Flint Branch of the NAACP
3455 Lippincott Blvd.
Flint, Michigan 48507
Governor Rick Snyder
PO Box 30013
Lansing MI 48909
July 7, 2014
Dear Honorable Snyder;
I am writing you to make you aware of the prevailing emotions we feel in Flint by another citizen being killed by the Michigan State Police in a traffic chase. We are saddened and outraged by the senseless nature of this death and frustrated because of the lack of a change in your chase policy in the city of Flint. These are neighborhoods where real people raise their children and provide for their families. Flint is not a city where state police can speed through neighborhoods and not expect someone to be seriously injured.
We ask that you order a change in the Michigan State Police’s “chase policy” to reflect the same value on human life that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and the Flint City Police Departments have regarding the danger of police chases in residential areas. Each life is precious and chasing a person who ran a stop light with total disregard to the consequences is reckless and should have been the catalyst to stop this policy with the first death. You sent the Michigan State Police to assist the Flint Police Department in combating crime, not recklessly chasing traffic violators and racially profiling our citizens. Enough is enough!!!!
Your immediate attention in this matter is being requested before another senseless killing occurs.
Sincerely,
Frances L. Gilcreast, President
Cc: Michigan State Conference NAACP President
