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May 6, 2021 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN PAGE 5

WESTLAND
WESTLAND

Westland police partner with First Step facility

Westland police have a new domestic violence reported cases.
partner in efforts to help victims This is especially true during the
of domestic violence. current high-stress environment
Earlier this year, the Westland caused by the COVID-19 pandem-
Police Department formalized a ic, explained Westland Police
partnership with First Step, in an Chief Jeff Jedrusik.
effort to provide stronger, more In 2018, Westland police offi-
immediate resources to victims of cers responded to 1174 domestic
domestic violence, officials said. violence or family trouble calls.
As a result of this strengthened This number grew in 2019 to 1207,
partnership, the Westland Police and then to 1337 in 2020.
Department has named Alexis “While these calls sometimes
Reed as the Community result with a person arrested and
Response Survivor Advocate. She criminally charged (216 in 2018,
is present in the department to 297 in 2019 and 331 in 2020), 2/3 of
facilitate more immediate assis- domestic violence cases are not
tance to those impacted by prosecuted, often due to victims Westland Mayor William Wild, left, and Police Chief Jeff Jedrusik, right, officially welcomed new
domestic and sexual violence. who are afraid of the process and Community Response Survivor Advocate Alexis Reed to the city recently. Reed is in the department to
Reed graduated with a masters the uncertainty of the outcomes,” facilitate immediate assistance to those impacted by domestic and sexual violence.
degree in victimology and crimi- commented Jedrusik. “This is the families and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic identified as victims who are
nal justice, with a special interest why it is so important for us to impacted by these crimes. All and this partnership will be a going through the criminal legal
in trauma response. She has pursue a partnership with a First Step services are free, vol- great asset,” commented Mayor system including: Providing
worked with survivors of domes- trained and certified victims untary, and confidential. Victims William R. Wild. “It is also our information on the criminal legal
tic and sexual violence for three advocate.” can opt in and out of services at hope, through this formal collabo- process; Informing victims of
years. First Step is a non-profit any time and clients have com- ration, the Westland community their legal rights;
Domestic violence cases are agency that services individuals plete control about information will know that these crimes are Accompaniment to criminal
the most dangerous and difficult impacted by domestic and sexual shared outside the agency. being taken seriously and there is court hearings; Safety planning;
cases for officers to respond to violence in Wayne County. The Participating in prosecution is support for victims at every stage Assistance in completing peti-
and for victims to work through, mission of the non-profit facility not required to receive services, of the process at no cost.” tions for Personal Protection
according to national statistics. is to eliminate domestic and sex- First Step officials said. Reed, as community response Orders; Connection to other First
Like many cities, Westland has ual violence by providing com- “Unfortunately, we have seen survivor advocate, will provide Step services and community
seen a dramatic increase in prehensive support services to a spike in these types of cases support services for individuals resources.

Stations ‘Walk and Roll’ public meeting is planned in city

They are on a roll in Westland employment, and recreation and
FROM PAGE 1 as officials continue progress on ” entertainment facilities. Westland
the Wildwood Road Bikeway Plan We need as much public engagement has identified this corridor as an
erated from this program,” which includes the creation of and feedback as possible. ideal location to build awareness
commented Mayor William bicycle lanes on 3.5 miles of and capacity of bicycle friendly
R. Wild. Wildwood Road, avenues with an emphasis on
“This additional rev- In addition, officials are devel- gain insight from the public about During the meeting, the city safety mitigation and minimal
enue can be used to help oping a Bicycle and Pedestrian the future of walking and biking will present information on the interruption to current traffic pat-
offset other Citywide Action Plan called Walk and Roll within the community. The meet- Wildwood Road Bikeway Plan, terns, officials said.
Mission:Green initiatives.” Westland to help connect resi- ing can also be joined by comput- which includes the creation of “This plan will represent the
The City of Westland dents with areas of high demand. er: Join by Computer: bicycle lanes on Wildwood Road most detailed non-motorized plan-
will also look to adopt an A public meeting to share infor- Link to Join: https://ohm-advi- running north-south from Warren ning efforts yet by the city,” com-
electric vehicle ordinance mation about the plan is set for sors.zoom.us/j/94398276599?pwd= Road to Glenwood Road con- mented Mayor William R. Wild.
to encourage developers to 5.30 p.m. May 11 and those inter- VmZy tained entirely within Westland. “We need as much public engage-
include charging stations ested can join the virtual meeting Y1BzTmwvSDMwMjR0ZjFXd The lanes would connect northern ment and feedback as possible to
to further promote de-car- by phone at 1 (312)626-6799 meet- S9OZz09 Password: 228589 Visit and southern residential areas ensure the plan provides a com-
bonization, officials said. ing ID: 943 9827 6599; password: www.walkrollwestland.com for with main arteries of commercial prehensive outline of Westland's
228589. Officials are hoping to more information. business, areas of concentrated biking and walking priorities.”