A CALL TO JUSTICE

Access is obviously not a political publication. In fact, given the current climate,
we’re a break from the boxing ring with stories about locals who make positive contributions to this community. As the editor, I’ve learned when you get a group together, they typically have more in common than they don’t, especially as it relates to our community. So, knowing our readership, I want to talk local crime and brag about my friend.

By Hayley Hill Photos Stevye Murray, StevyePhotography.com

Crime is a popular issue. Even Mobile’s Mayor Sandy Stimpson has said the current prosecution system is failing as we continue to hear about increased shootings from Airport Boulevard to our beloved downtown. As a parent, this is upsetting to say the least. And it seems most are either chatting away about it or they’re in a state of hoping for the best. Me? I do a bit of both.

 Wanting clarity, I’m compelled to write about a man I met years ago when I was fresh from the streets of NYC and before Access was a thing. Not yet settled on Southern soil, I navigated new friendships and traditions that would take time and experience to fully understand. Now happily acclimated, I realize there’s been one constant in my journey. That unshakable rock-solid absolute is Buzz Jordan.

 I met Buzz soon after relocating, and he’s the kind of person you don’t forget. In business, from marketing to product development, the ultimate goal is about being genuine. I don’t relate to this as it’s never occurred to me to be anything other than genuine. However, I guess some need to be told. But, for Buzz, being genuine is without a doubt in his DNA. Instantly engaged and all in, offering advice or a helping hand, Buzz truly cares—a lot and about everyone. I’ve only known a few people like this. It’s a short list with Buzz at the top.

 Maybe it’s the eye contact and gentle demeanor or the fact that he wholeheartedly believes that change is possible and able to make those around him feel it, too. When I talk to him, it’s as if I’m the only person in the room. Try as I might, I’ve never mastered this to his level. 

 After giving Mobile’s crime rate Google spin, I learned it has a big fat “F” grade with a total crime rate sitting at 138% above the national average and 69% when it comes to violent crimes. And the Mobile Police Department just released its official 2021 Crime Report that shows  violent crime (murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery and carjacking) is up nearly 19% and that last year was the deadliest year on record in Mobile. Yikes. So, I decided to reach out to Buzz to ask him for his story since he’s running for District Attorney in Mobile and the Primary vote is just around the corner on May 24th. Over a casual lunch, he answered all my concerned-mom questions. Stating my frustration at feeling my votes never add up to direct changes in my life, he assured me this one will.

 And he’s right. Voting for our District Attorney directly impacts the safety of our community whether you live in Spring Hill, Midtown, or West Mobile. After all, who doesn’t drive up and down Airport Boulevard? So, due to current conditions, it’s possible that no vote matters more than this one. “The DA’s office is very powerful. Many think the courts control the grand jury, but the DA’s office does,” Buzz confirms.

 Hitting pause, a district attorney, also known as a state attorney, is a law professional who represents the state and county in criminal cases in local courts. They impact investigating, presenting, and sentencing cases against suspected lawbreakers. Simply put, they take criminals off our streets and put them behind bars. The grand jury is typically a jury of 23 people chosen to examine the validity of an accusation before trial to ensure the court’s time isn’t wasted.

 The majority of us know this, but the typical low turnout for local elections suggests otherwise. Knowing Buzz as a superhuman, I wondered about his reasons for wanting such a tough job, since he has a well-established law practice. “I, too, live in Mobile, and I want violent criminals off our streets. I want them tried and prosecuted immediately. The failure to prioritize violent and repeat criminals who remain out of jail versus nonviolent offenders is a bad policy for all of us. This literally allows them back on our streets where they commit more crimes, witnesses disappear, and the opportunity for their removal for our safety diminishes. Unfortunately, this is what’s happening,” he shares.

 Asking Buzz if he can really do this, he says, “Make no mistake, as far as crime is concerned, my approach is extremely aggressive, and I’ll stop at nothing to make our streets safe. It can be done. For example, as a parent, which criminal do you want off the street first—the person charged with marijuana possession or the person charged with shooting someone? The fact that the current backlog of more than 140 murder cases are stuck in the DA’s office, with the number continuing to increase, is unacceptable. That equals too many criminals out on bond on our streets awaiting indictment—this is the very definition of insanity. There’s no reason for these delays; it’s a matter of leadership and prioritizing,” Buzz explains.

 So, what’s his plan? “The solutions for making these changes lie in my experience. I not only worked as assistant DA for a decade, I have an additional 20-plus years of unmatched experience in private practice defending the broken families on the receiving end of these violent crimes. I’m mad for them and our citizens. This is why I’m running as the ‘90-Day DA.’ I know I can use my skills and the power of the office to prioritize and expedite the grand jury, the courts, and law enforcement to ensure violent criminals are prioritized and indicted in less than 90 days. There’s no logical reason for it to take longer,” he firmly states.

 With long-established relationships, Buzz has been furthering his plan by working with law professionals to create what’s being referred to as a “Rocket Docket.” These dockets will be the top priority of the court, I can assure you, and those I’ve discussed this with are excited by it,” he adds, not afraid to throw the hammer down.

