The Andalusia Police Department had fewer calls for service, fewer burglaries, fewer theft cases, and no murders in 2025, Police Chief Paul Hudson told the Andalusia City Council this past week.

Of the 13,838 calls answered by the APD in 2025, approximately a third, or 4,475 of those were traffic stops, from which 1,341 citations and 217 warnings were issued.

Hudson said burglary cases decreased from 66 to 49 in 2025; theft of property decreased from 337 to 284 cases in 2025; and there were no murders in 2025, compared with one in 2024.

All told, the department made 555 arrests in 2025, 34 of which were for DUIs.

“That averages 1,153 calls a month,” Hudson said.

The council met in an extended workshop session to set goals for the current quadrennium, and asked department heads to discuss anticipated needs.

Hudson expressed his appreciation for the investments made in equipment for the department, and especially for additional cameras.

“Y’all approved our camera system in December of 2024, and it is now all installed,” he said. “Since it’s been installed, we’ve made five cases using them. It’s been very useful in just a short period of time.”

 Hudson said he currently is researching the issuing of photo tickets, and using AI to help analyze traffic footage.

“We’re not trying to be a speed trap,” he said, adding that at the busiest times, making traffic stops on the bypass could make it less safe.

He said a system he’s investigating to help analyze traffic data could save officers hours of time.

“Right now, if we’re looking for a certain color and style of a vehicle in relation to a crime, we have to watch footage from numerous cameras, and that takes a a lot of time,” he said. “If we can implement this system, it could help us solve crimes more quickly.”

Hudson said he also is researching the possibility of asking the council to address a new ordinance addressing the feral cat population, an issue Councilman Terry Powell has put on the table for discussion numerous times. He said one of his constituents has a serious problem in his yard because his neighbor feeds a large number of feral cats.

Hudson said one possible solution is to fine anyone caught feeding a feral colony, as they are potentially helping create a nuisance.