[ad_1]<\/p>\n
WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) \u2014<\/strong> A Michigan coalition received a $50,000 grant from United Way of Washtenaw County to develop a non-police response program in Ann Arbor.<\/p>\n According to a press release, the Coalition to Re-Envisioning Our Safety (CROS) developed the program after the Ann Arbor City Council passed a resolution in 2021 directing the city administrator to develop an unarmed public safety response program.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>MDOT: Here’s A List Of Construction In Metro Detroit This Weekend<\/a><\/p>\n The coalition includes faith leaders, social workers, therapists, public health and healthcare workers, researchers, community builders, racial, justice organizers and activists.<\/p>\n Officials say the program is part of a series of initiatives involving Eastern Michigan University\u2019s Southeast Michigan Criminal Justice Policy Research Project (SMART) to facilitate community-led projects in the region.<\/p>\n Kevin Karpiak, director of SMART, is also a member of the coalition.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>Ford Expands Recall For Possible Engine Fires, Tells Drivers To Park Outside<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s exciting about the work that CROS is doing, and why I\u2019m so happy to be a part of it, is that it\u2019s a real opportunity for Washtenaw County to be a national leader on these issues,\u201d Karpiak said. \u201cWe\u2019re showing the benefits of directing the resources and expertise of higher education into community-led efforts to address contemporary challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n Other programs include collaborations with the Ann Arbor Police Department and Independent Community Police Oversight Commission, the East Dearborn Downtown Development Association, and EMU\u2019s Public Safety Oversight Committee.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the wake of public reassessments, over the last few years, of how we provide and administer public safety, many municipalities are exploring new and creative ways to provide care and safety that do not pass through the traditional mechanisms of the criminal justice system,\u201d Karpiak said. \u201cAmong these innovations are \u2018alternative response\u2019 or \u2018unarmed non-police response\u2019 programs.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information, CROS\u2019 website at reenvisionoursafety.org<\/a> and SMART at emich.edu\/smart-research-project<\/a>.<\/p>\n MORE NEWS: <\/strong>Engineering Firm Fined In 2021 Death Of Diver Inspecting Allegan County Dam<\/a><\/p>\n