ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Leaders in Washtenaw County came together Wednesday, June 12, to address an alarming rise in shootings this year. They’re preparing to tackle the problem head-on.
Police often call for assistance from their communities and that’s what Wednesday was about: showing the power that can come out of that partnership. It was a kick-off of a much-needed conversation.
Police, elected officials and residents came together to brainstorm ways to stem the tide of violence in Washtenaw County.
“Anybody that’s been tracking what’s going on in Washtenaw County would have been uncomfortable with the level of violence,” said Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton.”
So far this year, there have been 30 shootings and four gun-related homicides in the county, according to the sheriff’s department.
“We have had a number of meetings where internally we are developing strategies to address the immediate root causes of what we’re seeing,” Clayton said.
The issue of violence is one that police know they can’t solve alone.
That’s why they brought residents and those heading community groups to the table for a very passionate closed-door meeting before talking with the media. Many hope the words shared turn into an action plan.
“It is really significant for us as community organizations and leaders to come together and collaborate together,” said Daniel Jackson, with Love Washtenaw.
“It’s going to take the totality of the village and what I mean by that, it just can’t be community members, it just can’t be law enforcement, it can’t just be our school officials and organizations such as ours, it’s going to take the family,” said Bryan Foley.
Police said a number of guns involved in the shootings this year have been stolen from homes and cars. The sheriff’s office is planning to hand out hundreds of gun car safes in the near future.