State and local law enforcement officers arrested 205 fugitives during the 19^th Project S.A.F.E. (Statewide Apprehension of Fugitives Effort) Street sweep, conducted March 11 - 13.  The initiative is a quarterly effort of the Granholm Administration aimed at arresting violent parole absconders.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm established Project S.A.F.E. Street in 2003, in an effort to improve public safety in Michigan by encouraging the state's law enforcement agencies to work together.  The initiative 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 project continues to be a great success due to the tremendous efforts by our investigators, State Police personnel and law enforcement officers from across the state," said MDOC Director Patricia L. Caruso.  "When we all work together and share information we maximize our potential to ensure these offenders are captured and brought to justice so they may no longer threaten Michigan citizens."

Of the 205 arrests, 58 were parole violators, 27 were parole absconders and two were probation violators.  The sweep also included arrests for assault and battery, breaking and entering, domestic violence, forgery, fraud, identity theft, larceny, possession of marijuana, and resisting/obstructing.

"Special efforts such as this are just one more way law enforcement is collaborating to ensure the safety of Michigan families," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, Director of the MSP.

The MSP and MDOC organized the March sweep with assistance from 27 county sheriff's departments, 34 local police departments, the U.S. Marshals Service, and law enforcement agencies from Arizona and Texas.

A total of 3,371 fugitives have been arrested since Project S.A.F.E. Street began in March 2003.