Law enforcement partners announce 'Safe Summer 2024' program to curb gun violence

Local, state and federal law enforcement officials are joining forces to address the rise in gun violence that often accompanies the warmer summer months.

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten on Thursday announced the launch of Safe Summer 2024, a program under which the U.S. Attorney’s Office will federally prosecute all firearms offenders who possess crime guns — any guns previously fired in the commission of a crime.

The program will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

“Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for youth in America and has inflicted immense trauma on communities across Michigan,” Totten said in a statement. “While we will never prosecute our way out of the gun violence epidemic, Safe Summer 2024 is a part of the solution and is focused on deterring and holding accountable those few individuals driving violence."

Totten was joined by local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to announce Safe Summer 2024 in a series of four press conferences across the district Thursday, with stops in Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Grand Rapids.

“Safety is a civil right," Totten said. "Your zip code should not determine whether you can walk down the street without fear of gun fire. My team and our partners will not rest until every person, in every neighborhood, in every community is safe from violence.”

Under the Safe Summer 2024 program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute all cases that satisfy two criteria. First, the case must involve a federal firearms offense. The two most common offenses are felon in possession, which prohibits previously convicted felons from possessing a gun, and possession of a machine gun, which generally prohibits persons from possessing fully automatic guns.

Second, the case must involve a crime gun, which is any gun previously fired in the commission of a crime. These criteria will focus federal efforts on "the few individuals driving gun violence in their communities."

“Working with our local, county and federal law enforcement partners to address gun crimes is a key component in maintaining public safety,” Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police, said in a statement. “With warmer days and longer evenings upon us, spikes in the use of unlawful firearms and violent criminal activity usually follows. I’m grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for bringing this program back for a second year in recognition of the value and impact federal gun crime penalties have in deterring violence and bringing justice to crime victims.”

“The Battle Creek Police Department’s primary focus is the safety of our community,” Battle Creek Police Chief Shannon Bagley added. “We will continue our collaboration with local, state, and federal partners to address gun violence. The Safe Summer Initiative is a powerful tool that we hope will deter gun violence and keep our residents safe.”

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: 'Safe Summer 2024' program aims to curb gun violence