May 22, 2003

East Lansing - The Michigan State Police has announced that it will begin conducting high visibility enforcement blitzes in the City of Highland Park in partnership with the Highland Park Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. The blitzes will focus on reducing crime in Highland Park by aggressively enforcing traffic and criminal laws, giving special attention to narcotics, auto theft, weapons and drunk driving violations.

Troopers from the Detroit, Metro North, Metro South and Richmond posts will be joined by officers from the Highland Park Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department to conduct the high-visibility enforcement efforts.

"Putting additional officers on the streets of Highland Park should serve as a visual reminder that criminal behavior will not be tolerated in Highland Park," stated Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant. "The citizens of Highland Park deserve a safe and crime-free place to live. This joint local, county and state cooperative effort will not allow Highland Park to be a haven for criminals."

During the blitzes, troopers will also remove any tagged, abandoned vehicles that are observed within the city limits.

The State Police plan to coordinate fugitive sweeps in the upcoming months with the assistance of local, county and federal agencies. Undercover enforcement efforts aimed at narcotic trafficking, weapon sales, auto theft and other vice crimes are also planned.