During the 20th Project S.A.F.E. (Statewide Apprehension of Fugitives Effort) Street sweep, conducted June 17 - 19, state and local law enforcement officers arrested 242 fugitives, the highest single-sweep arrest total since Governor Jennifer M. Granholm established the initiative in 2003.
Project S.A.F.E. Street is a quarterly effort of the Granholm Administration aimed at improving public safety by encouraging the state's law enforcement agencies to work together in the arrest of violent parole absconders. The initiative is a joint effort among the Michigan State Police (MSP), the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and local and federal law enforcement to arrest violent offenders known to be in violation of parole and who pose a threat to public safety.
"The arrest of nearly 250 violent offenders in just three days exemplifies the collaborative nature of this initiative; no one agency could accomplish that alone," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, Director of the MSP. "In special efforts such as this and in our daily activities, law enforcement will continue to work together to ensure the safety of Michigan families."
Of the 242 arrests, 88 were parole violators, 69 were parole absconders and two were probation violators. The sweep also included arrests for armed robbery, assault and battery, burglary, breaking and entering, child endangerment, criminal sexual assault, delivery of cocaine, domestic violence, fleeing and eluding, forgery, fraud, identity theft, larceny and possession of marijuana.
In addition to the arrests, officers dismantled a marijuana growing operation with 200 marijuana plants.
"This initiative is vital to ensuring the safety of Michigan's citizens. Our investigators, State Police personnel and law enforcement officers from across the state work tirelessly to capture dangerous fugitives," said MDOC Director Patricia L. Caruso. "Collaborative efforts like this are vital to the apprehension of dangerous fugitives so they may no longer pose a threat in our communities."
The MSP and MDOC organized the June sweep with assistance from 27 county sheriff's departments, 40 local police departments, five federal agencies, and law enforcement agencies from California, Florida, Indiana and Wisconsin.
A total of 3,621 fugitives have been arrested since Project S.A.F.E. Street began in March 2003.
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