The News Room [News Archive]
Evans
sends deputies back into Highland Park ---
Sheriff’s Office
answers city’s call for help in arresting sex offenders, violent
fugitives during 3-day blitz
The
city of Highland Park once again is enjoying a significant police
presence this week as Wayne County sheriff’s deputies and
state police officers blanket the city to patrol streets and
round up scores of wanted criminals. More than 50 officers are
targeting known sex offenders who have not registered their current
address, as well as violent fugitives and drug traffickers.
The highly
concentrated three-day effort, which comes at the request of
the Highland Park Department of Public Safety, runs from January
21-23. Sheriff Warren Evans says this approach is part of his
commitment to develop partnerships to provide more effective
law enforcement.
"Each
community has a right to police protection and an expectation
of basic public safety - and Highland Park is no exception," Evans
said. "By working with the city, State Police, the US Marshal
Service and other law enforcement agencies in this surgical fashion,
I believe we will be able to help restore some faith in the community."
So far, the
numbers have been impressive, Evans said. By the end of the second
day of the operation, officers had made 32 arrests, with charges
ranging from drug trafficking to armed robbery and other violent
assaults.
Evans said
he was approached recently by Highland Park public safety director
Melvin Turner, who asked if the county could commit a large number
of officers to provide a full-scale police presence in the city
for several days. Evans, who has led several similar operations,
immediately agreed.
The coordinated
effort includes the identification and arrest of known violent
fugitives, a crack down on street-level drug sales and a visible
street presence. In addition, officers are going to the homes
of known sex offenders to make sure they actually reside at that
address. If the individual has moved and not registered the new
address, deputies will request a felony warrant for their arrest.
In all, 52
officers will be on the street during the days of January 21-23,
including
24 Wayne County
Sheriff Warrant Enforcement officers
5 Wayne County Sheriff Road Patrol officers
4 Wayne County Sheriff Narcotics officers
4 Wayne County Transportation officers
12 Michigan State Police Officers
1 US Deputy Marshal
1 City of Taylor Police officer
1 City of Livonia Police officer
Although this
high-level effort is lasting just three days, Evans said he feels
it will make an impact.
"We know
for a fact that a large number of high-risk violent felons who
were on the street last week will be in a jail cell next week," Evans
said. "It is my sincere hope that this partnership will
continue and the Sheriff’s Office will maintain a presence
in Highland Park until it gets back on its feet."
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