Sept. 22, 2006

Lansing – State and local law enforcement officers continued Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s commitment to protecting Michigan’s children and families by participating in Project S.A.F.E. (Statewide Apprehension of Fugitives Effort) Street, which is an ongoing effort to arrest violent parole absconders.  The most recent sweep, conducted Sept. 12 - 14, resulted in 171 arrests, of which 100 were parole violators and 32 were parole absconders.

“Protecting Michigan’s families is a priority for this administration,” Granholm said. “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement agencies, our communities are a little safer today. Our message has been and continues to be clear: violent probationers and parolees who do no meet their responsibilities will not be allowed to threaten the safety of our children, our families or our communities.”

Project S.A.F.E. Street is a joint effort among the Michigan State Police (MSP), the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and local and federal law enforcement to arrest violent offenders known to be in violation of parole and who pose a threat to public safety. 

This sweep included parole violations for armed robbery, resisting arrest, bank robbery, larceny, home invasion, carrying a concealed weapon and breaking and entering.

“The Michigan State Police remains relentless in our efforts to keep Michigan families safe by working with our law enforcement partners to remove dangerous offenders from the streets,” said Col. Peter C. Munoz, director of the MSP.  “When parole violators are arrested during coordinated statewide sweeps like Project S.A.F.E. Street or as part of the daily work of our fugitive teams, we are sending a message that we will not allow criminals to evade the law.”

The MSP and MDOC organized the September sweep with assistance from 20 county sheriff’s departments, 40 local police departments, one federal agency and five out of state agencies.  A total of 2,270 fugitives have been arrested since Project S.A.F.E. Street began in March 2003.

"Law enforcement agencies working together is the best way I know of keeping our citizens and neighborhoods safe", said MDOC Director Patricia L. Caruso.