July 19, 2005

Project S.A.F.E. Street June Sweep Most Successful to Date

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today praised efforts of the Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) that resulted in the capture of 201 violent parolees during a three-day sweep in late June.  The partnership, known as Project S.A.F.E. Street (Statewide Apprehension of Fugitives Effort), is a joint effort between the two state agencies and local law enforcement to arrest fugitives known to be in violation of their parole and who pose a threat to public safety.  The June sweep recorded the largest number of arrests since the program began in March 2003.

“Protecting Michigan citizens is critical,” Granholm said.  “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement agencies, hundreds of dangerous felons are off the streets.  Our message is clear:  violent probationers and parolees who fail to meet their responsibilities will not be allowed to threaten the safety of our children, our families or our communities.”

The June S.A.F.E Street sweep was conducted from June 28-30.  In addition to MSP and DOC officials, 14 county sheriff departments, 44 local police departments, and two federal agencies were involved.  Parole and probation violations included felonious assault, assault on a police officer, domestic violence, child neglect, and home invasion.  A sex offender was arrested in the presence of a minor.  Guns, drugs and ammunition were among the items confiscated in the sweep.

“The Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Corrections are committed to working with local and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure Michigan citizens are safe and violent parole absconders are returned to where they belong – prison,” said MSP Director Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant.
The June sweep was the seventh sweep conducted as a part of Project S.A.F.E Street.  The 201 fugitives captured brings the total number of violators arrested to 1,067. 

“We must match criminal behavior with an unrelenting commitment to protecting our citizens’ safety,” said DOC Director Patricia L. Caruso.  “That commitment is clearly demonstrated in the collaborative effort of the federal, state and local officials involved in this project.”

Project S.A.F.E. Street is just one of Governor Granholm’s initiatives to protect Michigan’s children and families.  This week marks the one-year anniversary of the Governor’s Zero Tolerance Gun Policy which has resulted in 65 felons being returned to prison for illegal gun possession.  In addition, the Governor has called on the Legislature to pass a “Protect our Children” Act to ensure that those who care for kids in schools, daycares and elsewhere are properly screened and to create “Predator Free Zones” around schools to keep known sex offenders away from children.

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