By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 8, 2025
BAY MINETTE, Ala. The Bay Minette Police reported having a very busy May 2025, and noted the following information in their statistical data report:
Calls For Service
1, 852
Traffic Stops
1202
Citations
268
Misdemeanor & Felony Arrests
61
Incident Reports
163
Accident Reports
20
Close Patrols
975
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 8, 2025
FOLEY Ala.
An unidentified woman has fatally shot herself in Foley Friday morning.
The Foley Fire Department was first called to the area of Hickory and Covenant Drive at around 10:55 a.m. for a possible heart attack.
When Foley firefighters arrived they found that the woman had been shot and Foley police have now confirmed that a handgun was nearby.
The woman was rushed to an area hospital but she succumbed to her injuries.
The Foley Police confirmed to us that it appears that the woman took her own life.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 6, 2025
FOLEY Ala. A motorcyclist who was involved in a wreck on Thursday in Foley was also run over by the vehicle according to Foley firefighters.
The 11:49 a.m. wreck occurred at South McKenzie St and West Riviera Blvd and involved a motorcyclist and a passenger vehicle and seriously injured the rider of the motorcyclist.
Foley police, firefighters, and EMS responded to the wreck and shut down part of the roadway.
A medical helicopter was also dispatched to the scene.
The collision is under investigation.
This was just one of five serious wrecks with injuries in Baldwin County on Thursday.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By: Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 6, 2025
FORT MORGAN Ala. Heavy black smoke poured into the lobby at the Beach Club towers located at 527 Beach Club Trail in Fort Morgan Wednesday evening.
The smoke also filled several floors of the resort causing an evacuation according to a guest who was staying on the property.
At 4:17 p.m., the Baldwin County 911 Communications Center received 911 calls of a structure fire at the resort and dispatched the Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department.
Arriving firefighters found smoke in the lobby and on several other floors but could not pinpoint where it was coming from.
FMFD requested mutual-aid assistance and the Gulf Shores Fire Department and several ambulances responded to the property.
Firefighters spent several hours on the property and we have been told that the tower was evacuated and left without power.
The building maintained a “fire watch” during the overnight hours.
At 5:59 p.m., the Fort Morgan Fire Department and an ambulance were sent to the same address on the property for a medical emergency.
Minutes after midnight on Thursday, the fire department was dispatched back to the property for an activated fire alarm but no fire or other problems were found.
We have been told that the smoke came from equipment that malfunctioned but we do not know if there was an actual fire.
No further details were released.
We have requested further information from Spectrum Management Company which is the property management company for Beach Club properties.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 6, 2025
BALDWIN COUNTY Ala. A Marine Corps veteran, retired Alabama Law Enforcement State Trooper, and a Baldwin County District 2 Commissioner, Matt McKenzie says that he will run for sheriff of the county in 2026.
Huey “Hoss” Mack retired last year to take another position and Governor Kay Ivey appointed Sheriff Anthony Lowery to fill the position for the remainder of Mack’s term.
But McKenzie has voiced interest in the position since last year when Mack left office and he believes that his experience and service speaks for itself.
“As sheriff, my focus will be building trust, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring every citizen feels protected and heard,” McKenzie said. “I am excited to get to work on my campaign and to share my vision for the future with the voters.”
“I want to bring a fresh start to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office,” McKenzie said. “I want to bring excitement and energy to the younger men and women just starting out in the law enforcement journey. I want to provide additional career enhancement avenues for our veteran officers. I want to really focus on pay raises for the deputies.”
As a longtime law enforcement officer with the State of Alabama, he oversaw driver license offices in Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Washington, Clarke, Choctaw, Monroe, Butler and Conecuh Counties. He also took part in an immigration program along with ICE agents to remove illegal aliens from Alabama and he believes that he can provide the county with a better, more streamlined law enforcement agency.
As a resident of Barnwell, I understand the growth that is quickly changing this county and the need for the county law enforcement agency to be well equipped, trained, and well paid to protect the citizens of Baldwin County. Matt and his wife Cristie and two daughters live in the county just outside of Fairhope.
He was elected as a county commissioner three years ago and has since continued to work with local law enforcement on funding for the sheriff’s office.
