Governor Whitmer announces investment to reduce crime, support local law enforcement

LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – With gun violence on the rise in Michigan and elsewhere in the United States, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a new plan Monday to help curb violence and increase public safety statewide.

The announcement comes while city officials in Kalamazoo are working with law enforcement to curb a recent spike in gun violence, which is said to be involving youth at an increasing rate.

It also comes as the City of Benton Harbor is planning on deploying more Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers to help combat a spike in violent crime.

Whitmer’s proposal, known as the “MI Safe Communities investment, would utilize American Rescue Plan dollars for funding.

“Every Michigander, no matter where they live or who they are, deserves to live safely. As a former prosecutor, I am committed to protecting public safety and reducing crime so we can build strong, vibrant communities together,” Whitmer said. “We must put Michiganders first by investing in law enforcement officers, getting illegal guns off our streets, and pursuing investments in jobs, justice, and education. I will work with anyone to bring down crime and help Michiganders feel safe in their community. Together, we can build a safer, more just Michigan where every family can thrive, where every kid can get a great education, and where every person has a path to a good-paying, high-skill job.”

Throughout the past month, Governor Whitmer says that she and her administration have met with police officers, community leaders, faith leaders and families to gather as many perspectives as possible to ensure that these policies would be reflective and inclusive of views from around Michigan.

Governor Whitmer says she remains committed to working with law enforcement officers, police organizations and unions to help them better serve communities across Michigan.

Governor Whitmer’s public safety proposal includes investing more money into Michigan’s police departments to strengthen training policies and programs and foster collaboration between the Michigan State Police and local departments on specialty services.

The second aspect of Governor Whitmer’s proposal focuses on getting illegal guns off the streets. Governor Whitmer also proposes increasing the number of visiting judges to tackle the backlog which has piled up during the pandemic, to ensure folks get the due process faster and ensure justice in their community.

Governor Whitmer’s proposal includes holistic investments to expand opportunity through state education, jobs and justice system.

Through a partnership with the Biden Administration, Detroit is one of fifteen jurisdictions nationally boosting investment in Collaborative Community Violence Intervention Programs, which help prevent retaliatory violence.

Investment in hospital-based violence intervention programs helps to provide counseling, peer support, mediation, and social services to hospital patients recovering from violent injuries and prevent further violence and injuries.

“Detroit and cities across the state are working every day to address violent crime and we appreciate the Governor’s leadership and partnership. Her plan to provide additional funding in these critical areas will be a great boost to our efforts to make our communities safer,” Mayor Mike Duggan said.

This news also comes as a Kalamazoo County Deputy, Deputy Ryan Proxmire, was shot and killed over the weekend. More on that story can be viewed here.