While representatives from several apartment complexes to the north of Eastern Michigan University attended a neighborhood watch meeting only a handful of residents were present.
Law enforcement officials from EMU, Ypsilanti, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department say it will take participation from the residents to reduce crime in the Leforge Road area.
Jess Spike is the Ypsilanti Township Neighborhood Watch Liaison for the sheriff's department. Spike says they have received more assistance since the homicide of EMU football player Demarius Reed.
A new community action team including law enforcement officers from Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department will work on narcotics and other crimes across the city and surrounding neighborhoods. The new team is a result of the greater collaboration between law enforcement in the Leforge Road area after Reed's death.
Ypsilanti Township has had a similar program in place for several years and township officials say it has been successful.
— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.
