LANSING, Mich. (WSYM) - In late April 2017, the Lansing Police Department and Michigan State Police announced the “Secure Cities Partnership.”
The goal of the partnership is to help better fight violent crime in the city.
Lansing Police added five dedicated uniformed Michigan State Police Troopers to the streets.
Along with three additional investigators to help the detective bureau with violent crimes such as shootings, sexual assaults, and robberies.
They’ll even help with the technical side of things like download information from cell phones.
“We all have a common goal and a common mission,” said Lt. Lisa Rish from the Michigan State Police Lansing post. “We already had a great partnership with the Lansing Police Department and this just continues to build that.”
MSP have hit the ground running. With the extra troopers, a sergeant, and detectives on the streets they say it's made for quite a busy month.
“We’ve made hundreds of traffic stops, arrested many people on outstanding fugitive warrants, confiscated over a dozen guns, and many narcotics,” said Rish.
For trooper Matthew Del Vecchio, It's his first day on the streets alone as a new state trooper.
During his training in the city, he says he's already seeing an impact.
“In the City of Lansing there is a lot more crime that happens,” said Del Vecchio. “You’re more prone to either get a call to something or see something happen compared to the out country where you may not pass a car for 10 to 15 minutes.”
And out and about in a city he loves, seeing the smiles and waves from those in the community is what the job is all about.
“We're trying to make a positive impact in the city with the Lansing Police Department so just make for a better community for law enforcement and the general public,” said Del Vecchio.
“Fighting crime isn't just about arrests,” said Rish. “It’s about building upon those relationships and working with local partners to make an impact and make our community safer.”
Lansing was the 11th city to take part in the “Secure Cities Partnership" which began back in 2012.
Cities such as Detroit, Pontiac, Saginaw and Flint have already signed up.
State Police don't answer 911 calls during the partnership but troopers serve as back-up for Lansing officers.
