Criminal Justice Reform Bills Signed into Law

A package of criminal justice reform bills was signed into law this week as a result of the findings and recommendations of the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration. The task force conducted a year long study of the criminal justice system in Michigan.

The twenty-bill package was written by a bipartisan coalition and passed with a wide margin. The bills were based on the task force findings that showed that low-level infractions, like driving on a suspended license, violations of probation, and other misdemeanors, were taxing public safety resources and their prosecution did not result in safer communities.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack said, “Our courts and justice system belong to the people, and these reforms reflect a consensus-based process that brought together all who share our commitment to fairness, accountability, transparency, and efficiency. We have more work to do to continue making Michigan even safer, but we are now a national leader in implementing criminal justice reform that is data-driven, informed by research, responsive to community input, and committed to building public trust.”  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Police Looking for Suspect in Port Huron Home Invasion

On Tuesday, January 5, 2021 around 10:15 p.m. officers were called to the 1800 block of Water Street on a report of a Breaking and Entering into a home. The homeowner/victim, a 30 year old male, was alone inside the residence. The victim stated he did not know the suspect. 

The suspect broke into the home. He confronted the victim with a handgun and demanded money. The victim ran past the suspect and was struck in the head. The victim managed to get out the door and alerted neighbors to call the police. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and then fled the residence. The Major Crimes Unit as well as a PHPD K-9 responded to assist road patrol. Evidence was collected, but the suspect remains at large. 

Suspect: Black male, age range in the 20’s, approximately 6 feet tall with an athletic build wearing a ski mask and a sweatshirt. 

If you have any information on this home invasion or have video surveillance/Ring camera in this area call the Major Crimes Unit at (810) 984-5383 or CAPTURE at (810) 987-6688. 

Anonymous texts can also be received by texting the keyword CAPTURE and the message/tip to 847411 or by downloading the Port Huron PD app on an apple or android device. Tips can also be emailed by clicking on the CAPTURE link at www.porthuronpolice.org.

Submitted by the Port Huron Police Department

St. Clair County Library Switches to New and Improved Website

The St. Clair County Library System has a brand-new website and is phasing out the old one. Patrons are asked to make sure to get into the habit of using the updated website, stclaircountylibrary.org.

The new website is the workhorse of the library system, as much business is now done online as in-person services are significantly restricted by COVID-19 precautions. The new site is optimized for mobile devices and has been reorganized to meet the needs of patrons as they navigate the current reality.

Users can directly access the library catalog, the Michigan eLibrary, and other online resources in one spot. The library catalog now includes cover images and format icons to reduce clicks and increase efficiency. The new website also prominently features upcoming events and links to information about each branch.

According to the Library, “Online engagement has never been more important, and the new SCCLS website is just one more way to stay connected.”

A link to the new website:

https://stclaircountylibrary.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

This Year’s “One in Christ” MLK Day Event Goes Virtual

Port Huron, MI — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is approaching on the third Monday of January and plans are in the works to continue with the annual community event despite the inability to have an actual gathering.

This year’s “One in Christ” Community Service will be held via Facebook Live, following the lead of many other community traditions. The service will be livestreamed at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 17th from the Operation Transformation Facebook page.

The presentation is planned to feature music, scripture, and dance. There will also be a dramatic portion that features important figures in the civil rights struggle. The dramatization will highlight the “Mantle of Love, Freedom, Equity, and Justice”.

This is the fifteenth year that the community service has been held. It is traditionally a cooperative event led by Operation Transformation and Blue Water Area Churches. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has been a national holiday since 1983.

A link to the Facebook Live event page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/432827714536937/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Winter Wonderland Coming to Downtown Port Huron January 23rd

On January 23rd, Downtown Port Huron will be transformed into this year’s version of ChillyFest: Winter Wonderland. This one-day, family-friendly event will feature some elements of previous ChillyFests along with some brand new ways to enjoy a winter day downtown.

Those who loved searching downtown shops for penguins will still have the opportunity to participate in the Penguin Hunt, and a scavenger hunt will lead to small treasures scattered throughout downtown. Individual businesses will be celebrating in their own ways, making for a fun shopping day as well.

The ice sculptures won’t be present this year, but 5-foot tall foam snowmen will be in front of the businesses on Main Street, and each one will be dressed uniquely. Snowmen in the City will be created by the Foam All company and sponsored by local businesses. Visitors may miss the ice-sculptures, but business owners are excited about this new, non-melting way to create a Winter Wonderland downtown.

Visit the ChillyFest Facebook page for updates and more details: https://www.facebook.com/chillyfestporthuron/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

January Human Trafficking Awareness Month

In 2019 alone, the state of Michigan reported 22,326 victims and survivors of human trafficking. This includes sex trafficking, forced labor, and other forms of modern-day slavery. The human trafficking industry is a worldwide criminal enterprise that victimizes men, women, and children.

Governor Whitmer proclaimed January 2021 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Michigan and urges people to educate themselves on how they can identify and report this crime. There are several red flags or warning signs of human trafficking that may be revealed to the general public, first responders, health care professionals, and workers in the hospitality industry.  Knowing these signs can help people report the abuse.

Victims may show signs of physical or psychological abuse, be deprived of basic life necessities, be in a constant state of fear, or not have simple forms of personal identification like a driver’s license, passport, or photo I.D. They may not admit that they are victims or ask for help.

Reports of suspected human trafficking can be made to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center on their toll-free hotline  which is available 24-7, every day of the year. All calls to the hotline are confidential. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center can be reached at 888-3737-888.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand