Birmingham police are facing scrutiny after acknowledging they should have shut down a massive backyard pool party sooner, following an incident that drew more than 100 attendees to a quiet residential street last weekend.
The party took place on June 13 in the 300 block of Westchester Way, where a private residential pool had reportedly been rented out to a third party for the event. City officials say the arrangement violated local zoning regulations, which restrict commercial-style gatherings in residential areas.
By the time officers arrived and broke up the crowd, the street was packed with vehicles and partygoers, some of whom appeared visibly intoxicated. Several citations were issued, including to the homeowner and the promoter who had organized the rental.
Birmingham Police Chief Scott Grewe addressed the incident publicly, admitting the department’s response came later than it should have. He said the city is committed to protecting neighborhood safety and quality of life, and pledged that future events requiring police intervention will be handled with supervision in place to ensure safe and orderly dispersal.
Neighbors say this wasn’t an isolated event. Several residents claim the home has hosted similar gatherings in the past, with the pool reportedly listed on a rental platform for short-term use. One neighbor said the only difference this time was that the organizer finally got caught.
During a city commission meeting held days after the party, Birmingham’s mayor admitted the city had failed to prevent the situation from escalating.
Residents living nearby say they’re now worried about safety, especially given how many children live on the block.
The incident comes just months after a shooting broke out at another short-term rental property in the city, when a gathering attracted a large crowd of teens and a dispute escalated into gunfire, leading to multiple arrests.
City officials say stronger oversight of rental properties may now be under consideration.
