July 14, 2004
July 14, 2004
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today outlined a new zero tolerance policy designed to reduce the growing gun violence in Detroit and across the state by sending parolees back to prison if they possess a gun or associate with people who carry guns. The new policy takes effect immediately.
“Protecting the citizens of this great state is our number one priority, and we are committed to reducing gun violence in Detroit and in every community around this state,” Granholm said. “We have a very clear message today to parolees under the state’s supervision: If you pick up a gun or associate with people who carry guns, you will go back to prison.”
Granholm noted that state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies will work collaboratively to target and aggressively pursue offenders possessing firearms. The state’s zero tolerance policy was endorsed by Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the city’s Police Chief, Ella Bully-Cummings; Wayne County officials, including Executive Robert Ficano, Sheriff Warren C. Evans, and Prosecutor Kym Worthy; and U.S. Attorney Jeffrey G. Collins, all of whom joined the Governor for the announcement.
The state is creating a new, five-year “gun continuance” that will apply to the 17,000 prisoners on parole in Michigan. Under that policy, if a parolee is found in possession of a gun or associating with someone possessing a firearm, they will be returned to prison to continue their sentence for five years or for the remainder of their maximum sentence.
Also, every parolee found in possession of a gun or found associating with individuals who possess guns will be referred to the county prosecutor or U.S. Attorney for swift and appropriate prosecution.
The 57,000 felons on probation in Michigan will also be subject to the new zero tolerance policy on guns. Under the policy, if a probationer is found possessing a firearm, probation agents will recommend to the courts the maximum penalty allowable by law.
Granholm said the state will hire more parole/probation agents to provide increased supervision of offenders and enhance public safety. In addition to filling 33 positions, 24 assigned to Wayne County, the Department of Corrections has established 41 new parole/probation agent positions statewide. The process for filling those positions is either underway or will begin shortly.
Granholm said the state will work collaboratively to target and aggressively pursue offenders possessing firearms through greater information sharing between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as well as the Michigan Department of Corrections. Additionally, the state expects to increase fugitive sweeps, unannounced searches of offenders’ residences and enhanced surveillance by law enforcement officers.
Finally, the Michigan Department of Corrections will also enhance its efforts with Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal nationwide program aimed at reducing gun crime. Safe Neighborhoods is an important gun violence prevention initiative that uses a three-pronged approach which includes expanding prevention programs, increasing enforcement of the existing gun laws, and implementing a long-term public awareness campaign.
The Michigan Department of Corrections has been involved in this program for the past three years and intends to continue to work with the state’s PSN partners to take full advantage of this program.
“Let this be a warning to the criminals who are destroying our neighborhoods by engaging in gun violence,” Granholm said. “We are targeting you, and we will find you. We will remove you from the streets, and we will make our communities safer.”