“I am thankful to all the people that voted me in as their County Commissioner for District 2 and I hope that I have shown to them my commitment and dedication to serve them,” McKenzie said. “I promise them I will continue to give that same effort and commitment to bringing strong law enforcement values to Baldwin County.”
McKenzie is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #43 in Fairhope and serves as an executive member of the Baldwin County Republican Party.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 6, 2025
FOLEY, Ala. Foley police officers were called to a rental scam conflict on Wednesday and detained a person while they investigated.
Police responded to the scam after a property manager notified police of the problem.
A family was living in a home illegally according to the manager.
The family includes 29-year-old Chad New, who’s paralyzed from the neck down, bound to the home on a ventilator. They’ve been living there for three weeks and paid a $2,000 deposit.
But the deal they made on Facebook Marketplace was bogus. They were conned by someone posing as the homeowner, and they just found out last week that they needed to leave immediately. But they have nowhere to go according to the family.
They’re currently using a realtor to look for a new home that will accommodate Chad.
“It’s just really stressing me out, where I can’t sleep and I’m sitting here worried about what’s going to happen,” said New.
New’s been paralyzed since he was 14 after being injured in a car accident. On Wednesday afternoon, things for his family took a turn for the worse when a police officer came to the front door.
“He said, ‘please come with me to the car,'” Joe Baglioni said. “At that point in time, he told me to turn around, and he pushed me against the car.”
Baglioni is New’s stepfather and one of his caretakers. He said police placed him in handcuffs for reportedly squatting in the home he was conned into renting.
However, Police Chief Thurston Bullock said that News was detained during the investigation but was not arrested. According to the police chief, there was never a signed warrant for his arrest.
Baglioni says relocating isn’t so straightforward. His son’s medical equipment needs enough space to move through the house.
Bullock says the property managers are also victims in this scam. He says they are trying to run a business, while also being compassionate.
For now, Bullock says the property managers have not fully filed the complaint to give the family a 24-hour notice to leave.
This may become a civil and possibly even a criminal matter in the upcoming weeks.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 5, 2025
FOLEY Ala. A wreck near Foley has taken the life of an Orange Beach woman according to ALEA.
At approximately 10:50 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025, the Baldwin County 911 Communications Center received several 911 calls about a bad accident at County Road 20 South and South Hickory Street.
Firefighters, police, and EMS rushed to the scene and found that one person was trapped in a vehicle. Firefighters worked to free the person and there was a second vehicle that was involved in the wreck.
Sadly, the wreck has taken the life of an Orange Beach woman. Margie J. Roach, 71, was critically injured when the 2002 Chevrolet S10 she was driving struck the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Joanna L. Favela, 50, of Silverhill.
Roach was transported to South Baldwin Hospital in Foley for treatment where she succumbed to injuries and was pronounced deceased.
ALEA troopers responded and conducted an accident investigation of the crash.
There’s no word on the condition of the other person involved in the wreck.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
May 5, 2025
BAY MINETTE, Ala. Police received calls at around 10:50 a.m. reporting that a bank robbery had just occurred at the United Bank in Bay Minette.
When the police arrived, they found that the suspect had fled.
Police were told that a man entered the bank and handed the teller a note indicating he was armed and demanded money before leaving.
It is not known if that man, now identified as Dondi Pettway, 47 had a gun but he did imply it.
Police issued a be-on-the-lookout to all local law enforcement with a vehicle description and the Spanish Fort Police spotted the vehicle and pulled the suspect over at 11:30 am near Highway 225 and Highway 90.
Pettway was taken into custody without incident and is charged with first-degree robbery.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
JUNE 5, 2025
HARRISON COUNTY MS. A Pritchard Police Department officer has been arrested in Orange County Florida on a warrant that was issued in Harrison County Mississippi.
According to authorities, David DeWayne Cunningham was picked by Florida police on a charge of kidnapping of a minor and is being held for extradition to Mississippi.
We have learned that this possibly involves a custodial issue, and we are expecting more information from authorities later today.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON, D.C. June 4, 2025 — The FBI has released its “2024 Active Shooter Incidents in the United States” report which shows a 50% drop in incidents in 2024 compared with 2023.
The report identifies 24 active shooter incidents in 2024, as opposed to 48 incidents recorded in 2023. These shootings occurred across 19 states and spanned five major location categories: open space, commerce, education, government and houses of worship.
