Over the past 12 months we have learned how partnerships between Law Enforcement, Business and our Community Residents are the key to the successful implementation of any program in a community.  The Target Safe City project was a catalyst that has led to numerous additional collaborative efforts between private businesses and the Flint Township Police Department, including the Safe Zone Surveillance Camera Project, National Night Out, the FBI National Academy Partnerships and monthly business meetings.   
 
This collaborative partnership started in October of 2005 when Clint Smith, Executive Team Leader for Target Assets Protection invited us to a presentation on Safe City.  This very informative meeting sparked a relationship that would be tested immediately, and on October 26, 2005 Flint Township Police Investigators were called to a hit and run fatal accident of a 16 year old youth who had been hit by a motor vehicle while walking from Church Services. During the investigation it was found that a local Italian Restaurant had a digital video camera system that may be of use in our investigation. After viewing the video it was found that the quality was poor because of the distance and type of system that was used to record the event.  I immediately called Clint Smith who sent the digital video files to Target's Forensics lab in Minnesota for evaluation.  With the help of Corporate Investigator Brent Pack and Scott Stillman, and the rest of Targets team of professionals, they were able to enhance and print photos of the suspect vehicle to give Flint Township Police Investigators a better identity of the suspect vehicle.
 
Flint Township Police have been extremely excited throughout the planning phases of Safe Zone Surveillance Camera Project, located at Miller, Linden and Corunna Road.  With the help of many partners, we are now at a point in the project where the installation of more than 25 cameras will start.  The Flint Township Police Department Surveillance Camera system will be an added tool to our department not only for the live video feed back to the Police Department but also as an investigative tool after the crime has occurred. 
 
As part of the Flint Township's Safe City Program business owners, managers and employees have the opportunity to be at a monthly meeting with command staff from the Flint Township Police Department. This meeting gives an opportunity to disseminate information to and from business's within the Township.  This meeting has proven to be an overwhelming success for everyone in attendance.  Guest speakers are brought in to discuss various topics such as over crowding of our jail system, prosecution of offenders and many other interesting topics of concern. 
 
Everyone who lives, shops and who comes into our Township knows that it is just a little bit safer because of our Safe City Project and our collaborative partnership with area businesses.

James Iacovacci Lieutenant Flint Township Police Department Investigations Unit

George N. Sippert Chief of Police Flint Township Police Department