By Susan Smiley
The Macomb Daily, Mount Clemens, Mich.
WARREN, Mich. —Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer wanted to send a message to criminals before the start of summer, when crime rates tend to rise, so he put the Preventing Acts of Community Tragedy (PACT) initiative in motion on May 29.
The four-week directed enforcement operation called for officers to sweep all areas of Warren and focus on crimes in particular that impact resident’s sense of safety, security and overall well-being.
The operation resulted in 442 arrests — including 17 juveniles — 68 guns seized, and 24 stolen vehicles recovered. Those arrested came from 49 different cities across Michigan, Ohio and Illinois.
“I felt it important that the police department take proactive enforcement action at the start of the summer so that the community understands that the Warren Police Department will not tolerate violent crime, gun crimes or property crimes,” said Dwyer during a Wednesday press conference at police headquarters. “We also took a proactive approach to traffic enforcement, particularly in residential areas.”
Dwyer said PACT was the largest directed enforcement operation in department history and was spearheaded by Lt. Matthew Dillenbeck, who worked in conjunction with multiple officers from the uniformed patrol division.
“Without the patrol officers, we could not have done this,” said Dillenbeck. “This was a coordinated effort and I believe this was a huge success for our community and for our citizens who were calling in with these complaints every day.”
During the operation, there were 393 felony charges brought against those arrested; 325 misdemeanor charges; 165 felony warrant closures; 174 misdemeanor warrant closures; and 2, 101 citations issued. Adults arrested ranged in age from 18-69 years.
“The number of arrests, weapons seized, vehicles seized, and stolen vehicles recovered all exceeded our expectations,” said Dwyer. “Many of those arrested were charged with serious felonies and had previous felony convictions or faced additional charges as a habitual offender or being a felon in possession of a firearm, which was a frequent occurrence.”
Felony charges included carrying a concealed weapon; possession of a controlled substance; assault with intent to murder; criminal sexual conduct; armed robbery and home invasion.
“I talk to residents and return phone calls every night and they are concerned about their personal safety and about speeding,” said Warren Mayor James Fouts. “I commend the Warren Police Department for their proactive approach in working to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Equally important, Dwyer said, were the misdemeanor arrests involving neighborhood concerns that plague residents on a day-to-day basis. Reckless driving, retail fraud, careless discharge of a firearm, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and public intoxication were involved in many of the arrests.
“Many of these misdemeanor arrests were neighborhood-based arrests that affect the quality of life for Warren residents and businesses,” said Dwyer. “Officers also directed their traffic enforcement to residential areas paying special attention to speeding, stop sign and other infractions that create dangerous situations in our neighborhoods.”
Dwyer highlighted a couple of the significant cases in which the PACT operation played a significant role including apprehension of Jordan Berry, who was charged in connection to a June 5 shooting at Michigan Collegiate High School on Ryan Road and the arrest June 10 of two individuals who were charged in connection to the robbery of Dollar General stores at Nine Mile and Ryan roads as well as a similar armed robbery in Eastpointe.
The Commissioner also noted a June 6 pursuit of a suspected stolen Dodge Durango from Warren to Helen Street in Detroit resulted in the discovery of a “chop shop” and the recovery of nine stolen vehicles.
“As a police department, we want residents to be and feel safe as they visit businesses, play in the parks, and socialize with family and friends,” said Dwyer. “The Warren Police Department will continue to be proactive in rooting out, arresting, and prosecuting those committing criminal activity in the city throughout the summer.”
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