Macomb County Prosecutor Offers Crime Prevention Presentations for National Crime Prevention Month

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office is offering free presentations to promote awareness and proactive steps to educate our communities in an effort to stop crime.

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Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Dawn Fraylick, Communications Director             
Office: +1 (586) 469-5737 
Cell: +1 (586) 842-4421                                           
Email: Dawn.Fraylick@macombgov.org  

October 4, 2024                   

Macomb County Prosecutor Offers Crime Prevention Presentations for National Crime Prevention Month

Mount Clemens, MI – In recognition of National Crime Prevention Month this October, the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office is offering free presentations to promote awareness and proactive steps to educate our communities in an effort to stop crime. This month-long observance underscores the importance of public safety initiatives, crime prevention strategies, and community engagement to foster a safer environment for all residents of Macomb County.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office serves as the chief law enforcement agency for Macomb County, responsible for prosecuting all criminal cases in the county. The office works tirelessly to ensure justice is served, and the community remains safe through collaboration with law enforcement, and crime prevention efforts.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed to implementing strategies aimed at both preventing crime and addressing its root causes. By working closely with law enforcement, schools, and community groups, Prosecutor Lucido and the entire staff of the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office are prioritizing educational outreach, support services for victims, and coordinated crime-reduction efforts across the county.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in the criminal justice system. Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. “Our office is dedicated to ensuring that our residents have access to resources that can help them stay safe, protect their families, and contribute to a stronger, more resilient community. By focusing on education, outreach, and collaboration, we can make a meaningful impact in our community.”

Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office provides education presentations to prevent crimes and keep Macomb County safe for everyone. If you would like to schedule any of these free presentations for your school, group or organization please contact Heather Esposito at (586) 469-5642 or heather.esposito@macombgov.org.  We will be happy to schedule a presentation for you.
 

  • Stopping Violence in Schools Presentations Available: The Juvenile Unit gives free presentations to Macomb County students, focusing on the prevention of bullying, school violence and threats. These presentations educate students on the serious consequences of such actions, aims to keep teens out of the criminal justice system and discusses if you see something, say something and report potential threats confidentially through the OK2SAY program by texting 652729 or calling 8-555-OK2SAY.  Parents and students can access the "Stopping Violence in Schools" guide at https://www.macombgov.org/departments/prosecutors-office/units/juvenile-division 

 

  • Domestic Violence Prevention Presentations Available: The Domestic Violence Unit offers free presentations to Macomb County students, covering topics like the cycle of violence, reporting abuse, and the consequences of domestic violence and juvenile crimes. These sessions aim to educate students on the real-life impact of violence, help them avoid the criminal justice system, and protect them from toxic relationships. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge to recognize and prevent harmful behaviors. For more information on Domestic Violence and resources available visit https://www.macombgov.org/domesticviolence

 

  • Hate Crimes 101 Presentations Available:  The Hate Crimes Unit has launched a Hate Crimes Awareness Program titled, “Hate Crimes 101”, which seeks to educate the public about the nature of hate crimes, their impact on victims and communities, and the importance of reporting such incidents to law enforcement. During the presentation, Hate Crime Unit Chief Patrick Coletta will discuss various aspects of hate crimes, including the definition and characteristics of hate crimes, examples of hate-motivated offenses, and procedures and resources available to victims. For more information on Hate Crimes please visit https://www.macombgov.org/hate-crimes

 

  • Crime Victim Services Available: The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office supports crime victims and their families through its Crime Victims Rights Unit. Professionally trained advocates assist victims throughout the justice process, offering services like help with Michigan Crime Victims Compensation, court attendance, and guidance on the criminal justice system. Victims can text “Victim” to (586) 250-4090 to request their rights and connect a Crime Victim Advocate.  For more information visit macombgov.org/victimsrights

     
  • Help Collect Back Child Support or Get Back on Track with Your Child Support:  The Prosecutor’s Office Family Division, in collaboration with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department, focuses on enforcing financial responsibility and addressing felony child support warrants. This initiative is about accountability and compassion. By providing parents an opportunity to meet their obligations without immediately resorting to prosecution.  Under Michigan law, individuals owing more than $5,000 in child support, missing three consecutive payments, and having the ability to pay may face criminal charges. To avoid possible prosecution and arrange a payment plan, individuals can contact the Family Division at (586) 493-4488 or email pafamilysupport@macombgov.org. More information is available at https://macombgov.org/childsupport

 

  • SCAMS Presentations Available: Prosecutor Lucido and the Senior Crime Unit offers presentations and provides an informational booklet, "S.C.A.M.S. Stopping Crimes Against Macomb Seniors," (available at  https://macombgov.org/prosecutor) detailing scams like identity theft, telemarketing, and caregiver fraud. Prosecutor Lucido aims to protect seniors by equipping them with the knowledge to avoid falling victim. Free SCAMS presentations are held throughout Macomb County, offering guidance and resources to seniors. For more information please visit:  https://macombgov.org/scams

Providing these presentations is not the only improvement Prosecutor Lucido has made since January 2021.  Other progress includes:

