State and local law enforcement officers arrested 214 fugitives during the latest Project S.A.F.E. (Statewide Apprehension of Fugitives Effort) Street sweep, conducted June 5 -7.  The initiative is an ongoing effort of the Granholm Administration aimed at arresting violent parole absconders.

"Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement agencies, our communities are safer today," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.  "Our message has been and continues to be clear: violent probationers and parolees who do no meet their responsibilities will not be allowed to threaten the safety of our children, our families or our communities."

Granholm established Project S.A.F.E. Street in 2003, in an effort to improve public safety in Michigan by encouraging the state's law enforcement agencies to work together.  The initiative is a joint effort among the Michigan State Police (MSP), the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) and local and federal law enforcement to arrest violent offenders known to be in violation of parole and who pose a threat to public safety. 

Of the 214 arrests, 80 were parole violators and 52 were parole absconders.  The sweep included parole violations for assault and battery; armed robbery; breaking and entering; carrying a concealed weapon; home invasion; larceny; narcotics possession; and receiving and concealing stolen property.  In addition to the arrests, officers recovered a stolen vehicle and seized nine grams of cocaine.

"The Michigan State Police remains relentless in our efforts to keep Michigan families safe by working with our law enforcement partners to remove dangerous offenders from the streets," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, Director of the MSP.

The MSP and MDOC organized the June sweep with assistance from 23 county sheriff's departments, 32 local police departments, the U.S. Marshals Service, and a law enforcement agency in Florida. 

"Agencies within the criminal justice system working together is the best way to keep our citizens and neighborhoods safe", said MDOC Director Patricia L. Caruso.

A total of 2,852 fugitives have been arrested since Project S.A.F.E. Street began in March 2003.