WJRT: Saginaw police to get federal funds for technology upgrades

SAGINAW, Mich. (WJRT) - The Saginaw Police Department will be getting $375,000 from the federal government, announced during National Police Week.

The funding, secured by Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet's office, will help replace outdated equipment, purchase new state-of-the-art technology and invest in more crime-stopping initiatives.

The additional money will help purchase more surveillance cameras for the city, a program that began in 2021 when the city obtained federal funding for the cameras.

Saginaw Police Chief Bob Ruth said the new cameras will help keep residents safe and support one of the city's biggest development projects in years.

"Some of the technology that we have put into the city of Saginaw is going to help our Medical Diamond grow in the future because of the safety aspects being put into this," he said.

Ruth believes the technology upgrades have helped reduce violent crime in Saginaw. He said the city's homicide rate was down last year compared to the year prior, and this year's homicide rate is down from last year.

"The more technology we put in place to fight crime, the better it's going to be for the city of Saginaw," Ruth said.

The chief also hinted that the police department could add new officers soon through other funding sources. Ruth said the department was down to 55 officers in 2013 and has built back up to 64 officers.

"I am hoping within the next few months, with some opportunities we have out there, we will be back up to 70," Ruth said.

McDonald Rivet said she would like to see more officers on the street as well.

"A big priority is more cops on the street," she said.