KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting is announcing his run for reelection.
He released a statement Thursday morning saying that more work needs to be done to hold dangerous criminals accountable while reforming the criminal justice system in Kalamazoo County and throughout the state.
Getting was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Kalamazoo County back in 2012 and then reelected in 2016. He was involved in some of Kalamazoo’s biggest cases like the convictions of Uber shooter Jason Dalton and Charles Pickett Jr. of the Kalamazoo bike tragedy.
In his statement Getting said, “We’ve been very busy these past four years, supporting vital reform efforts while also winning convictions in some of Kalamazoo’s most challenging cases, including the Dalton and Pickett cases. I remain committed to holding dangerous criminals accountable and supporting alternatives to incarceration for people with substance use disorders, mental illness and trauma survivors.”
Throughout his time as the Prosecutor he has worked to reduce gun violence through the Group Violence Intervention program and has continued reform efforts that expand rehabilitative programs such as KPEP’s Walnut & Park Coffee Shop and Washington Square Diner Project.
Getting has also supported the Raise the Age initiative, changing the juvenile court jurisdiction from 17 to 18-years-old to reduce the number of youth being charged as adults, as well as the creation of a program to support trauma survivors and children in the criminal justice system.
Getting has been endorsed by State Senator Sean McCann, State Representative Jon Hoadley and Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller.
“Jeff has been a leader in criminal justice reform efforts such as Raise the Age, reentry programs that reduce recidivism while giving meaning and purpose to people’s lives, and support for survivors and victims,” said Representative Hoadley.
McCann praised Getting by saying “Jeff’s leadership in Kalamazoo County puts us in the vanguard of criminal justice reform and his commitment to safe neighborhoods makes Kalamazoo a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
Sheriff Fuller also released a statement. “Jeff is a superb Prosecuting Attorney – and I’ve worked with several. He’s tough, he’s fair and he supports vital alternatives to incarceration for trauma survivors, the mentally ill and people with substance use disorders. Jeff has been a great partner to the Sheriff’s Office.”
If elected this would be Getting’s third, four year term. He is also the only candidate that has officially announced he is running so far.
