Flint, Michigan – Flint officials are working harder to deal with a rise in crime by releasing a larger public safety strategy that focuses on prevention, intervention, and building closer relationships between citizens and police. This week, Mayor Sheldon Neeley unveiled the plan and said that the next step for the city will be to ask the State of Michigan for further help and resources.
The drive comes after a summer full of shootings, stabbings, and other public problems that were quite worrying. A deadly shooting during Flint’s annual 810 Day celebration and a video that went viral showing police firing pepper spray on a crowd were two of the more disturbing events. City officials believe that these incidents have broken people’s trust and shown how important it is to find long-term, coordinated answers right away.
Mayor Neeley said the goal is to go beyond quick, reactionary responses and to tackle the underlying causes of violence.
“Our community deserves more than reactive enforcement,” said Mayor Neeley. “We need strategies that address the root causes of violence, rebuild trust between residents and institutions, and create lasting change. That means building on the work we’ve started and securing the resources to take it further.”
The city’s new plan has four main areas of focus. The first goal is to stop violence in communities, and the money will go to organizations that engage directly with at-risk adolescents and neighborhoods that are most affected by violent crime. The second is intervention measures, such as credible messenger programs, conflict mediation, and trauma-informed services that are meant to stop cycles of revenge.
The third priority is training and working with the police. The purpose is to develop trust and hold police accountable by enhancing their skills in de-escalation, crisis response, and community outreach. Lastly, the city aims to spend money on collecting and analyzing data, making sure that there are independent evaluations and clear public reports on progress.
Neeley stressed that the city cannot do this alone, emphasizing the importance of state-level backing.
“With the right partnerships, we can turn the tide,” Mayor Neeley said. “This is about healing, prevention, and community-led solutions — not just enforcement.”
City leaders said they hope that the combination of prevention, intervention, and better involvement will not only cut down on violence in the near term, but also make Flint safer and more united in the long term.