DEARBORN — More than a dozen Wayne County Police agencies have collaborated on a joint sweep initiative which saw the arrests of hundreds of fugitives between Sept. 15 and Sept. 30. 

The police departments that participated in the “Operation Blue Light” initiative included Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, Livonia, Redford, Taylor, Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Inkster, Melvindale, Wayne State University and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. 

On Friday, October 3, all of the agencies held a press conference at the Dearborn Police Department to disclose information about the operation during the last half of September. 

The main focus of the initiative was to disrupt the criminal process; improve safety on the roads; address current crime trends and enhance the quality of life for residents through a combined regional response geared at targeting individuals who have outstanding fugitive warrant arrests from the various regional jurisdictions. 

Each agency deployed available resources within its own jurisdiction to provide highly visible traffic and investigatory stops of suspicious vehicles and pedestrian activity. 

Collectively, the operation stopped 9,961 vehicles during the 15 day window. Six hundred fifty seven of those vehicles were impounded and 973 people were arrested on misdemeanor charges. Another 207 people were booked on felony charges, while 349 were arrested on open warrants. Police recovered 25 weapons in those arrests. 

The Dearborn Police Department had made dozens of arrests for individuals who had outstanding warrants in other jurisdictions, including those wanted by U.S. customs; the U.S. Marshall Service; the Michigan Department of Corrections; Wayne County; Oakland County and Jackson county.