While the drop marks a notable decline, the FBI cautions that active shooter incidents continue to pose serious threats to public safety, with lasting impacts on victims, families and communities. The Bureau defines an “active shooter” as one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.
From 2020 through 2024, the FBI designated 223 incidents as active shooter events —representing a 70% increase over the previous five-year period (2015–2019). These incidents took place in 43 states and the District of Columbia and occurred across all seven of the FBI’s identified location categories.
The report is part of a series that began following the passage of the Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2012, which tasked the FBI with analyzing and responding to mass casualty incidents.
The FBI emphasized its ongoing commitment to active shooter prevention, response and recovery. Through outreach and education, the Bureau offers training such as the Active Shooter Attack Prevention and Preparedness (ASAPP) program, an options-based initiative aimed at improving readiness among individuals and organizations.
MONTGOMERY Ala. June 4, 2025
What started as a proud moment for one Alabama family has turned into a wave of statewide pride — and some unexpected national buzz.
Last week, Lauren Rowland of the Alabama Department of Commerce visited “The Today Show” set in New York City with her family, proudly wearing the department’s signature “Made in Alabama” ball cap.
In a spontaneous and lighthearted moment that aired live, “Today” anchor Craig Melvin not only admired the hat — he ended up putting one on.
That simple gesture of support helped spark a big reaction. Since the broadcast, the Alabama Department of Commerce has been flooded with calls and emails from people asking the same question: “Where can I get that hat?”
Good news — now you can.
In response to the overwhelming interest, the Department of Commerce has partnered with Montgomery-based LogoBranders to make the “Made in Alabama” hat available for purchase online. For $22, fans of the brand — and of Alabama’s reputation for making world-class products — can show their support in style.
“We’ve always said that Alabama makes things the world needs,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “And now, thanks to Lauren and a little help from “The Today Show,” the world knows that includes some pretty great hats, too.”
The “Made in Alabama” campaign was launched in 2013 as part of a bold rebranding effort to highlight Alabama’s global manufacturing strength, skilled workforce and growing economy. The logo has since become a symbol of state pride — and now, a hot conversation piece.
Whether you’re an Alabama native, an industry partner, or simply someone who takes pride in the great State of Alabma, the “Made in Alabama” hat is a great way to represent a place that’s building the future — one rocket, car, airplane, and yes, hat — at a time. Proudly embroidered in Alabama, this hat reflects Alabama the Beautiful’s spirit and craftsmanship.
Order your hat by clicking here today and wear it with pride.
https://madeinalabama.itemorder.com/shop/product/49957675/
Note: The Alabama Department of Commerce is not earning a profit from the sale of the hat.
FOLEY Ala. June 3, 2025
On May 27, at approximately 6:50 pm, officers from the Foley Police Department responded to Keil Trail off Dailey Lane after receiving a call of an armed robbery. The victims told officers that they were held at gunpoint while two suspects stole two firearms from the victims.
The Foley Police Department began investigating this incident with the assistance of the Gulf Shores Police Department and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
During the area search, Foley PD canine was able to locate one of the suspects hidden under an RV. He was identified as 26-year-old Kyle Welch of Texas.
Not long after, Gulf Shores PD’s canine recovered three weapons under the RV, one of which was stolen in the armed robbery, along with a bag containing three grams of methamphetamine.
A few days later, on May 29, Foley Police located and arrested the second suspect in the armed robbery, a 17-year-old juvenile who has not been publicly identified.
Both Welch and the juvenile are being charged with Robbery 1st, a Class A felony. Welch is also being charged with an Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance which is a Class D felony.
This incident led the Foley Police Department to conduct a search warrant with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office on George Younce Road. The search warrant led to the arrest of three more individuals. Kahmiya Amoni Thomas (18) and Abel Alejandro Gamez (18) were arrested for Possession of Marijuana 2nd, a Class A misdemeanor. Gamez also is being charged with Possession of a Firearm with an Altered ID, a Class C felony.
Lastly, Cody Dewayne Barnett (34) was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. Additional charges are pending for those involved in this case.
