Should Ann Arbor cut $30M police budget to fund mental health crisis responders?
Updated Mar 02, 2021;
Posted Mar 02, 2021
Elisandra Rosario holds a sign in the air as she marches down Washtenaw Avenue as part of a police brutality protest in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. The protest, organized by Survivors Speak, marched from the Washtenaw County Sheriff s Office to Arborland Center.
(Jenna Kieser | The Ann Arbor News)Jenna Kieser | The Ann Arbor News
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ANN ARBOR, MI One Ann Arbor council member said last June city officials had received, by his count, over 2,000 emails from citizens calling for defunding police.
New Michigan prosecutor has lenient policies on everything from drugs to prostitution. But is it allowed?
Updated Feb 05, 2021;
Posted Feb 05, 2021
(File photo) Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Burton-Harris were ceremonially sworn into office by Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack at the University of Michigan Law Quad courtyard in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News
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WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI – Eli Savit promised voters he’d make progressive changes in the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office before ultimately being elected to the office.
With more than 30 days under his belt as the county’s newly elected prosecutor, it would be hard to deny he isn’t living up to his campaign promises.
Savit sworn in as Washtenaw County prosecutor, begins work to reshape justice system
Updated Jan 05, 2021;
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ANN ARBOR, MI Eli Savit is now officially Washtenaw County’s chief prosecutor.
The 37-year-old attorney and Ann Arbor native was ceremonially sworn into office by Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack in the University of Michigan Law Quad courtyard Saturday, Jan. 2.
Also sworn in was Victoria Burton-Harris, Savit’s chief assistant prosecuting attorney.
Joined by friends, family and activists, they reiterated their pledge to reform criminal justice in Washtenaw County with racial equity in mind.
“We know simply by setting foot in a courtroom or doing even a surface-level analysis of the numbers that we have tremendous racial inequity in our justice system here in Washtenaw County,” said Savit, who points to a report by Citizens for Racial Equity in Washtenaw showing disparities.
Credit Savit campaign website
Washtenaw County’s prosecutor’s office is about to undergo a major shakeup. Friday is the first day on the job for new county prosecutor Eli Savit.
Savit won a three-way primary in August, before running unopposed in November’s general election.
During his campaign, Savit promised to end cash bail, eliminate zero-tolerance policies and put rehabilitation ahead of incarceration.
Savit wants Washtenaw County to serve as an example to the rest of Michigan.
“We’re looking to borrow ideas that have been proven to work elsewhere. And we’re looking to implement them right here in Washtenaw County,” Savit said. “The data is there and we need to focus on what works, not just on what’s been done for a very long time, he added.
Q&A: How Eli Savit plans to reform criminal justice in Washtenaw County
Updated Dec 27, 2020;
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ANN ARBOR, MI In five days, Eli Savit will be Washtenaw County’s chief prosecutor and he has big plans to reform the county’s approach to criminal justice with racial equity in mind.
This marks the first time in nearly three decades there’s been turnover in the position. Outgoing Prosecutor Brian Mackie is stepping down after 28 years.
Savit, a 37-year-old attorney and Ann Arbor native elected last month, spoke with The Ann Arbor News/MLive about what people can expect from him and his team.