Northwest MI Law Enforcement Leaders Say Early Care and Learning & Quality After-School, Cut Future Crime

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Northwest MI Law Enforcement Leaders Say Early Care and Learning & Quality After-School, Cut Future Crime

Rep. Greg MacMaster honored for supporting Michigan’s investment in kids

CHARLEVOIX, MI — Law enforcement leaders held a round table discussion on Monday to share budget highlights from the 2012 Supplemental and the Fiscal Year 2013 State Budget. They raised awareness about the Great Start to Quality Resource Center, the connection between early childhood care and education, quality after-school options, and juvenile crime. To support their findings, they cited research showing that thousands of Michigan kids become victims of child abuse and neglect every year, only two out of every three at-risk 4-year-olds and one in five at-risk 3-year-olds are able to access high-quality preschool, and after-school hours are the prime time for juvenile crime.

The research also shows that voluntary home visiting programs can significantly cut child abuse and neglect, and that home visiting, high-quality preschool together with quality child day care, quality after-school programs, and proven programs that get troubled kids back on track, also work to reduce later crime.

Gathering at the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office, the group recognized Rep. Greg MacMaster (R-Kewadin) with its “Crime Fighter Award” for his support for early care and education including Great Start to Quality and a $5 million increase in the state-funded preschool, support for quality home visiting, support for bully prevention, and his leadership that added $1 million for a summer after-school program for Fiscal Year 2013. Further, the participants called on lawmakers to maintain funding for these proven-effective services that help get kids on the right track to success and improve public safety.

Among those participating in the event were Charlevoix County Sheriff Don Schneider, Prosecutor John Jarema and Charlevoix Police Chief Gerard Doan, Charlevoix-Emmet ISD Safe Schools Coordinator Dennis Halverson, Central Lake Police Department Chief Scott Barrett, Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin and Emmet County Prosecutor James Linderman.

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