U.S. Attorney for the Western District on Michigan Mark Totten has announced Safe Summer 2024, a program to address the rise in gun violence that often accompanies the warmer summer months in Southwest Michigan.
Totten was in Benton Harbor on Thursday to speak alongside Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit, Benton Harbor Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis, Michigan State Police Captain Michael Brown, and Benton Township Police Chief Greg Abrams. The four are partnering up to ensure gun crimes are fully prosecuted. Totten explained.
“Under this program, my office is committing to federally prosecute all gun offenders who commit a federal firearms law offense and who do so with a crime gun,” Totten said.
Totten said gun violence in 2021 became the leading cause of death for young people, something he never wants to accept. Therefore, when it’s possible to apply federal charges to gun crimes, he’s going to do so.
However, Totten said prosecution alone won’t solve gun crimes.
“I’m encouraged to see so many people right here in Berrien County who are united against gun violence. But we also know that we’re part of the solution and we have a role to play and that’s what this program is aimed at.”
Totten said the two most common federal gun offenses are felon in possession, and using a crime gun in the commission of a crime. A crime gun is a gun that’s previously been used in a crime. Totten will pursue federal charges in all cases involving these two offenses, or any others to which federal charges could apply.
Totten said police throughout the region will collaborate from Memorial Day through Labor Day to make the community safer.
