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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Pickell is absolutely correct on one thing- the use of multijurisdictional teams and task forces, usually Flint Police, Sheriff Deputies and Federal agents has produced the best results in the past.
Genesee County sheriff says $3 million violent crime unit would 'take control of the streets'
By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on January 22, 2013 at 7:00 AM, updated January 22, 2013 at 7:02 AM
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Before unleashing what he promises would be a "relentless pursuit" of crime in the Flint area, Sheriff Robert Pickell says his proposed violent crime mobile unit will have roadmap that targets the baddest of the bad.
Pickell's 19-page, $3 million proposal to Gov. Rick Snyder, submitted last week for the second time in 12 months, says Flint has become a "safe haven for criminals" and a place where "law-abiding citizens" have been on the run for 25 years.
"Citizens of Genesee County are imprisoned in their homes while criminals are roaming the street freely," the proposal to create the new mobile response unit says. "With funding to assemble a highly trained and proactive ... unit, the criminal enterprises will be eradicated and give the community a chance to flourish."
Pickell first made the mobile unit proposal last year, but saw Snyder back his own anti-crime initiative, which focused on increased Michigan State Police troopers, $2 million to reopen and operate the Flint lockup, and four state-funded attorneys to help bulk up Prosecutor David Leyton's office.
With the lockup still mostly empty, Pickell suggested last week that the current approach still lacks what he is offering: a paramilitary unit that develops information about gangs and other criminal enterprises, using confidential informants and other tactics, before going after "the toughest, most violent people" in the area.
The sheriff last week resubmitted his proposal to Snyder, the state Department of Corrections and MSP, saying change is desperately needed and the current approach is "fundamentally flawed," as shown by the Flint lockup running at just 7 percent occupancy.
The sheriff said the low number of people being booked into the lockup translates into a cost of lodging of $456 per inmate, per day.
Pickell said additional MSP patrols provided by the state are a help, but told the county Board of Commissioners that troopers sent here don't have the necessary knowledge of the community they have been assigned to help.
"That strategy is obviously not working," Pickell said. "They don't know Flint."
William Alexander, a General Motors retiree who has lived in Flint since 1972, said the city is in such critical condition that ideas for fighting crime can't be rejected out of hand.
Little seems to have changed the landscape -- even with a new public safety millage in the city and more help from the state, Alexander said.
"The crime is primarily in the north end, (but) we don't see very many police," said Alexander, vice chairman of the Neighborhood Restoration Coalition, which meets weekly at a former police mini station. "People call in, and we don't get any response."
The sheriff said he has been told his proposal remains under review by state officials, and a spokesman for the governor's office said the proposal has been received and is under review.
The governor's office last week said Snyder feels strongly that the current actions "being undertaken by the Michigan State Police and the Flint Police Department, including the re-opening of the city jail, is the right strategy to protect the citizens of Flint and combat the violent crime, which has plagued the city for decades."
The mobile response unit proposal calls for Pickell to become the project director with four officers from the Sheriff's Department, four from the city of Flint, two from MSP, one from the city of Davison, and one each from Flint, Genesee and Mt. Morris townships.
Flint emergency financial manager Ed Kurtz said he would be open to the city being part of such a response team, but not at the expense of the additional state troopers and other state resources the city has received so far.
"Would I like to have that in addition to what we have? Yes," he said. "Would I like to have that instead of what we have now? Probably not."
Other pieces of Pickell's 19-page proposal:
•A reference to the sheriff having "received a commitment from the FBI to also assign agents to the unit," which the report says would work closely with officers who remain in the Safe Streets Task Force.
•The proposal makes the connection between the area's high violent crime and "major gang activity" and says more than 25 active gangs are operating in Flint. "When an investigation leads to a gang, the gang will be targeted," it says.
•The city of Mt. Morris as well as Flint, Genesee and Mt. Morris townships are described as "crime-ridden"areas in addition to the city of Flint, the nation's most-violent large city in the first half of 2012.
•The proposed unit would be made up of "six streetwise plain clothes violent crime investigators," 12 uniformed investigators and one crime analyst. Focus crimes "will include homicide, carjacking, armed robbery, manufacturing and trafficking or narcotics and dangerous drugs."
•Hotel and motel managers would be offered training to allow them to better recognize "criminal behavior," including manufacturing, selling and trafficking narcotics." Training would also be offered to employees at Bishop Airport, the Mass Transportation Authority, U.S. Postal Services, Fed-Ex and UPS on "how to recognize key factors of criminal activity."
