BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – The City of Benton Harbor is receiving assistance from the Michigan State Police under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Secure Cities initiative.

Beginning Wednesday, August 5^th, the Michigan State Police will dedicate a squad of six troopers to work full time in the city.

 According to a press release Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety (BHDPS), reached out to the Michigan State Police and requested assistance to help with speeding vehicles and large gatherings.

BHDPS states that they have continued to receive complaints about speeding vehicles including mini bikes and 4-wheelers. They also receive complaints that large groups of young adults gather throughout the city playing loud music, shooting guns in the air, “twerk on top of cars” and are being a general menace to the “peace and tranquility of the residential neighborhoods.”

According to the press release, actions to be taken by law enforcement officials include:

Rental cars will be impounded if they are recklessly driven by anyone who is not contractual renter of the vehicle

Confiscate any illegal motor bike of 4-wheeler operating on the roadways

Large gatherings that may be cited as violation of the Governor Whitmer’s COVID-19 Executive Order for public gatherings and social distancing

Vehicles at large gatherings that congest the roadways and hinder passage may be towed at the owner’s expense

And enforcement of the city’s ordinance on loud music

BHDPS also encourages residents to go to their smart phone app store and download the BHDPS app for anonymous tips.