Law enforcement officials in Michigan announced the creation of a new task force to combat the recent surge of burglaries in upscale neighborhoods by foreign gangs. The announcement was made by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard at a press conference on Tuesday.
The task force, named Southeast Michigan Collaborate Arrest Prosecute (SEM CAB), is a joint effort between multiple state and federal law enforcement agencies. Bouchard stressed the seriousness of the situation, stating that the gangs are targeting “high-end homes, jewelry stores, and cars” and are using sophisticated methods to carry out their crimes.
According to a report by WXYZ, the gangs are “mostly from Latin America” and have targeted approximately 40 homes in the area over the last couple of months. The report also revealed that the gangs are well-organized and operate in crews of four to six members. They are highly functional and well-trained, using techniques such as jammers to overcome wireless security systems that rely on WiFi to operate.
Bouchard warned residents to be cautious and not to rely solely on WiFi-based security systems. “These crews are dressed in all black with backpacks and gloves, and they are non-confrontational,” he said. “Their goal is to get in and out of the homes quickly.”
The SEM CAB task force will work collaboratively to put an end to the burglaries, which have caused concern and fear among residents in the affected areas. Bouchard also emphasized the importance of communities working together and reporting suspicious behavior to authorities.
The agencies involved in the task force include the Auburn Hills Police Department, the Berkley Police Department, the Birmingham Police Department, the Bloomfield Hills Police Department, the Bloomfield Township Police Department, the Canton Police Department, the Chesterfield Township Police Department, the Farmington Hills Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Franklin Police Department, the Grosse Pointe Farms Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Keego Harbor Police Department, and the Lake Angelus Police Department, among others.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Bouchard expressed his confidence in the combined efforts of the task force and the ability to put an end to these burglaries. “We are committed to stopping these criminal activities and bringing these perpetrators to justice,” he said.
The new task force is a proactive approach to addressing the burglaries, and it is expected to have a significant impact on reducing their occurrence in the future. With the collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies and the support of local communities, the SEM CAB task force aims to make the affected neighborhoods safe once again.
