Macomb County Sheriff Talks Crime, Technology, Jail

With a growing population in Macomb County, the Sheriff’s Office is working to deter crime, cut costs associated with the county jail and use more technology, Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said Thursday in New Baltimore.

Population and business growth in the past decade have also brought more crime to the county, Wickersham said during Anchor Bay Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon in

“We do still see an increase in larcenies; it’s still plaguing us,” he said. “Don’t in your car. If you have to leave your car outside, leave those items in your house.”

He added that the Sheriff’s Office continues to see a rise in drug use, especially in teenagers and young adults. Wickersham noted the prevalence of prescription pills and the increase in teenagers obtaining them from home medicine cabinets, selling them and getting addicted.

Curbing costs at jail

The Sheriff’s Office is hoping to cut medical costs at the 65-year-old jail, in addition to finding new ways to raise money to keep pace with costs.

It costs $6 million each year to provide medical care for inmates, Wickersham said. He added that he hopes to contract with a company in the future that will provide savings for taxpayers.

“We’re doing the best we can to keep it open,” he said. “We’re going to come up with some kind of creative funding and have places for judges to put the inmates.”

Using efficient technology

“There’s no more paper for the most part,” Wickersham said while explaining how the use of technology is more effective and saves time.

Computers are being used to write citations and in dealing with traffic crashes, which Wickersham said can be an effective 15-minute process for minor incidents.

The Sheriff's Office is working with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office to get electronic reports and the Macomb County Clerk’s Office to get electronic dispositions in an effort to save time and allow officials to work more efficiently, he said.