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LANSING – On Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced nearly 950 illegal guns have been taken off the streets as part of Operation Safe Neighborhoods. Since the operation began, law enforcement officials have conducted 10,029 check-ins with felony offenders, leading to 948 illegal guns taken off the street. During sweeps, officers have also recovered illegal drugs and ammunition.

“Every Michigander deserves to feel safe in their community,” said Governor Whitmer. “That’s why I’m proud Operation Safe Neighborhoods has taken nearly 950 illegal guns off the street, making real progress to protect our communities and prevent violence before it happens. Together, let’s keep working across the aisle to protect communities, hold criminals accountable, and build a Michigan where every Michigander feels safe at home, school, and work.”

“Removing illegal firearms from our streets saves lives and gives families peace of mind,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “With nearly 950 guns out of hands that shouldn’t have them, Operation Safe Neighborhoods is one of the many ways we’re working to build safer, more resilient communities, especially in neighborhoods that have been historically overlooked. We will keep showing up to prevent gun violence, save lives, and protect Michigan families.”

Operation Safe Neighborhoods is a statewide crackdown on crime aimed at reducing gun violence by getting illegal guns off the street and out of the hands of people who cannot legally possess a gun due to prior criminal history.

“By removing firearms from those who are legally prohibited from possessing them, Operation Safe Neighborhoods is helping to prevent violence and protect our neighbors,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police. “This program is one part of a comprehensive approach to violence prevention in our state, which also includes efforts such as our Youth Violence Prevention Summits, statewide access to free gun locks, and efforts to ensure Michiganders know they can ‘Stop a Plot’ by paying attention to the warning signs of violence and reporting them to law enforcement.”

“The vigilance and commitment of our MDOC agents and law enforcement partners continue to produce real results in protecting the public,” said Director Heidi E. Washington, Michigan Department of Corrections. “Operation Safe Neighborhoods not only removes illegal guns off the street, but this initiative has also led to the discovery and confiscation of illicit drugs and other dangerous weapons such as pipe bombs. We will continue to hold returning residents accountable and assist in the prosecution for those found breaking the terms of their supervision.”

“Illegal gun possession and use have put many communities at risk for increased violence,” said Sheriff Fuller, Kalamazoo County. “Through the implementation of Governor Whitmer’s Operation Safe Neighborhoods we have seen an inspiring decrease in illegal gun possession. The program has led to charges being brought against individuals who had no business carrying or possessing firearms. Through coordinated team efforts check-ins with felony offenders have led to drugs, guns, and ammunition confiscations. Today our neighborhoods are safer with the removal of 950 guns directly connected to this operation. Everyday your state and local leaders are working with our communities to develop new commonsense ways of making our world safer. As Sheriff and member of the State Gun Violence Prevention Task Force I recognize and appreciate when smart thinking saves lives and reduces community stress.”

Nearly one in three reported violent crimes in Michigan involve a firearm. This initiative builds on Governor Whitmer’s MI Safe Communities program that she launched in 2021 to invest in local police, get illegal guns off the street, and fund expanded opportunities in jobs, education, and the justice system.

About Operation Safe Neighborhoods

Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) parole and probation agents team up with local law enforcement across the state and conduct enhanced compliance checks on probationers and parolees who are legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

There are roughly 32,000 probationers and 8,600 parolees in the state, many of whom have been convicted previously of a gun crime. These individuals are supervised by more than 1,000 MDOC parole and probation agents. The plan the department devised and implemented is aimed at focusing on high-risk individuals who have weapons possession in their criminal history that could be used to commit further crime.

Governor Whitmer’s Record Breaking Public Safety Investments

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has worked closely with local leaders, law enforcement officers, and community organizations to ensure people feel safe in their neighborhoods. The governor has signed seven balanced, bipartisan budgets, each making record investments to help communities fund local law enforcement departments and hire more first responders. Whitmer has also invested over $1.7 billion into public safety. Last year’s budget includes $60 million for Public Safety Revenue Sharing grants to provide cities, villages, and townships with additional resources for police services and to support community violence intervention efforts and $15 million for community violence intervention grants to reduce gun violence and save lives.

In April 2023, Governor Whitmer signed commonsense gun violence prevention bills that will establish universal background checks for all firearm purchases and safe storage requirements. In May 2023, Governor Whitmer signed bills establishing extreme risk protection orders in Michigan, ensuring police officers, health care professionals, and family members concerned about someone who may harm themselves or others can seek a court order to temporarily confiscate their firearms. In November 2023, Governor Whitmer signed bills disallowing convicted domestic abusers from owning firearms. In June 2024, Governor Whitmer signed ED 2024-4 to establish the Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to further work in gun violence reduction. This year’s budget proposal includes $2.5 million to continue the work of the statewide gun violence prevention task force. Whitmer proposed the commonsense gun violence prevention legislation during her 2023 State of the State address and has worked with the Michigan Legislature, community groups, law enforcement, students and parents following the shooting at Michigan State University in February 2023 and the shooting at Oxford High School in November 2021 to get these commonsense measures that will reduce gun violence signed into law.