BENTON HARBOR, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – An ongoing partnership between the Benton Harbor Police Department and the Michigan State Police (MSP) has netted a string of new arrests, as announced by the MSP Monday.
Since 2015, Benton Harbor has been a part of Michigan’s Secure Cities Partnership (SCP), which is an initiative developed in 2012 by the Michigan State Police (MSP).
According to MSP, this initiative is meant to address crime through a comprehensive system of “smart justice” that recognizes the connection between enforcement and community engagement.
Last month, the SCP in Benton Harbor was joined by the newly established MSP Fifth District Crime Prevention Squad (DCPS). The DCPS is staffed by troopers from each of the district’s four posts.
The primary purpose of the DCPS is to focus on reducing violent crime and establish positive police and community relationships within the city of Benton Harbor and other communities.
During the first two weeks of the additional resources, three handguns were seized during traffic stops in which one occupant was found in possession of a small amount of illicit drugs, along with a small amount of cash from suspected drug sales.
Several occupants were taken into custody for various warrants and original charges.
Arrests were made for the following:
- One – flee & eluding (felony)
- Two – resisting and obstructing officer (felony)
- Four – carrying concealed weapon (felony)
- One – misdemeanor warrant
- Nine – felony warrants, including one for strong arm robbery, two for child abuse, two for flee & elude and one for stalking.
Police say these arrests took place between April 18 and May 2.
Community engagement efforts for the past two weeks included the following activities:
- Meetings with local pastors and community organizers,
- Meeting with Youth League baseball coach to share mission of DCPS,
- Played football with youth after positive interaction, including handing out trinkets,
- Stopped by local businesses to meet staff & owners to make presence in community known.
In March, MSP announced that early reporting, based on 2020 data, illustrates violent crime declined in the city of Benton Harbor by 12 percent when comparing reports from 2019.
