Featured photo: Flint Police Chief Terence Green, Mayor Sheldon Neeley and Prosecutor David Leyton
Written by Tanya Terry
It’s a statement many if not most people agree with; one death is too much.
That’s what Mayor Sheldon Neeley also said at a recent press conference. During the press conference, Neeley, the City of Flint Police Department and Prosecutor David Leyton announced witness protection initiatives.
According to Neeley, our society says “don’t tell” when a crime is committed.
“We also have localized terrorism,” he said. “We have individuals afraid to step up, to give the information that’s necessary to get violent criminals off the street.”
Neeley stated those who spoke at the press conference who were acting as partners for the program wanted to fulfill their responsibility to protect the residents of Flint and of Genesee County.
According to Leyton, the witness protection program announced had been “a long time coming.”
Leyton said others could attest to the fact he had been talking about such a program for close to if not all his 18-year tenure as county prosecutor.
“It’s needed today more than ever,” he added.
He acknowledged those who have feared coming forward in regards to violent crime were “correct” in their fear because they be harmed, in addition to their families being harmed.
Another reason Leyton said the program was needed was because the Michigan Supreme Court is pondering a case that would eliminate the one-person grand jury in our state, which his office has used extensively in cases in which witnesses were afraid to come forward.
“For the time being, it allowed us to charge the individuals who we believe committed a crime,” Leyton said.
The program would allow witnesses to be housed in places they won’t be found.
A memorandum will be signed by the Prosecutor’s Office on behalf of the county and Neeley on behalf of the city.
The program will be administered by the Prosecutor’s Office, as well as by Flint Police Chief Terence Green.
Leyton applauded Neeley for proposing to use ARPA dollars to fund the program, but said down the road these funds will run out.
Leyton also expressed his belief there should be a statewide witness protection program, as New York and California have.
Neeley expressed the need for the Flint City Council to continue to approve budget items, such as for the witness protection program.
He stated in the city of Flint major crime is down, but said partnership with the residents of the community is still needed.
In addition, he expressed an interest in partnering with philanthropic organizations for longer term funding of the program. Money has also been raised within the police department from forfeitures and confiscated items to help support the program.
“To sustain it for the next few years, we’re looking at on the downside probably about half a million dollars,” Neeley stated.
Green said he feels the police department will be better able to solve and prevent crimes as a result of more people coming forward when and if the program begins.
