Potter Longway group discusses crime

Fighting crime was the subject of the Potter Longway Neighborhood Association meeting July 18. Guests included Mayor Dayne Walling, Genesee County Prosecuting Attorney David Leyton, Michigan State Police Lieutenant Phil Hart and Flint Police Captain T. P. Johnson who told the group about crime-fighting methods and programs.

Rep. Jim Ananich, Sen. John Gleason, Councilman Bryant Nolden (Ward 3) and Councilman Joshua Freeman (Ward 4) also attended the meeting.

Walling began by thanking Ananich and Gleason for their work in getting $1 million in state appropriations for 10 additional Michigan State troopers and money for county jail space to house prisoners.

"We're seeing modest and positive impacts with increased patrols, fugitives swept off our streets and heavier penalties for felons found with guns," Walling said.

"Our Ceasefire partnerships are critical. It's taken a year to put together, but we're seeing positive effects over time. This program goes beyond making an arrest. This group is reaching out to at-risk youth before they commit a violent crime," Walling explained.

President Rob Gill asked the mayor how much the Ceasefire initiative cost and if that money would be better spent on hiring more officers.

Walling replied that the $2 million in funding Ceasefire came from a federal grant and that grant also provided an additional $1.5 million for six additional police officers.

Asked why officials can't simply move money from one fund to another and hire more public safety personnel, the mayor said, grant requirements are complicated.

"We have a legal obligation to use these funds for what they are designated for. We can't take money from your water bill and use it to pay for police," said Walling.

Members also asked officials about police response time — why breaking and entering crimes sometimes take hours before police respond.

Johnson answered saying, "It's my fault that the Flint police take three hours to respond. We would love to come to every call but our dispatchers are faced with 100 calls every hour they have to prioritize. I'm sorry you have to wait for police to respond to a dog barking or someone walking down the street with a television. But what's more important — a person's life or his television set? We prioritize by life, limb and property. Life always come first."

Leyton emphasized the importance of having a jail to house offenders.

"Michigan state police said they would only assist Flint if there were jail beds available for those arrested. Thanks to the state appropriation the city is now using jail space in Midland and Clinton counties," Leyton explained.

"Saginaw reduced crime and a record number of homicides by doing two things. First, they had a jail big enough to house those they arrested. Secondly, they had a dedicated police millage. There is not better deterrent for crime than a visible police officer," Leyton added.

Leyton said his department has been reduced from 78 employees to 52 with prosecutors handing an average of 250 cases. He said that public cooperation was vital in seeing that justice is done.

"We need citizens who are willing to testify in court and we need citizens to be the eyes and ears for police. If they see a drug deal they need to use the tip lines to report criminal activity," said Leyton.

A discussion regarding citizens' arrests and shooting an intruder prompted Leyton to advise members to retreat from a situation if possible and call the police.

Hart agreed with Leyton saying if a person encounters an armed subject to move to a safe place and call 911.

Hart provided statistics from his detachment for the last 24 days.

"We've put 167 offenders in jail from a road patrol sweep and took 100 guns off the street," Hart said. We've arrested 41 persons on felony drug charges and made 1,155 traffic stops. We're also working on the 43,000 outstanding warrants in Genesee County."

Besides the arrests, Hart's department is working with youth in a leadership academy giving teens an opportunity to experience life as a Michigan State trooper.

"How can we make a better community? It's not by just arresting people. It's by educating them as well," Hart explained.

Johnson summed up saying the best deterrent to crime is being a good neighbor.

"Follow the golden rule," Johnson said. "Take care of your neighbor. Watch out for his property."

The group meets next at 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at Eastwood United Methodist Church, 3312 Whittier St.

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