May 11, 2006

Lends Support to Crime Fighting Operation

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the state of Michigan is partnering with the city of Detroit, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, the Wayne County Sherriff’s Office, the United States Attorney for Eastern Michigan, and a host of other federal agencies by dedicating additional resources to help stop violent crime, particularly gun crime, in the city of Detroit.

“I am pleased to bring the full resources of my office, the Michigan State Police (MSP), and the Michigan Department of Corrections to this unprecedented initiative to protect our citizens,” Granholm said.  “It is imperative that we work together to strengthen our communities and save lives.”

Granholm said that as of this week, the departments of Corrections and Michigan State Police are placing additional resources into northwest Detroit and three other “hot spots” in Detroit experiencing the highest percentage of violent crime. 

In addition to stepped up patrols by State Police, state parole agents are working with law enforcement officers to comb the area throughout the day and night to apprehend absconders and parole violators. 

In addition to directing additional Corrections and MSP personnel into the area, the state is providing $1 million to fund overtime for city and county law enforcement officers and the apprehension of absconders. 

The Governor’s actions support Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s strategy to reduce violent crimes in the city of Detroit using the intelligence and resources of all law enforcement agencies, which he announced in his 2006 State of the City Address.

“The state of Michigan is committed to helping end the violent crime that has plagued Detroit residents in recent months,” Granholm said.  “Citizens deserve an expectation of safety in their homes and on the street.  Indeed – citizens deserve more than an expectation; they have a right to be safe, and our team is working to protect that right.” 

In an innovative approach, the Governor also noted that the Department of Corrections will focus on working with offenders before they are released from prison to help them avoid falling into criminal behavior when they return to the community.  There will be increased coordination with community groups and state agencies under the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI) to provide employment opportunities, substance abuse programming, and other services before and during prisoners’ re-entry to the community.
 
The state’s efforts are part of an overall strategy of enforcement, prevention, and public awareness and incorporates the resources of the Detroit Police, Wayne County Sheriff, Wayne County Prosecutor, Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Corrections, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, U.S. Marshals Office, and Federal Bureau of Investigations.

Granholm said there will also be increased outreach to offenders to clearly communicate enhanced penalties and enhanced capability to track, investigate, prosecute, and incarcerate through face-to-face meetings with groups of offenders.
 
A critical component to the state’s effort is the commitment from Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy to ensure swift and certain prosecution of offenders and violators.
 
“If you’re a parolee using a gun, here is our message:  We’re coming after you,” Granholm said.  “We’re going to dog you, and if we find you have a gun or are using a gun or are hanging with someone who owns a gun, we are going to bus you back to prison.