LANSING (WWJ) – A statewide crackdown on gun violence has led to 171 illegal guns coming off the streets since the start of September, state officials announced Monday.
Law enforcement officials have checked in with nearly 1,300 felony offenders since the launch of Operation Safe Neighborhoods, resulting in 182 arrests and the seizure of the illegal guns, as well as illegal drugs and ammunition.
In early September, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Operation Safe Neighborhoods, a partnership between law enforcement across the state and Michigan Department of Corrections parole and probation agents.
The program includes enhanced compliance checks on probationers and parolees, who are legally prohibited from possessing a gun.
There are about 32,000 people on probation and 8,500 parolees across the state. About 20% of them have previously been convicted of a gun crime, according to Whitmer’s office. Officials say the plan the department devised and implemented is “aimed at the strategic targeting of high-risk individuals who have weapons possession in their criminal history that could be used to commit further crime.”
Authorities have not released many details about the recent arrests or gun seizures, including where they happened or any names of those involved.
MDOC Director Heidi Washington said the operation is helping make Michigan safer.
“By partnering with local law enforcement on these targeted actions, we are helping to take guns and drugs off our streets, which means less crime and fewer victim,” she said, per a press release.
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