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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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