[VIDEO] BH Officials Introduce Crime Reduction Program

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A new initiative to reduce crime has been introduced in Benton Harbor.

Officials gathered Thursday for a press conference following four different shootings this week to announce Operation Mayberry. Public Safety Director Dan McGinnis said county, state, and federal agencies are coming in to help stem violence. He said police and other leaders have to address apathy.

“We haven’t had certain things that have allowed certain criminality to go rampant, and unfortunately certain citizens have just accepted it as is, and I’m saying that’s absolutely not the case,” McGinnis said. “We have to change that mentality.”

McGinnis also said that community members should not be afraid to speak up and contact police if they see suspicious behavior.

“So [with] confidentiality, we want people to know that if they say ‘I don’t want to be identified’ for tips, they can trust us,” McGinnis said.

Pastor Chester Gully of the Southwest Michigan Ministerial Alliance said people can break their silence by speaking to their pastors, and the church will protect their anonymity. McGinnis said Operation Mayberry will be a five year effort to engage the public, schools, clergy, and officials in crime reduction. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department has pledged extra overtime patrols with a commitment of $25,000 from the county administration.