•You can read the entire proposal here: Violent Crime Mobile Response Unit
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:24 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Tue Jan 22, 2013 7:20 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Come Heller high water: The gov's plan didn't work, maybe the sheriff's will
By Andrew Heller | Flint Journal
on January 23, 2013 at 1:30 PM
Come Heller high water…
• I have no idea whether Genesee Co. Sheriff Robert Pickell’s $3 million plan to cut crime in Flint with a “violent crime mobile response unit” would do any better than Gov. Snyder’s $2 million plan, which has been underwhelming to say the least. But if the state can afford to fund it, it’s worth a try. That said, I think the truest fix to the crime problem that afflicts most of the country’s cities is a return to shame, as weird as that sounds. We have to have more people believing that creating kids they can’t take care of properly is a shameful thing. How do you get that back once it’s gone?
• By the way, aren’t all police “violent crime mobile response units?” Just asking. |
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Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:48 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Flint Police Chief Alvern Lock says 'we don't need' sheriff's proposed violent crime unit
By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on January 22, 2013 at 9:10 AM
FLINT, MI -- Police Chief Alvern Lock says Flint doesn't need a new special unit to take on homicides, carjackings and other serious crime in the city.
Lock said a proposal to the state from Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell for a $3-million elite crime-fighting unit isn't the best use of money available for creating safer streets.
"That is a proposal that has been submitted before," Lock said. "We already basically have other task forces that are doing the same work.
"I think the best way of spending the money is -- if the sheriff wanted to do something like that -- that he could take part in the task forces that we already have. We don't need to create a new task force to duplicate work that's already being done."
Pickell's proposal is under review by the state, according to Michigan State Police and the office of Gov. Rick Snyder.
The state has been funding the operation of the Flint lockup, additional MSP troopers, and for housing or electronic tether for those charged with serious crimes in the city.
With the city lockup mostly empty, Pickell suggested last week that the current approach to combating crime is lacking a paramilitary unit that pursues the area's most notorious criminals with "relentless pursuit."
Flint is rated as the nation's most violent large city in the first half of 2012, according to FBI data. |
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Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:54 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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"That is a proposal that has been submitted before," Lock said. "We already basically have other task forces that are doing the same work.
"I think the best way of spending the money is -- if the sheriff wanted to do something like that -- that he could take part in the task forces that we already have. We don't need to create a new task force to duplicate work that's already being done."
The safe Streets, South Side and ATF Task Forces have all been ended. So what is Lock referring to. And Pickell was a part of these task forces. |
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Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:56 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
The sheriff's proposal does praise the work of the Safe Streets Task Force but says its effectiveness has been crippled by personnel cuts. A part of the proposal says, "In 2006, officials in Genesee County collaborated to disrupt criminal enterprises by forming the FBI Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF). The SSTF has been a huge success and has dismantled violent gangs including the Pierson Hood Gang. The Pierson Hood Gang was the most violent gang in Genesee County history. They were responsible for 16 homicides and many other crimes to include domestic terrorism, drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, arson, kidnapping, torture, and carjacking. However, with the recent budget cuts, several SSTF positions have been eliminated. The Office of Genesee County Sheriff was forced to eliminate 13 positions including one in the SSTF. The Michigan State Police has reduced one position in the SSTF while the City of Flint Police reduced theirs to 1 position. The SSTF is now limited to two full-time investigators and two part-time investigators. With the trials of past cases still ongoing, investigators are spread too thin to function at a serviceable level."
9 Hours Ago |
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Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:59 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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justize
Well I very very rarely see any state troopers who patrol Flint of color. Most, if not all, are white and have shaved heads and are pulling over every person of color in Flint for minor infractions then going on a fishing expedition through the citizens car. The violent task forces are significantly under staffed with officers of color as well and most of the seasoned officers have retired. What I think the Sheriff is moving toward is putting officers of color into those areas and getting people to feel comfortable to discuss what is happening on the streets and not getting patted down and frisked first. I believe the Sheriff and his staff would have a much better handle on dealing with this problem with his diversified group of local officers than some shaved head white Trooper from Iron Mountain looking to kick some ass! The City lockup is a joke and always has been. The cops twiddling their thumbs down there should be on the streets patrolling. Violent crime rates will go down when the citizens feel safe telling the police about what is going on around them as long as they trust they will not be the next target for doing so. FYI I do not live in Flint and I'm white but I'm right about the MSP being predominatley white skin heads in Flint! |
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Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:04 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The Pierson Hood arrests were five years ago. What has the Safe Streets done since then?
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:36 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:05 pm |
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Dave Starr
F L I N T O I D
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quote:
untanglingwebs schreef:
The Pierson Hood arrests were five years ago. What has the Safe Streets done since then?
Well, there hasn't been any home invasions at Walling's house. Or any of the council members that still live in Flint. |
_________________
I used to care, but I take a pill for that now.
Pushing buttons sure can be fun.
When a lion wants to go somewhere, he doesn’t worry about how many hyenas are in the way.
