Transparency Dashboard Promotes Public Trust

Transparency Dashboard Promotes Public Trust

by | Mar 29, 2021 | Regional News

Transparency Dashboard Promotes Public Trust In Law Enforcement

Waterford, MI – Oakland County is paving the way to easier access to information about law enforcement interactions through a Transparency Dashboard that local law enforcement agencies can make available on their websites.

“Community trust in their government, including law enforcement, is an important part of working together to strengthen the fabric of our communities” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “We hope communities find the Transparency Dashboard a useful tool to enhance their local transparency efforts.”

In partnership with Oakland County’s Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information System (CLEMIS) and Arx Community, Oakland County led the development of the tool, which features information about citations, arrests, and calls for service. Users can drill down to more detailed information about arrest trends, including breakdown by age, race and gender. Agencies can also add information and data to their dashboards.

Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, and police departments in Novi, Lathrup Village and Southfield helped to develop the dashboard and their data is available as a model. The dashboards are being provided free of charge for the first two years and all agencies are invited to participate.

“We have always been an open book in our service to the community and this is another opportunity for us to showcase that ongoing transparency,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard said.

“The Novi Police Department has always believed that an open and transparent government is crucial to building public trust,” said Chief David Molloy, director of public safety for the City of Novi. “We applaud County Executive Coulter for his vision in making the Transparency Dashboard a reality.”

The way the dashboard works is, a report is initiated by the law enforcement agency, which is then verified, approved and entered into the CLEMIS records management system. CLEMIS provides the data to Arx Community, which pushes the data to the agencies’ Transparency Dashboard for the public. Refreshing the data every 24 hours ensures that the information is always current.

“The transparency tool is a great tool that we have at our disposal,” said Deputy Chief Jeffrey A. Jagielski of Southfield Police Department. “It lets our community know what we are doing in the best interest of transparency.”

“The feedback I am receiving from my elected officials and the community is all positive. The Transparency Dashboard is a useful tool for the residents, so they can see exactly what their police department is doing,” said Chief of Lathrup Village Police Scott McKee. “I believe this dashboard will aid in bridging the gap and building trust between our police department and the residents we serve.

Oakland County’s CLEMIS is a consortium of criminal justice and public safety agencies that share information with each other. It promotes communication among multiple agencies through its innovative computer technology and sharing of criminal justice information. A total of 126 Michigan police agencies are members of CLEMIS, including every police agency in Oakland County.

Lt. Governor Gilchrist Tours Vaccine Facility in Dearborn 

Lt. Governor Gilchrist Tours Vaccine Facility in Dearborn 

by | Mar 29, 2021 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 29, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

PHOTOS: Lt. Governor Gilchrist Tours Vaccine Facility in Dearborn

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist traveled to the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center vaccination site in Dearborn to observe ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts and ensure that vaccines are being distributed efficiently and equitably. He was joined by Senator Sylvia Santana, Rep. Abdullah Hammoud, Wayne County Commissioner Sam Baydoun, and Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja.

 

“Our administration has been working around the clock to expand our vaccine program in an efficient and equitable manner so that every Michigander has access to the safe and effective vaccines,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “I am grateful to the Dearborn Fire Department, local officials, and volunteers working together to create a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach to keeping people safe and healthy. The vaccination efforts like the one in Dearborn are crucial to beating COVID-19, and I encourage all Michiganders to get any of the three vaccines once they become eligible.”

 

To date, Michigan has administered 3,919,796 vaccines, moving the state closer to its goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible. As part of these efforts, Michigan is working to administer 50,000 shots per day, partnering with organizations like the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center to create more opportunities for Michigan residents to receive a vaccine.

 

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Court Reinstates Claim Against Opioid Defendants 

Court Reinstates Claim Against Opioid Defendants 

by | Mar 29, 2021 | Regional News

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media Contact:

 Kelly Rossman-McKinney
(c) 517-512-9342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, March 29, 2021

Court Reinstates AG Nessel Claim Against Opioid Defendants

LANSING – Michigan’s lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court against major opioid distributors scored a significant win, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today.

Judge Patricia Perez Fresard granted a motion filed by Nessel seeking to reinstate a claim against the defendants that had been previously dismissed.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, representing the State of Michigan, filed a lawsuit in December 2019 against Cardinal Health Inc., McKesson Corp., AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. and Walgreens for their lack of oversight of the distribution and sale of opioid products.

“We appreciate the court determining our claim of statutory nuisance against these companies is appropriate to proceed,” Nessel said. “This ruling reflects some of the hard work going on every day in my office and beyond to hold those with shared responsibility for the opioid epidemic accountable.”

The suit alleges these companies knowingly participated in the illegal distribution of prescription opioids purchased by Michigan residents and are liable to the State of Michigan under the Drug Dealer Liability Act as well as statutory nuisance grounds.
Whitmer Tours Vaccine Facilities in Battle Creek, Benton Harbor 

Whitmer Tours Vaccine Facilities in Battle Creek, Benton Harbor 

by | Mar 29, 2021 | Regional News

header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

PHOTOS: Gov. Whitmer Tours Vaccine Facilities in Battle Creek, Benton Harbor

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Whitmer toured vaccine facilities in Battle Creek and Benton Harbor to observe ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts and ensure that vaccines are being distributed efficiently and equitably.

