Law Enforcement Partners Step Up Efforts to Reduce Violent Crime

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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Jul 02, 2010, 02:51 ET

-- New citywide initiative seeks to build on reductions in homicides & shootings

"Still not good enough."

DETROIT, July 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- That is the sentiment of local law enforcement leaders as the city of Detroit crosses into the second half of 2010 with a 25% reduction in homicides and a 20% reduction in non-fatal shootings compared to the same point last year. So they are upping the ante.

The Detroit Police Department, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the US Attorney's Office and numerous other state, federal and local law enforcement agencies have joined forces for a sustained citywide violence reduction initiative.

Phase One of the Comprehensive Violence Reduction Partnership (CVRP) has been operational for the past two weeks and will continue until mid-September. While the majority of the activity is taking place in the city's highest crime area – the 6th & 8th Precincts bounded by Telegraph, 8 Mile, Schaefer and Ford Road – joint efforts also are under way in the Southeastern and Eastern Districts.

Police Chief Warren Evans said reducing crime – particularly gun violence – in this target area will be the CVRP's primary focus for the next three months because data show that nearly all of the zone's 28 scout car areas (each approximately one square mile) have been more significantly impacted by gun crimes, robberies and burglaries. The northwest area of the city also is home to more than 1,000 parole and probation absconders.

The project has at its core Chief Evans' Project CRUSADERS philosophies of inter-agency cooperation to effectively add manpower and data-driven enforcement. While the past CRUSADERS initiatives consisted of several weeks of intelligence gathering followed by up to one week of multi-faceted street enforcement, this phase of the CVRP project will be sustained over a period of three months with continuous crime analysis and dynamic redeployment of resources.

"This is CRUSADERS on steroids. It is built for speed, agility and endurance," Chief Evans said. "We continue to refine our efforts so they are more strategic and more effective in reducing crime – particularly violent crimes."

MAJOR ARRESTS, STIFFER PENALTIES

The CVRP is also built for strength, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Thomas Brandon, since it includes a much stronger threat of federal prosecution.

Among those arrested are several dangerous career criminals, including David Dennis, who already did time for 2nd Degree murder and was arrested this week with four handguns and an assault rifle, not to mention some of the drugs he was dealing.

CVRP officers also arrested Kevin Wiley, who is on parole for manslaughter, who also was dealing drugs as a member of the Brightmoor Gangstas. They also arrested Marlon Allen and Corey Nelson, both of whom had served time for violent crimes, both of whom were dealing drugs in this area and both of whom had multiple weapons in their possession.

All of these suspect are being referred for possible federal prosecution, SAC Brandon said.

"To correct a problem, you have to focus on it, said SAC Brandon. "For the next three months we will concentrate our resources where they are most needed, Northwest Detroit. Through the CVRP, ATF will work shoulder to shoulder with DPD and our law enforcement partners to prevent and reduce gun violence. The public should know that we are committed, we have the resources, and we have the resolve."

CVRP search warrants and street enforcement already have resulted in the seizure of numerous high powered weapons, including a Tec 9 handgun and several assault rifles, as well as the arrest of several known gang members.

The CVRP initiative grew out of a conversation two months ago between Police Chief Warren Evans and ATF Special Agent in Charge Thomas Brandon. From that meeting, the two agreed to a long-term effort that would include a large commitment from the ATF to focus on confiscating illegal guns and arresting those who possess them.

Agencies participating in the CVRP initiative are: