LANSING, MI – – Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan – a statewide crime prevention nonprofit organization led by more than 400 of Michigan’s best-known police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and crime survivors – honored two of its members with Fight Crime’s prestigious “Crime Fighter Award” during the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police winter training conference.
Southfield Police Chief Joseph E. Thomas, Jr., the statewide co-chairman of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan, presented the awards to Chief Milton L. Scales, Jr., Director, Office of Criminal Investigation, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and to Chief Martin J. Underhill, Chief of Police, City of Grand Ledge.
Chief Thomas said of the two Lansing-area leaders, “Preventing crime at the front end is in each communities’ best interest and in the best interest of our children. I am honored to convey Fight Crime’s 2010 ‘Crime Fighter Award’ to Chiefs Scales and Underhill for their outstanding support and leadership on behalf of children. Since joining the organization and its board in 2001, both men have volunteered countless hours to educate state and federal decision-makers and the public on the benefits of investing in proven programs that provide children ages zero to five with access to high-quality early childhood care and education to ensure that those children get the right start in life.”
Thomas added, “Chief Scales and Chief Underhill have been tireless leaders throughout their careers in law enforcement and especially as members of the statewide board of directors for Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan. They have held steadfast to an agenda that is not only tough on crime, but one that is smart on crime. By getting at the front-end through prevention programs, we can nip crime in the bud and reduce its negative consequences that are costly to everyone.”