 

“Just one year ago, we were all grappling with a novel virus, but now we have three safe, effective vaccines that can protect us and our families, and help us get back to normal,” said Governor Whitmer. “Sites like the YMCA in Battle Creek and the health department in Benton Harbor will help us reach our goal of equitably vaccinating 70 percent of Michiganders who are 16 years or older more quickly. I encourage all Michiganders to get the vaccine once it becomes available to you. Let’s beat COVID-19 together.”

 

In Battle Creek, Governor Whitmer visited the Battle Creek Family YMCA alongside Rep. Jim Haadsma, Calhoun County Medical Director Dr. William Nettleton, Calhoun County Health Officer Eric Bessell, and Battle Creek YMCA CEO Jill Hinde. The YMCA vaccination site is staffed by members of the Michigan National Guard.

 

In Benton Harbor, Governor Whitmer visited the Berrien County Health Department with Congressman Fred Upton and Berrien County Health Department Director Nicole Brittien. The health department is staffed by members of the Michigan National Guard.

 

To date, Michigan has administered 3,919,796 vaccines, moving the state closer to its goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible. As part of these efforts, Michigan is working to administer 50,000 shots per day, partnering with organizations like the Battle Creek YMCA and local health departments like Berrien County Health Department to create more opportunities for Michigan residents to receive a vaccine.

 

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Bill Expands Access to Federal Funding for Foster Youth

Bill Expands Access to Federal Funding for Foster Youth

by | Mar 29, 2021 | Regional News

header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

Governor Whitmer Signs Bill Expanding Access to Federal Funding for Foster Youth Placed in Qualified Residential Treatment Programs

 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 100 into law. By making a technical change to the Child Care Licensing Act, SB 100 will expand availability of federal funding for qualified residential treatment programs – specialized programs for foster youth who require additional, higher levels of social and emotional support.

 

“I am proud to sign this legislation that will allow for investment in Michigan’s foster youth, expanding access to additional support through critical treatment programs,” said Governor Whitmer. “As we build back better from the pandemic and work to provide families and communities relief, we have to make sure everyone has the resources they need to succeed.”

 

Specifically, Senate Bill 100 adds a definition of “foster care” to a section of the Child Care Licensing Act, 1973 PA 115, concerning children in foster care who are placed in qualified residential treatment programs.

 

The new definition will allow for the development of court rules required by the federal Family First Prevention Services Act for placement of foster youth within qualified residential treatment programs. Development of appropriate court rules is a prerequisite for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to access certain federal funding related to foster care.

 
AG Calls on Facebook, Twitter to Stop Anti-Vaxxer Disinformation 

AG Calls on Facebook, Twitter to Stop Anti-Vaxxer Disinformation 

by | Mar 25, 2021 | Regional News

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media Contact:

 Kelly Rossman-McKinney
(c) 517-512-9342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Attorney General Nessel Calls on Facebook, Twitter to Stop Spread of Anti-Vaxxer Coronavirus Disinformation

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel today joined a coalition of 11 other attorneys general calling on Facebook and Twitter to take stronger measures to stop the spread of anti-vaxxer coronavirus disinformation on their social media platforms. In letters to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, the attorneys general urge both leaders to immediately and fully enforce company guidelines against vaccine misinformation to prevent needless infection and death and to hasten the road to recovery.

False information regarding the safety of coronavirus vaccines by a small number of individuals lacking medical expertise and often motivated by their own financial interests has reached more than 59 million followers on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter, threatening to undermine vaccine acceptance and harm the nation’s recovery. Anti-vaxxers have used these platforms to disproportionately target people of color and Black Americans specifically—communities who have already suffered the worst health impacts of the virus and whose vaccination rates are already lagging.

“The availability of safe and effective vaccines means the end of this pandemic is finally in sight. However, disinformation threatens that,” Nessel said. “The rampant disinformation being disseminated across social media platforms directly undermines all efforts to safely and quickly distribute vaccines and limit further loss of life.”

The letter cites specific examples where Facebook and Twitter have failed to enforce their existing guidelines, including:

Twitter and Facebook have yet to remove from all their platforms the accounts of prominent anti-vaxxers who have repeatedly violated the companies’ terms of service. Digital media research groups estimate that as of March 10, 12 anti-vaxxers’ personal accounts and their associated organizations, groups and websites are responsible for 65% of public anti-vaccine content on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Facebook has failed to consistently apply misinformation labels and popups on Facebook pages and groups that discuss vaccines or COVID-19. For example, the company neglected to apply warning labels on dozens of Facebook groups that anti-vaxxer Larry Cook created for his followers. At the same time, the company has mistakenly flagged pro-vaccine pages and content in ways that have undermined pro-vaccine public education efforts.

Facebook has allowed anti-vaxxers to skirt its policy of removing misinformation that health experts have debunked, by failing to prevent them from using video and streaming tools like Facebook Live and sites like Bitchute, Rumble, and Brighteon to evade detection.

The letter comes as Zuckerberg, Dorsey and Google CEO Sundar Pichai are set to testify today at a joint hearing of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee and the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives regarding social media’s role in promoting extremism and misinformation.

Joining Attorney General Nessel in sending this letter are the Attorneys General of Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.