By: Gena Johnson | Warren Weekly | Published July 7, 2023
WARREN — The Warren Police Department recently implemented a new effort to stem the tide of the increased summer crime and keep Warren neighborhoods safe.
According to Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer, crime increases during the warmer weather. He said Preventing Acts of Community Tragedy, or Operation PACT, as it is more commonly referred to, took the initiative to keep crime down.
The task force included 40 officers that were specifically assigned to the operation. It included patrol, special investigations, special operations and dispatch personnel. Dwyer referred to it as a joint effort by the entire department.
This collective effort resulted in 718 criminal charges, 442 arrests, 2,101 citations, 73 vehicles seized, 68 firearm seizures and 24 stolen vehicles recovered between the start of the operation on May 29 through June 23.
“The key (to the operation) was to be proactive and send a message. We know crime increases during the warm months,” Dwyer said. “I want to make it clear. This operation, it is zero tolerance in the city of Warren, so if you come to commit a felony, to commit a misdemeanor or huge traffic violations you are going to be paying the price. I can guarantee you.”
Taking a hard line on crime protects the city of Warren and its residents according to the commissioner and Warren Mayor James Fouts.
“Right now, we don’t have any homicides reported,” said Dwyer. “We have one that is a possible homicide. We’re not even sure of that, so it is a safe city. On the other hand, it is the third largest city in Michigan.”
Reducing crime in Warren has had a carryover effect on the safety and protection of neighboring cities, according to Dwyer.
“We are going to be on the front line in protecting some of the smaller cities that surround Warren,” said Dwyer.
The mayor is focused on the neighborhoods and wants Warren to be a place that attracts people to move to Warren from around the metropolitan area.
“This is all about having safer neighborhoods,” said. Fouts. “I want more people to move to this city from all over the city, Detroit, Hazel Park, Birmingham, wherever it is.”