Paddle faster, I hear banjos. |
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Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:09 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Gov. Snyder to sheriff: No thanks to $3M crime-fighting proposal
By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on February 25, 2013 at 7:20 AM, updated February 25, 2013 at 7:21 AM
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The governor has spoken, and county Sheriff Robert Pickell might not like what he has to say.
Thirty days after receiving Pickell's proposal to create a violent crime mobile response unit, Gov. Rick Snyder's office says in a statement, "the best course of action is to integrate the resources at the sheriff’s department into the current plan for a safer Flint."
Although not addressing specifics in the 19-page proposal, the governor's office statement says, "We continue to encourage the sheriff to meet with our local (Michigan State Police) command to map out a plan that includes the sheriff department’s resources so that they can be integrated into the ongoing efforts to make Flint safer."
Pickell declined to comment on the statement, which The Flint Journal requested from Snyder's office of communications, saying only, "Let the governor say what he wants. I'm not commenting."
In January, the sheriff proposed the mobile team for a second time in 12 months. The $3-million program called for the creation of a special police unit that he said could eradicate criminal enterprises and "give the community a chance to flourish."
In 2012, Snyder rolled out his own anti-crime initiative, which focused on increased Michigan State Police troopers, $2 million to reopen and operate the Flint lockup, and four state-funded attorneys to help bulk up Prosecutor David Leyton's office.
In suggesting his own plan, Pickell said the state's approach was "fundamentally flawed," and not producing the desired results.
The mobile response team proposal called for Pickell to become the project director with four officers from the Sheriff's Department, four from the city of Flint, two from MSP, one from the city of Davison, and one each from Flint, Genesee and Mt. Morris townships.
The email from Snyder's office says the governor "shares the sheriff’s concerns about crime in the City of Flint and ... has continued to encourage partnership at all levels of law enforcement to address Flint’s crime rate."
"While the crime and murder rates remain unacceptably high, the administration and MSP remain committed to working in partnership with local law enforcement to make Flint a safer place," the statement says.
"This problem did not occur overnight; and it will take time to create the safer Flint we all want to see, but we believe we are on the right path with a comprehensive approach that includes supporting the efforts of the FPD, augmenting services provided in an efficient and effective manner, and addressing needs both within the local criminal justice system and the community."
The governor isn't the first official to give Pickell's proposal a cool response.
In January, Flint Police Chief Alvern Lock said Flint doesn't need a new special unit to take on homicides, carjackings and other serious crime in the city. |
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Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:39 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The email from Snyder's office says the governor "shares the sheriff’s concerns about crime in the City of Flint and ... has continued to encourage partnership at all levels of law enforcement to address Flint’s crime rate."
"While the crime and murder rates remain unacceptably high, the administration and MSP remain committed to working in partnership with local law enforcement to make Flint a safer place," the statement says.
Surely the Governor knows that the Flint Police Department is a department in turmoil! And yet he states he wants to work with them to make Flint a safer place. That will not work until Lock is gone and the new round of lawsuits settled. Higher ups say Brown will not let his friend Lock go. Maybe it is time to leave Flint.
Flint will end up like Chicago. Sections of the city will experience extreme violence and certain downtown and near downtown areas will have little crime.
The major Task Forces comprised of multiple Law Enforcement agencies in conjunction with the best of Flint's officers have produced results. It is no wonder a resident asked a master Planning member if they were eliminating the north end. But then again the north end is probably slated to become the wetlands Walling is referring to.
They have another draft but they need to correct the mis-staements found in their earlier documents. |
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Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:49 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Robert J Pickell
Sheriff, Genesee County
I am disappointed in Gov. Snyder's statement that he will not be considering allocating funds for a mobile response unit to fight violent crime in Flint and Genesee County. We as citizens need the tax money we pay to work most effectively for us. The mobile unit would be a state of the art program dedicating resources and manpower, not currently available, specifically to stop violent crimes. The decision by Gov. Snyder is not the relentless pursuit of violent people that our community needs. |
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Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:32 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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In 2012, Snyder rolled out his own anti-crime initiative, which focused on increased Michigan State Police troopers, $2 million to reopen and operate the Flint lockup, and four state-funded attorneys to help bulk up Prosecutor David Leyton's office.
New deal would let non-Flint cops help fill city lockup
By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on February 26, 2013 at 7:30 AM, updated February 26, 2013 at 7:34 AM
FLINT, MI -- The under-used city lockup might be getting a fresh injection of inmates -- people arrested outside Flint on warrants from any court in Genesee County.
The county Board of Commissioners and city emergency manager Ed Kurtz are moving toward amending a contract between the city, which owns the lockup, and the county, which runs the facility, to open the cell doors much wider, a deal that's been months in the making.
Rather than only accepting those freshly arrested in the city by Flint police, Michigan State Police and officers from the University of Michigan-Flint and Mott Community College, departments from elsewhere in the county can start using the lockup for individuals they arrest and who have outstanding warrants in Flint or Genesee district courts as well as Genesee Circuit Court.
