Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (center) brought together law enforcement and community leaders for the first public safety roundtable in Flint on Wednesday.
(Photo courtesy of Michigan Executive Office of the Governor)
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday led a roundtable discussion in Flint with local and state law enforcement officials, community leaders, and elected officials to address public safety and put Michigan’s safety first.
“Every Michigander should feel safe living in their communities, whether they’re going to work, picking up their kids from school, grabbing groceries, or simply taking a walk around the block,” said Whitmer.
“As we work to put Michigan’s safety first. I am eager to work with local leaders and law enforcement professionals in Flint and across the state to protect public safety.”
Recently, Whitmer signed Senate Bill 27 to boost public safety and allocated $2.7 million in federal funding to the Secondary Road Patrol Program, which provides grants to county sheriff’s departments for the patrol of secondary roads.
Whitmer sent a letter last month to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland urging support for Michigan State Police’s (MSP) application for federal grant funding through the United States Department of Justice’s Community Policing Development De-Escalation Training Program to put safety first for our troopers and the communities they serve.
Whitmer has supported $1.4 billion in her budget recommendation for local governments which supports police, fire, and public safety, and created incentive programs to help communities hire and retain officers who live where they work. She allocated over $40 million in COVID hazard pay for local officers and first-responders. Whitmer also raised MSP budget and hired more MSP troopers, and provided $10.4 million in premium pay for MSP for exemplary service during COVID-19.
“I thank Governor Whitmer for coming to Flint to hear directly from community leaders about ways we can promote public safety. In Congress, I’m working to ensure our local law enforcement officials and community partners have the resources they need to address crime and violence,” said Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05). “The American Rescue Plan, passed by a Democratic Congress and signed into law by President Biden, provides almost $2 billion to communities across Michigan to support law enforcement and support community-led violence intervention programs. I will continue working with the Governor and local leaders to reduce gun violence and violent crime.”
“I am grateful to Governor Whitmer for taking steps to address the issue of rising crime,” said Genesee County Board of Commissioner Chair Mark Young. “I am dedicated to working together with our partners on the state, county, and local levels of government to improve public safety together.”
“Public safety encompasses the diverse needs of citizens, communities, and the nation as a whole. One of the pillars of public safety is countering crime,” said Michigan State Police Flint Post Commander Yvonne Brantley. “It is our job to protect communities, hold individuals accountable, and ensure justice. Gov. Whitmer has proven that her office supports those efforts by approving recruit schools for the Michigan State Police (MSP), ensuring that MSP is at the forefront of training, and allotting funding for local police and secondary road patrol. I am honored to be a part of the discussion as she addresses public safety within the city of Flint.”
“I am happy to receive so much support to identify opportunities on public safety for our city to reduce crime and gun violence,” Police Chief Terence Green said. “We’re in a crime and gun violence crisis so this is welcomed support.”
“As unfortunate as it is to witness so many lives loss, to senseless violence, I am optimistic that if all law enforcement agencies, governmental officials, and community partners pool all resources, and work together we will see a reduction in crime, the perpetrators apprehended and assist in helping the families cope with the loss of their love ones,” said Pastor Jeff Hawkins.
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