News (Media Awareness Project) - US MI: Busch Promises Drug Court In Campaign Re-Election Speech |
| Title: | US MI: Busch Promises Drug Court In Campaign Re-Election Speech |
| Published On: | 2000-10-19 |
| Source: | Flint Journal (MI) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 05:02:53 |
BUSCH PROMISES DRUG COURT IN CAMPAIGN RE-ELECTION SPEECH
Genesee County Prosecutor Arthur A. Busch predicted Wednesday the county will have a specialized court for drug offenders if he is re-elected in November.
In a campaign speech to a business group, Busch said he's committed to the drug court project now being studied under a planning grant. Chief Genesee County Circuit Judge Robert M. Ransom is leading the effort.
The drug court would be his largest contribution as prosecutor, said Busch, who again called for revamping the county's approach to drug enforcement. Busch said investigators need to focus more on interdiction and high-level dealers, and less on street-level drug sales.
"FANG (Flint Area Narcotics Group) needs to be reviewed," said Busch, referring to a state-run drug enforcement team. "We need to take a whole different tack,"
Busch, 45, is running for his third four-year term as prosecutor. He faces Republican F. Jack Belzer in the Nov. 7 general election. Belzer, a Flint Township attorney, did not attend the forum by the West Flint Business Association because of a scheduling conflict, the group said.
Busch said he's successfully prosecuted violent street gangs and staged the largest child support prosecution program in Michigan. He also defended his record on gun enforcement, saying his office prosecutes more felony firearm possession cases than any other county.
Some police officials have complained that Busch's office dismisses too many felony firearm charges in plea bargains.
A Flint Journal analysis in June showed 172 of 196 felony firearm charges filed in Genesee County last year were either dismissed or not prosecuted. The numbers were a marked contrast to Oakland County where 73 of the 86 felony firearm cases in 1999 ended with a conviction.
Busch said he's used the law against having a firearm while committing a felony as leverage to get more guilty pleas and prison terms.
As for drug enforcement, Busch has previously suggested that FANG, a state-run consortium of local governments that contribute funding and investigators, needs to be retooled or refocused.
In hindsight, Busch said, he should have pushed harder for new drug enforcement strategies.
And if he could do it all again, Busch said, he would be nicer to Flint Mayor Woodrow Stanley, a longtime political enemy, even though he said he would criticize Stanley just as strongly.
Genesee County Prosecutor Arthur A. Busch predicted Wednesday the county will have a specialized court for drug offenders if he is re-elected in November.
In a campaign speech to a business group, Busch said he's committed to the drug court project now being studied under a planning grant. Chief Genesee County Circuit Judge Robert M. Ransom is leading the effort.
The drug court would be his largest contribution as prosecutor, said Busch, who again called for revamping the county's approach to drug enforcement. Busch said investigators need to focus more on interdiction and high-level dealers, and less on street-level drug sales.
"FANG (Flint Area Narcotics Group) needs to be reviewed," said Busch, referring to a state-run drug enforcement team. "We need to take a whole different tack,"
Busch, 45, is running for his third four-year term as prosecutor. He faces Republican F. Jack Belzer in the Nov. 7 general election. Belzer, a Flint Township attorney, did not attend the forum by the West Flint Business Association because of a scheduling conflict, the group said.
Busch said he's successfully prosecuted violent street gangs and staged the largest child support prosecution program in Michigan. He also defended his record on gun enforcement, saying his office prosecutes more felony firearm possession cases than any other county.
Some police officials have complained that Busch's office dismisses too many felony firearm charges in plea bargains.
A Flint Journal analysis in June showed 172 of 196 felony firearm charges filed in Genesee County last year were either dismissed or not prosecuted. The numbers were a marked contrast to Oakland County where 73 of the 86 felony firearm cases in 1999 ended with a conviction.
Busch said he's used the law against having a firearm while committing a felony as leverage to get more guilty pleas and prison terms.
As for drug enforcement, Busch has previously suggested that FANG, a state-run consortium of local governments that contribute funding and investigators, needs to be retooled or refocused.
In hindsight, Busch said, he should have pushed harder for new drug enforcement strategies.
And if he could do it all again, Busch said, he would be nicer to Flint Mayor Woodrow Stanley, a longtime political enemy, even though he said he would criticize Stanley just as strongly.
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