"We don't have a problem with it. We're fine with it," Kurtz said Monday, Feb. 25. Earlier that day, commissioners put the contract amendment, which spells out who can be booked into the lockup on a fast track, setting it up for approval as soon as next week.
The deal comes after MLive-Flint Journal reports late last year showed the lockup had averaged just nine inmates a day and had not reached more than 23 inmates at one time since reopening Oct. 1.
Sheriff Robert Pickell said little has changed to the average population of the lockup since that time.
The pending agreement would allow Flint police, MSP and officers from the colleges to continue booking suspects arrested in the city.
But it would also allow suburban departments to lodge those arrested -- providing the county jail isn't in a critical overcrowding emergency.
Grand Blanc Police Chief David Stamm said the movement could get the lockup running at full capacity.
"It will be used daily," Stamm said. "I don't think they'll have any problem whatsoever" keeping it full.
There are tens of thousands of outstanding warrants issued by county courts, and Stamm said many of those cases involve criminals who may be from Flint and commit crimes in the city but are caught outside the city limits.
"A lot these offenders ... crime has no boundary" to them, he said.
Michigan State Police Flint Post Commander Matt Bolger said opening the jail to more inmates will make the lockup operate more efficiently, since it is staffed for full capacity.
"There needs to be ramifications for crime," Bolger said. "I think for Genesee County as a whole, it will help."
Pickell said he was aware of the discussions about loosening requirements to book inmates into the lockup.
He credited Bolger for his work on the contract amendment but did not predict how much of an increase in volume might come from the shift in policy.
When it was reopened in October with state funding, Flint leaders hailed the reopening of the lockup, which can hold up to 110 people. The lockup costs about $2.1 million a year to operate and can hold prisoners for up to 72 hours. |
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Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:46 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Genesee County sheriff says Gov. Snyder missed the boat on mobile crime unit
By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on February 26, 2013 at 6:05 PM
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Sheriff Robert Pickell says Gov. Rick Snyder is missing the best opportunity for fighting violent crime in Flint by not backing his call for a mobile response unit.
“We saw this weekend just how badly our county needs this mobile unit," Pickell said in a news release. "These killings are senseless and must be stopped. This decision by Gov. Snyder is not the relentless pursuit of violent people that our community needs.”
The sheriff's comments come after the fatal Sunday shooting of Jyquonn Chambers, who police say was gunned down outside a home in the 3600 block of Marvin Street in Flint.
Flint recorded 66 homicides in 2012, tying the number of slayings it recorded in 2010, when the all-time high for murders was recorded in the city.
Snyder's office of communications released a statement to MLive-Flint Journal last week, saying the governor believes "the best course of action is to integrate the resources at the sheriff’s department into the current plan for a safer Flint."
The statement doesn't sit well with Pickell, who has been critical of Snyder's anti-crime plan for the city. That plan has included additional Michigan State Police and more than $2 million to reopen the Flinty lockup.
The sheriff's statement said he was disappointed that his proposed mobile response unit, which would cost $3 million in the first year, hasn't been endorsed.
“We as citizens need the tax money we pay to work most effectively for us. The mobile unit would be a state-of-the-art program dedicating resources and manpower, not currently available, specifically to stop violent crimes in our area” Pickell's statement says.
Made for the second time in 12 months in January, the proposal calls for Pickell to become the project director for the unit with four officers from the sheriff's department, four from the city of Flint, two from Michigan State Police, one from the city of Davison, and one each from Flint, Genesee and Mt. Morris townships. |
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Tue Feb 26, 2013 7:35 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Genesee County approves opening doors to Flint lockup for arrests outside city
By Ron Fonger | rfonger1@mlive.com
on March 06, 2013 at 11:03 AM, updated March 06, 2013 at 11:04 AM
GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The county has agreed to new rules that will allow police to book more people into the Flint lockup.
The Board of Commissioners today, March 6, approved a contract amendment between the county and city that will allow for lodging people arrested outside Flint on warrants from any court in Genesee County.
Currently only officers from Flint, Michigan State Police, Mott Community College and the University of Michigan-Flint have access to the lockup.
Flint emergency manager Ed Kurtz has said he also favors the change.
The lockup is owned by the city and operated by the county using state funds.
The contract amendment comes after MLive-Flint Journal reports late last year showed the Flint lockup had averaged just nine inmates a day and not reached more than 23 inmates at one time since reopening Oct. 1.
The lockup has a capacity of 110 people.
Sheriff Robert Pickell was at today's meeting but did not speak on the amendment, which was unanimously approved by commissioners.
The pending agreement allows for thecounty to shut off bookings into the lockup if the county jail is in a critical overcrowding emergency
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Wed Mar 06, 2013 3:56 pm |
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