It's not just the temperatures rising this summer, online buying and selling is hot too. Which means more people are meeting strangers to complete transactions. If that's you, consider meeting at a safe location. As a reminder, the Homewood Police Department offers an official 'Community Meetup Spot' in the parking lot in their parking lot. The designated exchange area is located just to the left as you enter the parking lot and is marked by two parking spaces with green lines. It is a well lit area with security cameras, and of course, police officers all around you. This is an easy way to protect yourself and the other person.

Microtransit is now available for Homewood residents, adding an on-demand option to move around our city from the Birmingham Transit Authority (BJCTA). It works just like ride sharing whereby riders will be able to request a trip through an app and get picked up nearby, with routes designed in real time to keep trips efficient and wait times low. The service provides point-to-point transportation anywhere within the city limits for just $1.50 per trip. For more details, GO HERE. How this pilot program is being funded?  The initial phase, running from July 2026 through September 2027, is fully funded through the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham , at about $792,000. This allows the city to launch the service without immediate long-term cost commitments. After that, projected annual costs are expected to be around $610,000 to $630,000, depending on how the service is adjusted according to our needs. This pilot approach gives Homewood time to see how people actually use the system, where demand is strongest, and how the service can be refined. It also keeps flexibility built in, with the ability to adjust hours, coverage, and fleet size based on real data. You can VIEW THE PRESENTATION presented to the Council on April 13, 2026.