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Eastern Washtenaw Safety Alliance Introduced

Bob Eccles

State Representative David Rutledge has formally introduced a collaborative effort to address public safety, an effort at least partially in response to a rash of crimes on Washtenaw County's east side, including the killing of Eastern Michigan University student athlete Demarius Reed, 

Rutledge announced the Eastern Washtenaw Safety Initiative, which brings together the county sheriff's office and Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan University police.

"The centerpiece of this," Rutledge says, "is the removal of the jurisdictional boundaries that have in some ways handicapped effective policing in our community."

Police at EMU and in the city of Ypsilanti have been deputized by the sheriff's office, so they no longer hit a brick wall when they reach the border of their jurisdiction. 

The initiative includes the hiring of more police officers and improvements to street lighting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1tXLevk_uc