Flint, Michigan – Flint’s response to gun violence is moving beyond individual investigations. City leaders are now pushing for a wider strategy that brings police, prosecutors, judges and community voices into the same room.
Mayor Sheldon A. Neeley is calling for a public safety summit as Flint continues to confront an increase in shootings, arguing that reducing violence will require agencies and local leaders to work together rather than respond separately.
The planned summit will bring together local and federal law enforcement officials, judges, prosecutors, education leaders and faith leaders. The goal is to identify what is working, where gaps remain and what additional steps can be taken to reduce gun violence across the city.
“Shootings demand more than individual agencies working separately,” Neeley said.
“We need to bring the people responsible for public safety and justice together, at the same table, to identify what is working, what needs to change and what more we can do to protect our residents.”
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The mayor is also urging courts, within their legal authority, to weigh public safety closely when considering bond and pretrial release decisions involving people accused of violent gun crimes. He has asked the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office to pursue the strongest appropriate charges when supported by the facts and the law.
Flint is also increasing its cooperation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives over illegally modified firearms. That effort includes devices commonly called “switches,” which can convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. According to the city, ATF has committed to taking over and prosecuting appropriate cases involving the devices.
The Flint Police Department, meanwhile, continues investigating recent shootings with local, state and federal partners.
Police Chief Terence Green said help from residents remains critical.
“Every shooting affects more than the people directly involved — it affects families, neighborhoods and our entire community,” Green said. “We need residents who have information to come forward so we can get these cases solved.”
Flint is working with Crime Stoppers to offer rewards of up to $500 for information leading to the arrest of anyone possessing a “switch” during a shooting in the city. Anonymous tips can be submitted at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245).
The expanded response comes five years after Neeley declared a gun violence state of emergency in July 2021. That declaration remains in effect.
“Our residents deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets and in their neighborhoods,” Neeley said. “We will continue using every lawful tool available to us, and we will continue bringing our partners together until we see the level of violence come down.”