for every kind thing you do and say."

Moon added, "Also to all my deputies at the Blount County Sheriffs Office I want to say thank you for all your hard work, dedication, professionalism, and compassion you show every day to protect this great county that we all love. You guys are the heartbeat of this department and nothing, I mean nothing, would ever be accomplished without you."

Over the weekend, a Blountsville man who is charged with attempted murder following a shooting late Friday afternoon.

September 5, Blount County investigators officially signed warrants and charged all four suspects with capital murder of 38-year-old Adam Beard. All four suspects are currently being held in the Blount County Correctional Facility without bond.

Also over the weekend, a man and woman were arrested and charged with multiple offenses after an 18-month old child died while in the couple's care. Investigators determined that the child was abused by his mother's boyfriend after the child reportedly grabbed the man's chest hair. The boy's mother, 24-year-old Samantha McCormack, and her boyfriend, 28-year-old Robert Elmore Jr., are being held without bond in the Blount County Jail.

Blount County actually reports the least amount of violent crime among the counties in the Birmingham metropolitan area. With just 102 violent crimes per 100,000 people, the county ranks well below Jefferson (727), Shelby (156), St. Clair (182), Bibb (246) and Walker (212) counties.