In early 2020, Saginaw's Police Chief, Robert Ruth held a press conference, in coordination with the Michigan State Police and other law enforcement agencies, to release crime statistics for the city of Saginaw. As you may know, Saginaw realized another dramatic, 40% decrease in crime across nearly every category of crime.
We have included the annual crime statists dated back to 2013, after the Michigan State Police (MSP) were deployed to four major cities in Michigan; Detroit, Pontiac, Flint and Saginaw. All four were listed among the top 10 most violent cities in the United States according to FBI data.
An initiative named the Secure Cities Partnership, was developed in order to change this reality and improve the safety and quality of life for these four underserved communities. Under the Secure Cities Partnership, the MSP partners with federal, county and local law enforcement agencies, works closely with the community and offers a much higher level of public safety presence. Our community has embraced this effort and is grateful for their work.
Saginaw has done remarkably well with the Secure Cities Partnership and the dramatic decrease in crime overall is an indicator of how successful it is. We have begun to take our community back.
The program has also acted as a catalyst for other programs such as the Saginaw Witness Assistance Program, which helps the prosecutor's office safely move witnesses from a secure venue to court to testify; something that was not possible a few years ago. In addition, we have a Light Up The City effort. In its eighth year, the Light Up the City Saginaw (LUTCS) initiative is encouraging community members to help create a safer community by working together, walking the streets, engaging first responders, educating our youth and turning on porch lights. The campaign is being championed by Consumers Energy, law enforcement, community groups and business leaders, with a mission of bringing together neighbors, building a safer, more connected community,. People are beginning to know their neighbors and have a desire to improve the community.
These reduced crime statistics are critical in our roles of attracting and retaining young talent and business. It also improves our reputation, thus becoming a place where new business is willing to locate.
We strongly support continuing the Secure Cities Partnership and the presence of the MSP in Saginaw.
An initiative named the Secure Cities Partnership, was developed in order to change this reality and improve the safety and quality of life for these four underserved communities. Under the Secure Cities Partnership, the MSP partners with federal, county and local law enforcement agencies, works closely with the community and offers a much higher level of public safety presence. Our community has embraced this effort and is grateful for their work.
Saginaw has done remarkably well with the Secure Cities Partnership and the dramatic decrease in crime overall is an indicator of how successful it is. We have begun to take our community back.
The program has also acted as a catalyst for other programs such as the Saginaw Witness Assistance Program, which helps the prosecutor's office safely move witnesses from a secure venue to court to testify; something that was not possible a few years ago. In addition, we have a Light Up The City effort. In its eighth year, the Light Up the City Saginaw (LUTCS) initiative is encouraging community members to help create a safer community by working together, walking the streets, engaging first responders, educating our youth and turning on porch lights. The campaign is being championed by Consumers Energy, law enforcement, community groups and business leaders, with a mission of bringing together neighbors, building a safer, more connected community,. People are beginning to know their neighbors and have a desire to improve the community.
These reduced crime statistics are critical in our roles of attracting and retaining young talent and business. It also improves our reputation, thus becoming a place where new business is willing to locate.
We strongly support continuing the Secure Cities Partnership and the presence of the MSP in Saginaw.