Flint’s Unified Response to Escalating Gun Violence
In a bid to curb the rising tide of gun violence in Flint, Mayor Sheldon A. Neeley has announced a comprehensive plan involving collaboration among various stakeholders. This initiative seeks to unite law enforcement, judicial figures, and community leaders to forge a robust strategy against the ongoing crisis.
Mayor Neeley is spearheading efforts to convene local and federal law enforcement officials, as well as judges, prosecutors, education, and faith leaders for a summit. The focus will be on devising a coordinated approach to tackle gun violence plaguing the city.
Flint Police Chief Terence Green highlighted the ripple effects of shootings, stating, “Every shooting affects more than the people directly involved — it affects families, neighborhoods and our entire community.” He urged residents with information to assist in solving these cases.
Mayor Neeley emphasized the necessity for a collective effort, remarking, “Shootings demand more than individual agencies working separately. We need to bring the people responsible for public safety and justice together, at the same table, to identify what is working, what needs to change and what more we can do to protect our residents.”
In addition to these efforts, the Mayor is advocating for the judiciary to consider public safety when deciding on bond and pretrial releases for those accused of violent gun crimes. The Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office has been encouraged to pursue rigorous charges when supported by evidence.
The city has also engaged the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in handling cases involving unlawfully altered firearms, such as those modified with “switches” that convert them into fully automatic weapons. The ATF has pledged to undertake prosecutions in suitable cases.
The Flint Police Department remains active in investigating recent gun-related incidents, working closely with local, state, and federal partners to pinpoint and apprehend the individuals involved.
To further incentivize public cooperation, the City of Flint, in partnership with Crime Stoppers, is offering a reward up to $500 for information leading to arrests connected to “switches” found during shootings. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245).
Flint continues to operate under the gun violence state of emergency declared by Mayor Neeley in July 2021, underscoring the city’s dedication to addressing this severe public safety issue.
Mayor Neeley reinforced the city’s resolve, stating, “Our residents deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets and in their neighborhoods. We will continue using every lawful tool available to us, and we will continue bringing our partners together until we see the level of violence come down.”
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