Residents of Genesee County wake up every morning and …



Problem Statement

Residents of Genesee County wake up every morning and read news headlines like “Flint’s 54th Homicide Victim a 6 Year Old Boy”, “51st Arson in Less Than 2 Weeks”, and “Flint Serial Killer Receives National Attention.”[1] The headlines get worse everyday, and there is no sign of brighter times to come.

The hardship began when General Motors started pulling out of the Flint area in 1986. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost due to the fall of the automobile industry. This created a ripple effect throughout the entire county. People have lost their jobs, foreclosed on their homes, and lost their healthcare. Law abiding citizens then started fleeing the area to escape the crime and look for a new start. This left the City of Flint and Genesee County with an atmosphere where criminals thrive.

The National Disadvantage Index, which measures the socioeconomic conditions of the area, shows Genesee County at 6 on a scale of 1 through 10. With 10 being the worst, Genesee County has 22.7% of the population at 10. The entire City of Flint is at 10.[2] states that the City of Flint is ranked 6th in America’s Most Miserable Cities. The FBI has the City of Flint ranked the deadliest and most violent city in the United States.[3] One direct result of these statistics is the unemployment rate. In 2009, the City of Flint had the highest unemployment rate in the country with 27.3%. Currently, the unemployment rate is 13.7%, well above the national average of 9.6%.[4]

A) Violent Crime

Genesee County is experiencing a rise in gang/drug related deaths, violent shootings, bank robberies, and trafficking of guns and drugs. These crimes have been linked to major gang activity in, and around, Genesee County. Currently, there are more than 25 active gangs in Genesee County. These gangs operate in the City of Flint, but reside throughout Genesee County.

In 2006, officials in Genesee County collaborated to disrupt criminal enterprises by forming the FBI Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF). The SSTF has been a huge success and has dismantled violent gangs including the Pierson Hood Gang. The Pierson Hood Gang was the most violent gang in Genesee County history. They were responsible for 16 homicides and many other crimes to include domestic terrorism, drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, arson, kidnapping, torture, and carjacking. However, with the recent budget cuts, several SSTF positions have been eliminated. The Office of Genesee County Sheriff was forced to eliminate 13 positions including one in the SSTF. The Michigan State Police has reduced one position in the SSTF while the City of Flint Police reduced theirs to 1 position. The SSTF is now limited to two full-time investigators and two part-time investigators. With the trials of past cases still ongoing, investigators are spread too thin to function at a serviceable level.

In 2009, the City of Flint had 36 homicides. In 2010, the City of Flint had 65 homicides breaking the record set in 1986 with 61 homicides. The FBI reported that the City of Flint has the lowest clearance rate of homicides in the country.[5]

Other crime ridden areas include Mt. Morris City, Mt. Morris Township, Genesee Township and Flint Township.

1. Mt. Morris City

The City of Mt. Morris is located just north of the City of Flint. The City of Mt. Morris is only 1.2 square miles and home to 3,166 residents, but has a 19.1% unemployment rate and 30 violent crimes.[6] With just a small area, and very few residents, the City of Mt. Morris is one of the most violent cities in Genesee County.

2. Mt. Morris Township

The Charter Township of Mt. Morris has a total population of 22,058. Mt. Morris Township boarders the City of Flint and surrounds the City of Mt. Morris. Mt. Morris Township is the third most violent area in Genesee County with 145 violent crimes reported.[7] The unemployment rate of 20.2% challenges the City of Flint for the highest rate in Genesee County.[8]

3. Genesee Township

The Charter Township of Genesee is continually becoming more violent. In 2007, Genesee Township had 91 violent crimes reported. In 2008, Genesee Township had 97 violent crimes reported, and in 2009, had 103 violent crimes reported. There has not been a decrease in violent crime since 2005 when violent crimes spiked to 114[9]. If violent crime continues to grow in Genesee Township, then it will contend for one of the most violent areas in Genesee County.

4. Flint Township

The Charter Township of Flint has a total population of 31,391. Flint Township is known for its two strips, Miller Road and Corunna Road. These two strips are home to many large shopping centers. This business district attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors daily. These visitors are entering the second most violent area in Genesee County with 215 reported violent crimes[10]. With the largest business district in Genesee County, Flint Township continues to have a high unemployment rate of 11.5%.[11]

Not only are citizens susceptible to being killed, so are police officers. Flint Police Officers Bobby Fowlkes and Keith Urquhart were shot at while in pursuit of gang members. Genesee County Sheriff Deputy Antcliff was shot while conducting a search warrant. Deputy Antcliff, who was in full police uniform, was the first one to enter the house. All suspects in both cases have been sentenced to prison. These are examples of the criminal’s mindset.

B) Narcotics

Narcotic and dangerous drug sales are the direct income for gangs and criminal enterprises. Drug dealers will travel the world to bring high level narcotics to Genesee County. During the proffers of two major drug dealers we learned one of these dealers, who resided in Mundy Township, and owned a lavish home in Davison Township, traveled to Nicaragua to examine the quality of cocaine and marijuana. During the investigation, he unloaded 1,000 pounds of marijuana (street value of $3,600,000) from a semi truck behind the Bill Lambeier packaging plant in the City of Flint. He also transported 220 pounds of cocaine (street value of $2 million) from Indianapolis to Flint, and distributed it to members of the Pierson Hood Gang. Another drug trafficker, who resided in Flint Township, conducted drug transactions inside the City of Flint. At the time of his arrest, the Sheriff’s POSSE confiscated 9 kilograms of cocaine (street value of $180,000), and nearly $700,000 in cash money.

With these criminal enterprises operating in multiple areas throughout Genesee County, the State of Michigan, the United States, and abroad, it is extremely difficult for detectives to actively track and investigate them. Genesee County is located on interstates I-69, I-75, I-475 and US 23. These roadways, in addition to the railways, Fed Ex, UPS, and Bishop International Airport are ideal for criminal enterprises to traffic narcotics and escape prosecution.

C) Domestic Terrorism

1. Serial Killer

Genesee County residents were held captive in their homes for months because of fear. A man known as the “Serial Slasher” was walking up to individuals asking them for help with a simple task. When the individual responded, the man would stab them to death.

The “Serial Slasher” was able to continue his killing spree due to a lack of coordinating efforts in Genesee County. The crimes were not connected until a detective had suspicion of two crimes being similar. A task force was created to investigate the crimes. The task force consisted of the Michigan State Police, Office of Genesee County Sheriff, City of Flint Police, Flint Township Police, and many other township and small city police departments.

When news broke about a serial killer, entire neighborhoods resulted to sending one representative to a fast food store to get a meal; solely out of fear. People were not able to leave their homes for fear of death. There were 13 people stabbed and five people killed in the City of Flint. The “Serial Slasher” continued his stabbing spree to Ohio and Virginia. He was arrested in Georgia just before boarding a flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. He is now lodged into the Genesee County Jail awaiting trials.

Without the task force, the “Serial Slasher” would have left the country without ever being caught. If there was a task force in place before the stabbings started, then the crimes would have been connected early and lives would have been saved.

2. Bishop Airport

Bishop International Airport (BIA) is located in the heart of Genesee County. There are over 500,000 people per year that board a plane at BIA. Over 1 million passengers enter BIA every year. There were 8,606,019 packages that left BIA and 9,228,164 packages that entered BIA by plane in 2009. There were 50,559 total operations that involved military or personal aircrafts.[12]

D) Community

The community is in an up rise with the lack of police protection in Flint and Genesee County. Several citizens have begged for help from the former Governor and National Guard. Community groups have formed to thwart crime. Several churches are pleading with the community to join an anti-violence movement. City Hall is packed with desperate residents hoping to hear more police officers will be working the streets. However, the police force continues to deplete and the community groups get no law enforcement backing. Genesee County and the City of Flint are in a financial crisis.

Citizens of Genesee County are imprisoned in their homes while criminals are roaming the street freely. With funding to assemble a highly trained and proactive violent crime mobile response unit, the criminal enterprises will be eradicated and give the community a chance to flourish.

Project Description

The Office of Genesee County Sheriff is proposing to create a metropolitan Violent Crime Mobile Response Unit that would be made up of six street-wise plain clothes Violent Crime Investigators, 12 uniformed investigators and one Crime Analyst. The unit will be known as the Genesee County Violent Crimes Task Force (GCVCTF). The multi-jurisdictional task force will be comprised of the Office of Genesee County Sheriff, Michigan State Police, City of Flint Police, Flint Township Police, Genesee Township Police, Mount Morris Township Police, Davison Police and support staff. Specially trained Task Force Members will include K-9 officers, Gang Investigators, and Motor Carrier Officers. The Genesee County Sheriff will deputize all task force members therefore giving them county-wide jurisdiction. With all members deputized, they can fluently maneuver throughout Genesee County and proactively investigate violent criminal enterprises. The focus crimes will include homicide, carjacking, armed robbery, manufacturing and trafficking of narcotics and dangerous drugs. The investigations will include hotel/motel interdictions, transportation and delivery interdictions, active violent crimes, high visibility targeted patrols, and gangs.

A) Hotel/Motel Interdiction

Violent criminal enterprises receive income through narcotic sales. GCVCTF will work closely with the Flint Area Narcotics Group (FANG) and conduct hotel/motel interdictions along the I-69, I-75, I-475 and US-23 corridors. GCVCTF investigators will train hotel and motel employees to recognize key factors that could be criminal behavior. The hotel/motel managers and owners will be aware of the investigative techniques to assure safety of employees and patrons. When the training is complete and employees start contacting investigators, the investigators will use the information obtained and conduct an initial assessment.

If the assessment proves that criminal behavior is present, then the investigators will conduct 24 hour surveillance on the subject and the hotel/motel. The investigators will be watching for criminal activity such as manufacturing, selling, and trafficking narcotics. When enough evidence is recorded to issue charges, the subjects will be arrested and questioned further. Information will be gathered to determine the reason for the criminal behavior. That information will be used to conduct investigations on the criminal enterprise associated with the subjects.

B) Transportation and Delivery Interdiction

Similar to the hotel/motel interdictions, investigators will conduct training for employees at Bishop International Airport, Mass Transit Authority, United States Post Office, Fed-Ex, UPS and similar corporations. Employees will be trained on how to recognize key factors of criminal activity.

These investigations however differ from the hotel/motel interdictions, because there is no time for extensive investigations. The tips reported will be active and require quick action. That is why a mobile task force is required.

For example, a suspicious package is not illegal, but the information of that package could lead to information about criminal activity. GCVCTF will track the package and find information about the recipient and the sender. They will cross-reference the names and addresses to determine if they are linked to any criminal activity. If any criminal activity is present, the investigators will gather information to investigate the related criminal enterprise. If it is drug related, then FANG will be contacted and given information for further investigation.

C) Active Violent Crimes

The GCVCTF will provide assistance to all active violent crime cases. With law enforcement agencies in Genesee County operating far below serviceable levels, they can no longer provide the personnel needed to effectively investigate crimes. The GCVCTF will provide these agencies with the much needed support. The entire unit will respond to the scene and provide assistance. Officers will quarantine the area, interview witnesses, gather evidence, search for and arrest the subject. The GCVCTF will hand over the evidence to the jurisdictional agency.

For example; a City of Flint school was placed on lockdown due to a gunman on campus. The City of Flint had zero officers to respond to the school. Genesee County Sheriff’s Office responded and completed the on-scene investigation. The evidence was subsequently handed to the City of Flint Police Department to investigate and prosecute.

The GCVCTF will be a spin-off of the Safe Streets Task Force. The Safe Streets Task Force has been the most effective tool against violent crime in Genesee County. The GCVCTF will work closely with the Safe Streets Task Force to identify, investigate, and arrest violent criminal enterprises. Sheriff Pickell has received a commitment from the FBI to assign agents to the GCVCTF. The FBI has been the lead agency in forming the GCVCTF and will play a key role. This partnership will assure the constant flow of intelligence and coordinated services between the FBI, Safe Streets Task Force, and GCVCTF.

D) High Visibility Targeted Patrols

The uniformed officers of the GCVCTF will conduct high visibility patrols in targeted areas. When investigations provide evidence that a large amount of criminal activity is being conducted in a particular area, the uniformed officers will patrol that area. The officers will conduct traffic stops and visit establishments throughout the target area. The Task Force will be responsible for all arrests during the patrols.

After a violent crime occurs, the GCVCTF will select that area for the target patrols. This will assure the community that law enforcement is present and they are safe.

E) Gangs

The violent crime in Genesee County has continually been linked to gangs. All of the GCVCTF investigations will be cross-referenced with gang affiliation. There are 25 known gangs in the City of Flint alone. When the investigation leads to a gang, the gang will be targeted.

Investigators will conduct surveillance on all violent crime activity or murders for hire, purchase narcotics, and conduct delinquent business with the gangs. The goal is to methodically dismantle the gang in its entirety. Investigations of this magnitude could take several years from initial investigation to prosecution. That is why a task force of this size is desperately needed.

F) Prosecution

The Office of Genesee County Sheriff has had a working relationship with both the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office. Both Offices have been instrumental in prosecuting the Pierson Hood Gang, Merrill Hood Boys, and several other violent gang members. During these prosecutions, there was a blueprint set for the types of crimes the United States Attorney’s Office and Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office would prosecute. The United States Attorney’s Office has been diligent in setting standards for prosecuting these violent enterprises with charges like racketeering. The GCVCTF will use this blueprint to assure a fluid process when obtaining warrants and during prosecution. During the investigations and throughout the court process, the cases will be presented in State Court. In the event that the Federal Court takes jurisdiction and another crime (i.e. Homicide) is committed by that individual, the new case will be held in State Court.

III. Capabilities and Competencies

A) Capabilities

The Office of Genesee County Sheriff is under contract to provide police services to three jurisdictions with a fourth interested in assistance. The three contract areas include Vienna Township, Atlas Township, and Fenton Township.

Vienna Township has contracted with the Office of Genesee County Sheriff for over 15 years. The current contract is for $929,364. The Office of Genesee County Sheriff provides seven Deputies and one Detective Sergeant.

Atlas Township has contracted with the Office of Genesee County Sheriff for 27 years. The current contract is for $539,000. The Office of Genesee County Sheriff provides four Deputies and one half of a Detective Sergeant.

Fenton Township has contracted with the Office of Genesee County Sheriff for over 15 years. The current contract is for $695,900. The Office of Genesee County Sheriff provides five Deputies and one half of a Detective Sergeant.

Throughout the years of these contracts, there have been several changes in township officials, Sheriff’s personnel, crime trends, and economics. It takes coordinated effort between the township officials and the Office of Genesee County Sheriff to adapt to those changes and make the contracts successful.

Several other jurisdictions inquire on the Office of Genesee County Sheriff’s services. Recently, Flushing Township contacted the Office of Genesee County Sheriff to provide police services. Flushing Township Officials stated that they were impressed by the Sheriff Office’s relationship with the other three jurisdictions. Flushing Township’s original concern was not having a focused police presence in their area. After speaking to the other contracted areas, Flushing Township Officials stated they are more than confident in the Office of Genesee County Sheriff’s ability to coordinate and provide more efficient police service than they are currently receiving.

The Office of Genesee County Sheriff is the lead law enforcement agency in Genesee County’s GAIN Auto Theft Unit. GAIN is a multi-jurisdictional task force dedicated to investigating auto thefts. Members of GAIN include the Office of Genesee County Sheriff, Mundy Township, Flint Township, City of Flint, City of Grand Blanc and the City of Burton.

The Office of Genesee County Sheriff has the ability to create a unique task force and make it successful. In 2007, Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell created the Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Prevention Team (EAP). This team is the only Task Force of its kind in the entire nation. The Team is comprised of law enforcement, prosecutors, social workers, nurses, a geriatric specialist, and support staff. The need for this team came when Sheriff Pickell noticed holes in services being provided by the State of Michigan’s Adult Protective Services. The holes were the result of different agencies handling different areas of the same case, a well as, a lack of staff due to budget cuts. The priorities and knowledge of the police department, APS, hospitals, and prosecutors were different. With the EAP Team, all of those entities are devoted to one unit with the same compassion for the case. The success of the Elder Abuse Team is a direct result of the collaboration with all entities involved.

B) Competencies

The GCVCTF will operate out of a paramilitary organizational structure. The Office of Genesee County Sheriff will be a cooperating agency, with the Sheriff, Flint Police Chief, and State Police Commander overseeing all operations. The Unit Commander will be a captain from the Office of Genesee County Sheriff. The Unit Commander will run the day-to-day operations, as well as, conduct investigations. The second in command will be a Flint Police Lieutenant. There will be five additional plain clothes investigators; one from the Office of Genesee County Sheriff, two from the Michigan State Police, and two from the City of Flint Police. These investigators will be highly trained and will have a supervisory rank in their agency. There will be twelve uniquely trained uniformed officers. The uniformed officers will be made up from the following agencies: Office of Genesee County Sheriff (4), City of Flint Police (4), Genesee Township Police (1), Flint Township Police (1), Mount Morris Township Police (1), and City of Davison Police (1).

The Chiefs of Police from each represented agency will collaborate with the Genesee County Sheriff to provide input on the direction of the Task Force. The Sheriff will be the Project Director and the County of Genesee will be the fiduciary agent.

The Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell has 40 years of criminal justice experience. Sheriff Pickell spent over five years in the Central Intelligence Agency. Sheriff Pickell traveled to four different continents to conduct crucial investigations, including the first Twin Towers bombing.

Sheriff Pickell has brought his extensive experience to Genesee County and has led one of the best investigative units in the country with the EAP Team. Sheriff Pickell, along with the other police agencies, will make the GCVCTF another top ranked task force.

Conclusion

Residents of areas with a mobile crime unit, (like Charlotte, NC; Toledo, Ohio; and Austin, Texas), wake up to headlines like “San Diego-based Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team presented drug interdiction award”[13], “13 Police Officers minus 4 drug dealers equals 1 happy hotel owner”[14], and “Governor’s Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission gives $2 million to start a Drug Interdiction Team.”[15] These newspaper articles reassure the public that the government is doing their due diligence in protecting them. Police departments all over the country are experiencing budget cuts that eliminate essential positions. However, in the heart of Genesee County sits a city that is ranked consistently in the top five most violent cities in the country. It is ranked the most violent and deadly city in the country. The City of Flint has become a safe haven for criminals.

With this funding, the Office of Genesee County Sheriff and supporting agencies will be able to take control of the streets in Genesee County away from the criminals and give them back to law abiding citizens. Children will be able to play in their yards without the fear of drug pushers and gang members harassing them. The fear of random drive by shootings will be eased and businesses will flourish. People will stop moving out of Genesee County and outsiders will start moving in. Home values will rise and unemployment will fall. The successful operation of a mobile law enforcement unit will allow all of these events to happen. Without this unit, law enforcement agencies will continue to struggle. We can no longer continue to fight crime on a crisis-to-crisis and clash-to-clash basis. This highly mobile task force is desperately needed throughout Flint and Genesee County. When speaking about providing extra police support to the City of Flint, Michigan State Police Col. Kristie Kibbey Etue stated “This is not one job for one department. This is about a team effort”.

Goals and Objectives

Goal#1: To decrease violent crime as well as drug/gun trafficking.

Objective #1: Identify and target violent criminal enterprises, members, and associates within Genesee County.

Activities: Use Confidential Informants, intelligence gathering, and investigations to target criminal activity.

Performance Report the number of violent criminal enterprises, members

Measure: and associates identified.

Objective #2: Target low-level members of violent enterprises and charge them with small quantity cases of drug trafficking and allow them the opportunity to become informants against the major 'kingpins' within the criminal enterprise.

Activities: Conduct hotel/motel interdictions; inspections at Bishop International Airport, Fed Ex, UPS, and the train station; and targeted patrols to arrest individual criminals. Techniques will be used to allow the criminal to become an informant against major ‘kingpins’.

Performance Report the number of hotel/motel interdictions; inspections at

Measure: Bishop International Airport, Fed Ex, UPS, and the train station; and targeted patrols. Report the number of arrests directly related to these initiatives. Report the number of new confidential informants.

Objective #3: Through investigation and cooperation of low level criminal enterprise members, target the high level criminal enterprise members.

Activities: Use wire taps and GPS tracking devices to allow constant surveillance. Conduct undercover initiatives to gain evidence and charge high level criminal enterprise members.