The Foley police stated that the arrests in this case were truly a team effort. The Foley Police Department internally utilized many different units to reach this result. Foley police also had assistance from other agencies within the county.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 3, 2025
ELBERTA Ala. Authorities were notified on Monday morning that a plane had crashed in a field in Elberta.
The Baldwin County 911 Communications Center received several calls reporting the crash, and the Elberta Fire Department and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of County Road 95 and Frank Road where they found a small plane leaking fuel off the road and on private property.
There was no one in or around the plane when authorities arrived.
According to authorities, the owner of the property was not happy that the pilot walked away leaving the plane on the property without notifying the owner of the crash.
Further investigation showed that the plane crashed on Sunday and not on Monday morning and that the plane had been sitting in the field for more than 24 hours as it leaked fuel.
Authorities notified the FAA of the downed aircraft which is required by federal law.
Sheriff deputies and the fire department stated that no one was injured and that the plane posed no threat where it was. The landowner later agreed to assist the unidentified pilot with the recovery of his aircraft.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 3, 2025
LOXLEY, Ala. A serious wreck early Tuesday morning injured at least two people according to Loxley police.
The accident involved an ambulance and a truck and occurred at around 8:55 a.m. near 12000 N. Hickory Street at the Raceway gas station.
Loxley police and fire department responded to the scene, as well as EMS and treated several injured people. They also called for two medical helicopters. Two of the injured were airlifted to a trauma center in Pensacola Florida.
According to a witness, the ambulance was T-boned by the truck but it’s not clear yet as to how it happened or who was at fault.
We are working to find out if the ambulance was en-route to an emergency call and what the extent of the injuries are to all involved.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
FORT PIERCE, Fla. June 2 2025 (WFLA) — A 6-year-old was found dead in his bedroom in Florida after his mother tried to “exorcise demons” from him, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.
School resource deputies requested a welfare check on Friday for the boy, Ra’myl Pierre, after he had been missing from school for two weeks.
A deputy went to the home that morning and met the boy’s mother, 31-year-old Rhonda Paulynice, who led the deputy into the bedroom where he found the boy dead in his bed.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro said the child’s cause of death was not immediately apparent and that an autopsy was scheduled for Saturday.
While interviewing Paulynice, detectives learned that she had last spoken to the child on May 18, which is when they believe the homicide occurred, the sheriff said. He had been missing from school since May 14.
Deputies had been at the home for a medical issue the mother was having just a day before they believe the boy was killed, on May 17.
“What we did learn in speaking with the mother is she believes she was being told by God to basically exorcise demons out of the child’s body,” Sheriff Del Toro said.
She has been charged with second-degree murder, failure to report a death and altering a body.
Del Toro said that the mother told investigators that when the child stopped moving, she believed he had been freed of the demons, and she was waiting for him to “come back.”
No one else was living in the home at the time.
“From what I understand, this kid just lit the room up and was loved by everybody,” the sheriff said.
June 2, 2025
HENDERSON, KY. WEHT – Deputies in Vanderburgh County were able to find a missing teen from Alabama during a traffic stop.
The sheriff’s office states at about 9:08 a.m. on Saturday, deputies were alerted to a “Be on the Lookout” notice regarding a missing female juvenile from Albertville, Alabama. Officials stated that the juvenile was believed to be possibly traveling through Vanderburgh County.
Officials say deputies were able to find a vehicle in the BOL description traveling north on U.S. Highway 41. A traffic stop was conducted near the intersection of 41 and Volkman Road.
Inside the vehicle was the missing teen, a male juvenile, and an adult male identified as 21-year-old Pedro Rodrigo Sebastian Mateo of Champaign, Illinois.
Officials say Mateo had an outstanding felony warrant related to his involvement with the missing juvenile from Alabama.
He was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Vanderburgh County Jail pending extradition to Alabama.
Copyright 2024 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
May 27, 2025
GULF SHORES Ala. Property crimes including vehicle break-ins, burglaries, and thefts rise during school summer vacations and holiday breaks according to law enforcement and a recent study done in 2023.
Juvenile crime tends to increase during the summer months due to several factors, including increased opportunities, less supervision, and potential involvement in risky activities. Studies show a significant rise in offenses like theft, drug/alcohol violations, and curfew violations during summer breaks.
