KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Beginning this weekend, local law enforcement officials are launching their Safe Summer 2024 program in Kalamazoo to curb gun violence. The overarching message was accountability.
In making the announcement of the program last week, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten said “There can be no question that the problem of gun violence across the United States is an epidemic.”
Under the program, Totten says they are committing to federally prosecute all federal firearms offenses that involve a “crime gun.”
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the program is one way officials will address the increase in gun violence seen during the summer.
Totten says prosecutions targeted in the program will involve a federal firearm offense and cases that involve crime guns. He says those are guns that have previously been fired in the commission of a crime.
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen says they have already seen progress in efforts to curb gun violence, with “significant reductions in shooting incidents and shots fired and victims over this time last year.”
While summertime usually bring a rise in gun violence in Kalamazoo, Boysen warned criminals, “We’re telling you upfront that we’re going to work closely with our federal partners and make sure that you will face increased risk of federal prosecution unless you put the guns down.”
Boysen says KDPS will also continue to increase patrols and work with schools and local groups to keep shootings down.
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