  • Auto Theft Unit Achieves Milestone - The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Auto Theft Unit has achieved a milestone by reducing all pending auto-related warrant requests to zero, despite handling an increased number of complex Continuing Criminal Enterprise (CCE) cases. The Unit's progress is especially significant given the rise in CCE cases, which require more resources and involve numerous underlying crimes.
  • Warrant Unit Process Faster Than Ever Before  -The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office Warrant Unit has significantly improved the efficiency of processing adult warrant requests, reducing the number of pending requests to record lows, despite an increase in police submissions. The Warrant Unit focuses on expediting cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies like armed robbery and assault with intent to murder.
  • Record Efficiency in Drug Unit - The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Drug Unit has reduced pending drug warrant requests to a record low of just one. The swift processing of drug cases balances public safety with rehabilitation efforts like drug courts for low-level offenders and supports the fight against the opioid crisis enhancing community safety.
  • Child Protection Unit Agressively Reduced Warrants -The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Child Protection Unit has reduced pending warrant requests to 15, the lowest all year, despite a rise in sexual assault cases. This  unit’s efficiency and dedication, ensures quicker case resolutions for victims while holding offenders accountable.
  • Child Support Collections Increased: intensified efforts to collect child support from parents who owe $5,000 or more, successfully collecting $1.3 million for Macomb County children since last year under this new initiative, with most collections done while avoiding criminal prosecution.
  • Macomb County Prosecutor Shatters Glass Ceiling: Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido hired a record number of women as assistant prosecuting attorneys, with women filling 70% of new positions in the past three years. A majority of all assistant prosecuting attorneys handling cases in the county are now women. Lucido also promoted a record number of women to lead special units within the prosecutor’s office. After implementing an objective hiring process, and a commitment to build a diverse and inclusive team to prosecute crimes and reflect the community we serve, Lucido successfully filled all assistant prosecutor positions despite a national shortage, a rarity for an office this size.
  • Record Set for Fast Domestic Violence Warrant Processing:  the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office is processing domestic violence warrant requests more efficiently than ever, a significant improvement compared to the years before Lucido took office when warrant requests seeking domestic violence charges for out-of-custody defendants could accumulate.
  • Victim services improved 67%: More Macomb County crime victims get more help. The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office increased by ⅔ the percentage of crime victims receiving crucial support services compared to 2020, the year before Lucido took office. More victims now receive victim rights services, including but not limited to assigned victim advocates, help getting restitution, hearing notices or other kinds of support.
  • Criminal charge requests for juveniles reviewed faster than ever:  The Juvenile Unit is now authorizing or denying petitions at an unprecedented speed, with the number of pending requests reduced to the lowest levels in recent memory, supporting the broader goal of rehabilitating young offenders and protecting vulnerable children.
  • Mental Health Assessments for Gun Crime Defendants: Started a first-in-Michigan policy requiring mental health assessments as part of bond conditions in all gun crime cases, using existing resources to provide an opportunity for mental health services before a suspect gets a chance to commit another crime with a gun.
  • Hate Crimes Unit Launched: created a Hate Crimes Unit, securing a vital U.S. Department of Justice grant paying 100% of all its costs, a distinction granted to only 16 organizations nationwide last year. Appointed Michigan's first and only solely-dedicated hate crimes prosecutor at a county level, ensuring robust enforcement and community education.
  • Conviction Integrity Unit Exoneration: started this unit to investigate claims of innocence as a result of clear and convincing new evidence that the convicted defendant was not the person who committed the offense, and to review claims of factual innocence based on new evidence such as DNA.  This unit secured an exoneration.
  • Major Crimes Unit Launched: Prosecutor Lucido organized the top-ranked assistant prosecutors to focus on major crimes, and train more assistant prosecutors to handle these types of cases.
  • Warrant Appeals Unit Launched: Established the state’s first formal prosecutor’s office unit allowing domestic violence victims (and all other crime victims) and law enforcement officials to have a second review of warrant requests where charges were denied.
  • Digital Evidence Management Platform Implemented: With over 800,000 pieces of digital evidence, police agencies can now upload digital evidence, which the Prosecutor’s Office reviews, and defense lawyers can download directly, resulting in “discovery” information faster than it’s ever been provided.
  • Increased Internships: Hosted over 200 law school and college interns. Court rules permit law student interns to handle court hearings under supervision, which helps the office serve victims and expedite cases.
  • Paperless Crime Victim Rights: Implemented the county’s first paperless system for crime victims to request rights and notifications via text message or online.
  • Police Training Provided: Regular training sessions by assistant prosecutors are conducted for every police agency in Macomb County, including updates on recent court cases.
  • Enhanced Auto Theft Unit: Addressed a surge in attacks on car dealerships and manufacturing plants, prosecuting more continuing criminal enterprise cases in the past two years than in the previous decade, resulting in over $800,000 in restitution.
  • Record number of national good government awards received:  The National Association of Counties (NaCO) presented 26 awards to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office during Lucido’s tenure.  The 12 awards received in 2024 is the highest (record) number of awards the organization has ever presented in one year.
     

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