FLINT -- A power panel of local, state and federal law enforcement called the people of Flint to action Monday, at a town hall meeting hosted by Flint Lifelines, formerly CeaseFire F.L.I.N.T.
Flint Police Chief Alvern Lock was joined by the city’s public safety administrator, Barnett Jones, Michigan State Police First Lt. Matt Bolger, among others, to ask the public to work with them, simply by speaking up when crime hits.
"You want us to be successful? Help us be successful,” Chief Lock said.
2012 is already on track to be one of the deadliest years in Flint, with 45 homicides tallied so far. Flint detectives can hardly keep up with the number of unsolved cases rapidly piling up.
"We have not seen a police, a detective, or nobody since the day of that murder,” said TheLisa Anthony, the mother of Antonio Anthony, who was killed October 2011.
But amid financial woes, Flint police say they're making headway.
Through a unique partnership with state police, Flint detectives are hammering away at the caseload. Local agencies such as Resource Genesee are offering preventive services to fight crime before it happens.
The efforts are part of the Lifelines program. Federal officials say it could be a game changer.
"You can't do things the old way and expect to get different results,” said U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade.
“This is a fresh program. It's been successful elsewhere, and I'm very optimistic it's going to be successful here in Flint."
But police say the game will never change unless engaged, concerned citizens rise to the occasion and fill the gap no officer can.