While school breaks themselves don’t necessarily lead to crime, research suggests that school absences, particularly suspensions, and the changes in routines associated with school breaks can increase the risk of juvenile crime.
No doubt you’ve probably heard the old saying “”idle hands are the devil’s workshop” which does play into crime trends, especially property crimes.
While juvenile crimes do increase over winter and holiday breaks, a more substantial increase happens during the much longer summer break which can be between 10 to 12 weeks, which is roughly 2.5 to 3 months.
That’s a long time for many teenagers to keep themselves busy especially in home environments where both parents work or in a single-parent household.
Sometimes teens are involved in crimes of opportunities where they find themselves facing temptations, such as with keys being left in the ignition of a motor vehicle or a neighborhood house with open windows. Of course, neither one of those situations gives anyone the right to commit a crime, but it does allow the teens to face certain decisions that they’ve never faced before and sometimes they make the wrong one.
For decades, law enforcement has known that the hours immediately after school, or on certain school breaks, when parents are less likely to be available to provide supervision, are the times when kids are more likely to commit or be victims of crime or to engage in risky behaviors.
Whether it’s committing crimes themselves or being victims of crime, teens who go unsupervised for long periods of time, do find themselves in situations that may be difficult for them to overcome.
One study showed that 26 percent of juvenile crimes occur between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. during the school year and 35 percent increase in juvenile crimes during the months of June, July, and August and that frequent offenses included assault, theft, and drug-related crimes, robberies, burglaries and even homicide.
There are four main types of juvenile delinquency — individual, group-supported, organized, and situational. Individual delinquency refers to one child committing an act on his or her own, with the argument that delinquency is caused by family problems.
However, another growing trend among juveniles is “gang affiliation. Often such gangs are locally grown, neighborhood gangs made up of teens 15-20 years old and as young as 12 or younger. They mainly seek to control a neighborhood, a street block or replicate what larger gangs such as the Crips, Bloods, MS-13, or others are known for, selling drugs, or committing robberies and murders.
Young children today are carrying firearms in big cities and rural communities and participating in violent crimes.
Supervision, discipline, and love are the keys to preventing children from going from being on the right track to falling off the track.
During school breaks and longer summer vacations, it’s important to be part of the child’s daily life, knowing their schedule and whereabouts and who they’re spending time with, and showing them love and your concern for their safety and well-being at all times.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
May 24, 2025
GULF SHORES Ala. These days drivers have become accustomed to the
emergency flashing lights of police vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances that often come from behind us or from the opposite direction and we know to pull to the right.
Recently, with the large amount of construction happening in our area, other vehicles are also on our roadways with flashing lights. But these, are not emergency vehicles and drivers do not have to give them the right-of-way.
Green, clear, and yellow lights, are frequently being operated by construction vehicles, up and down local roads and the Interstates.
Some of these vehicles have been seen speeding, tailgating and in one incident, honking their horn while riding on the bumper of the vehicle in front of them.
Construction vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger cars that are either owned by a business or by the operator of the vehicle may operate these lights only when they are on private property such as a shopping mall or construction site, or while parked on the side of the road at a worksite and only for safety purposes according to county and state law enforcement.
In one incident, a woman traveling northbound on County Rd 27/US Highway 181 from the Magnolia Springs area to the Fairhope Walmart, noticed a white pick-up truck with a green and white lightbar that was flashing bright, and lights in the truck’s window and clear lights flashing from the grill area.
At first, the driver thought it might be law enforcement or an emergency vehicle, as the truck was following very closely behind her.
The woman reported that the incident shook her up.
Other vehicles including tow trucks, dump trucks, some freight haulers, or vehicles with wide loads also use yellow flashing lights to warn drivers of the dangers when trying to pass these vehicles.
In Alabama, even volunteer firefighters cannot use red lights or sirens on their private vehicles when responding to service calls.
Generally in Alabama, most law enforcement use either all blue or a combination of red and blue emergency lights on their government vehicles.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
May 13, 2025
DAPHNE, Ala. Since February, residents in Daphne and Spanish Fort have been on high alert for roaming coyotes that are killing their pets and wild animals alike.
One Daphne resident told us in March that her husband watched two coyotes chase down two cats, killing them before carrying them away.