 Further expanding on his experience, it’s important to know Buzz tried over 220 jury trials with a 95% conviction rate in ten years as an assistant district attorney. As an original member of the DA’s Murder Team, Buzz worked closely with the police department. “The Murder Team focused on prosecuting horrific crimes—that’s all we did. I took those crimes personally and will continue to do so as it ensures those criminals will pay the price. I’m coming for them,” Buzz assures me.

 We also talk about his training and years of experience spent in prosecuting child abuse cases and how he worked closely with not only the police department but the Child Advocacy Center when it was first organized. It’s wild to compare all the bad he’s witnessed to his kind nature. I’m reminded of driftwood. It’s oddly so smooth, yet you know it’s so tough to have weathered the storms it clearly has.

 Buzz is also a small business owner. No Mardi Gras season would be complete without a trip to his A & M Peanut Shop on lower Dauphin Street, where the 100-year-old roaster still cranks to this day. As we stopped for a picture in Bienville Square we met a little boy wearing, of all things, a Buzz Lightyear shirt. A famed character from the iconic Toy Story film series, Buzz shook his hand and asked his mom for photo-op permission. After a few clicks, Buzz sent the family off to the peanut shop for goodies on the house. And, because that’s who Buzz is, he’s donating 10% of his salary as District Attorney to a program he’ll put into place when elected called “Kids and Cops.”

 Through this program is how we get to know the real Buzz. “I come from very humble beginnings, even though I didn’t know it at the time. Growing up in Orlando, Florida, my dad was a career Navy man, and my mom raised my three siblings and me to be kind to everyone. The YMCA was my second home, and I can recall all those around me that impacted my life, from the teachers and religious leaders to the coaches, police, and even the crossing guards I got to know when walking to school. Getting to help a teacher or being picked as a crossing guard helper and wearing that vest made me feel special; things like that meant the world to me. I had so many people to look up to. I want that for our children, too,” he shares.

 Wondering how we’ve gotten so far away from that world, Buzz recalls the famed words of President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” came up. Buzz remembers that very day and knows that world and those words inspire him to bring peace to our streets. In fact, he spent over 20 years volunteering to make a difference. As past president and board member of the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama and a former counselor and director of the Salvation Army Summer Camp, to work with the Mobile Optimist and Lion Clubs, to the YMCA and the Police Benevolent Association, his proof is in his past.

His Kids and Cops program is a result of having witnessed the lives of countless kids changed when given role models and a place to go and feel safe. He will initiate what he’s learned firsthand—the best way to reduce crime is to address its root causes. “I have civic contacts all over the city and plan on reaching out to each and every one of them so we can work together to establish positive relationships and role models for our youth. Getting our kids to respect law enforcement and to engage with other civic leaders like the police, fire fighters, the Drug Education Council, teachers, church leaders, veterans, and more is an opportunity to unite our community and impact our youth,” he clarifies.  

 Additionally, Buzz is committed to complete transparency. “We have a wonderful mayor; he’s done great things for the city with a lot of transparency. I will also be very visible by hosting a monthly press conference to ensure everyone knows our progress each month,” Buzz confirms.

 Understanding how his community service spirit took hold, I asked him what initially drew him to the law. “I had a civics class assignment in the 9th grade. I had to write about the career I wanted to pursue, and the first thing that popped into my head was the big TV show at the time, Perry Mason. My dad and I watched the courtroom drama together and when I told him about my project, he set up an opportunity for me to interview a local lawyer. Between Perry Mason and all the lawyer had to say, I was hooked!” he laughs.

 Prior to law school, Buzz was actually hired as a teacher by his junior high school principal. He loved it and credits his organizational skills to teaching, but he knew he had to go to law school. “After law school, the only job I wanted was to clerk for a United States federal judge, and Mobile’s Judge William Brevard Hand hired me in 1982. From there, I fell in love with Mobile and have called it home ever since,” he explains.

 Whew, this is a big job. But Buzz keeps going. “Baldwin County has a very successful Veterans’ Court, where they ensure our veterans get the proper help for everything from toxin screenings to treatment for mental health issues like PTSD and addiction. Mobile needs a Veterans’ Court, and I will get it established, too. We need to look at crimes against the elderly, corruption, the 15–25-year-olds easily and illegally getting guns, our low school scores, rise in suicide, and so much more. Yes, there’s a lot of work to be done, but from my years of experience I can say the DA’s office is a powerful platform for change. Now, it simply needs 25-plus years of community experience and leadership to effect positive change.” And, with no sign of stopping, there you have it—the man that’s accepted homemade meatloaf as payment for his legal services, my friend Buzz. To infinity and beyond, Buzz.

BuzzJordanDA.com | 1111 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36604 | 251.432.5400

PD. POL. AD BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT BUZZ JORDAN

DISTRICT ATTORNEY 1111 DAUPHIN STREET / MOBILE 36604