Performance Report the number of new investigations involving high level

Measure: criminal enterprise members. Report the criminal charges filed against high level criminal enterprise members.

Goal #2: Create partnerships with community businesses.

Objective: Partner with 80% of the hotels/motels along interstates I-69, I-475, I-75 and US 23. Partner with Bishop International Airport, Fed Ex, UPS and the train station.

Activities: Train employees of hotels/motels, Bishop International Airport, Fed Ex, UPS, and the train station in key indicators of criminal activity. Encourage employees to contact the Genesee County Violent Crimes Task Force and report the activity.

Performance Report the number of training sessions given. Report the

Measure: number of businesses that accept the partnership.

Goal #3: Obtain convictions of defendants involved in violent criminal behavior.

Objective: Collaborate with the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office and the United States District Attorney’s Office.

Activities: Create a best practice model to conduct investigative subpoenas and other means of investigation. Compile data/reports/evidence necessary for the prosecution of defendants.

Performance: Report the number of court cases and convictions related to

Measure: the Genesee County Violent Crimes Task Force investigations.

Goal #4: Create a better quality of life to citizens in Genesee County.

Objective: Reduce fear of retaliation.

Activities: Target patrols will be placed in areas of violent crime. When a violent crime occurs, the Genesee County Violent Crimes Task Force will conduct targeted patrols in that area.

Performance Report the number of witnesses that come forward.

Measure:

Goal #5: Create a long-term plan to reduce violent crime.

Objective #1: Create strategies to track criminal enterprises.

Activities: Task Force members will continually update training and equipment related to the advancement of crimes.

Performance: Report the new trends of crimes, training on new trends, and

Measure: equipment needed/purchased to combat the new trends.

Objective #2: Create a sustainability plan.

Activities: The Sheriff and Police Chiefs of each actively involved jurisdiction will meet to provide input on sustaining the Task Force.

Performance Report new innovative ways to support costs, personnel, and

Measure: services.

BUDGET

PERSONNEL, FULL TIME EMPLOYEES (FTE’S)

1 Sheriff Captain $ 146,622.00

1` Sheriff Sergeant $ 135,185.00

1 Sheriff Deputy $ 108,941.00

1 Sheriff Deputy $ 88,804.00

1 Sheriff Deputy $ 110,190.00

1 Sheriff Deputy $ 107,502.00

1 Sheriff Crime Analyst $ 90,944.00

6 Flint Police Officers (Est. $130,000 ea.) $ 780,000.00 (Est.)

2 Michigan State Police Troopers(Est. $150,000 ea.) $ 300,000.00 (Est.)

1 Mt. Morris Twp. Officer $ 115,235.00

1 Genesee Twp. Officer $ 101,765.00

1 Flint Twp. Officer $ 103,217.00

1 Davison City Officer $ 110,000.00 (Est.)

$ 2,298,405.00

EQUIPMENT, MISCELLANEOUS COSTS

19 Vehicles, 30,000 miles per year @ .52 per mile $ 296,400.00

13 Mobile Data Computers @ $6,978.00 each $ 90,714.00

19 Mobile in Car Radios @ $3,925.00 each $ 74,575.00

19 Portable Radios @ $3,407.00 each $ 64,733.00

Court Time $ 10,000.00

Overtime $5,000 per FTE $ 95,000.00

Shift Differential, $7%-2nd Shift, 8%-3rd Shift $ 100,000.00

Controller’s Costs (Intergovernmental Service Fees) $ 20,000.00

Training $ 50,000.00

Supplies $ 22,600.00

$ 824,022.00

PERSONNEL $ 2,298,405.00

EQUIPMENT $ 824,022.00

TOTAL $ 3,077,427.00

Violent Crime Mobile Response Unit – Final

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[1] Flint Journal

[2] Socioeconomic Mapping and Resource Topography SMART

[3] Associated Press

[4]

[5] Flint Journal

[6] Uniform Crime Report

[7] Uniform Crime Rate

[8] Econmagic

[9] Uniform Crime Report

[10] Uniform Crime Report

[11] Economagic

[12] Bishop International Airport Statistics

[13] Coast Guard News

[14] Toledo Free Press

[15] Boston Sun

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