Another area resident reported seeing a coyote play tag with a bunny before killing it and then dragging it away.
During this time, coyotes were more active because it was mating season which typically occurs from January to March. During this time, coyotes are more active, vocal (howling), and may appear more aggressive, especially when protecting their territory or finding mates. This period also overlaps with when female coyotes are pregnant and raising pups, which can further increase their activity and vigilance.
But now in May, pets are still disappearing, and some have been found mutilated and there is evidence coyotes are to blame according to area residents in Daphne.
Coyotes have been known to attack children and adults alike and can be aggressive if you come close to their territory.
Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune said that the problem surfaced last year, but some residents were reluctant to allow trapping on their property but as the problem has persisted, the council has now given approval for setting traps and the trapping will be done by the Wildlife Solutions company. It’s not a permanent solution, but it can help. Until then, he asks Daphne residents “to be vigilant, to watch, look at your surroundings, keep your small animals in. Do the best you can with your cats.
Coyotes have also been seen in Fairhope and in Spanish Fort in recent months and are known to be in many areas of Baldwin County.
The city of Mobile has also reported that have been dealing with ongoing issues with the growing coyote population for years.
In Alabama, coyote hunting is legal both day and night on privately owned or leased land with the proper license. There is no closed season or bag limit for coyotes. A special nighttime feral swine and coyote hunting license is required for nighttime hunting on private or leased land. Landowners and their residents or immediate family are exempt from licensing requirements for hunting coyotes on their own property during daylight hours.
Copyright 2025 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media
May 11, 2025
GULF SORES, Ala. As with most things in life, there are pros and cons with almost everything. And sometimes we must be willing to give up or do without certain things to receive something that we need more at that time.
High-density apartment life is not for everyone and has many drawbacks but they do provide basic shelter, some conveniences, and amenities that are needed for basic survival, and on certain properties, you can even find luxurious living if you’re willing to pay for it.
Apartment living can include multiple swimming pools and jacuzzies, fully equipped gyms, lavish clubhouses, and even golf courses!
Properties nationwide have also added secured entrances to the property, security technology such as surveillance cameras, security guards, and burglar alarm systems in each unit.
In a nationwide apartment crime survey conducted about three years ago, Baldwin County multi-unit complexes fared much better than many others in the country, scoring a high mark of 74 % when it came to safety and security. And although that’s a high C grade in most school systems, here in the real world, it still shows a lot of room for improvement.
While it is still true that Baldwin County’s crime rate is far below many similar-sized areas, but the fact is that crime, especially violent offenses and those that are drug related, or those that involve property crimes, are rising within the county and elsewhere in the State of Alabama.
Looking at crime statistics for apartments within the county over the past three years, we found that there had been at least eight shootings, including three homicides and four attempted murders.
Of those shootings, five have occurred in Daphne including two at the same complex.
One happened on Easter Sunday 2024 and it included the murder of one person and the attempted murder of a second person.
The second double shooting occurred just thirteen months later on April 29th, 2025, at the same apartment complex, the Audubon Park Apartments at 8160 County Road 64.
This double shooting was the result of a drug transaction and three persons have now been arrested and charged with attempted murder and robbery.
Other crimes such as vehicle break-ins, trespassing, drug activity, and disturbances have also been reported at this apartment complex.
There was also a fatal shooting that involved an FBI agent in Gulf Shores at an apartment complex in December 2024 while serving warrants on a tenant who was armed.
Robberies and burglaries in apartment complexes were low compared to other larger cities but at least three robberies have been reported including one that was reported at the Fly Creek Apartments located at 300 Fly Creek Ave in Fairhope on Thanksgiving Day in 2024. Fairhope police later arrested three people for that crime.
We also found that there had been at least eight suicide threats, or attempted suicides during the same timeframe including one that had occurred while we were researching these statistics this past week.
Where there is people, there will be differences and sometimes those differences can lead to conflicts, disturbances, or even violence.
Calls to police about neighborhood disputes are not uncommon and police often are called in to play referee.
Many of the calls that police respond to at apartment complexes are similar to those responded to at single-family homes and include family disputes, break-ins, or property crimes including thefts and prowling.
In part three of our investigative series, we’ll cover resident rights, property owner’s responsibilities, and how to better protect your family.
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