To: Dale K. Weighill, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson
title
RE: Approval of a grant award from the Office of Victims of Crime Byrne Discretionary Community Project, in the amount of $963,000.00, to continue GHOST operations which combats drug and human trafficking; the term of this grant is until September 2027
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
The Office of Genesee County Sheriff is requesting the acceptance of the FY 2024 Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grant: Combatting Drug and Human Trafficking in Genesee County, MI. This Grant provides $963,000.000 in funding to continue GHOST operations through September 2027.
BACKGROUND:
GHOST stands for Global Human Oppression Strike Team, is an initiative that plays a crucial role in combating human trafficking and the opioid epidemic. This multifaceted strategy combines intelligence-driven operations, cross-border collaboration, victim support, and comprehensive public health initiatives to address these intertwined crises. Here’s a detailed look at the various aspects of GHOST Interdiction: Combating Human Trafficking: GHOST conducts targeted operations using intelligence-driven operations. Through advanced surveillance and intelligence gathering, GHOST Interdiction can effectively dismantle human trafficking rings by identifying and apprehending traffickers, rescuing victims, and breaking the infrastructure that supports these illegal activities. Cross-Border Collaboration: Human trafficking is a transnational issue. GHOST Interdiction facilitates cooperation between international, Federal, State, County, and local law enforcement agencies, enabling coordinated efforts to track and dismantle trafficking networks across borders. Victim Support and Rehabilitation: Comprehensive Care: GHOST Interdiction emphasizes providing immediate and long-term support to trafficking survivors, including medical care, psychological support, legal assistance, and vocational training. Awareness and Prevention: GHOST also focuses on increasing public awareness about the signs of human trafficking and ways to report suspicious activities. This education can help prevent future trafficking victims. Community education programs are crucial in building a proactive defense against trafficking. Addressing the Opioid Epidemic: GHOST Interdiction focuses on cutting off the supply of opioids by targeting production facilities, distribution networks, and street-level dealers. This reduces the availability of illicit opioids. GHOST uses technology such as data analytics, surveillance, and intelligence sharing; GHOST can more effectively track and disrupt opioid trafficking operations. GHOST Interdiction is a vital strategy in the fight against human trafficking and the opioid epidemic. Combining law enforcement with public health initiatives and engaging communities addresses the immediate and underlying factors contributing to these crises. The holistic and integrated approach of GHOST Interdiction disrupts criminal networks and provides essential support to victims, helping to create safer and healthier communities.
DISCUSSION:
This grant award would create two additional police deputy positions assigned to GHOST. This allows for a sub-recipient partnership with Voices for Children to expand our victim services to victims of human trafficking.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The grant covers all costs. A budget amendment is attached.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This request conforms to the County Priorities by promoting public health to create safer and healthier residents and promote safer communities. This also expands the role of the county as a convenor to enhance relationships that contribute to the growth of our community.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Office of Genesee County Sheriff to authorize accepting a grant from, and entering into a grant agreement with, the Office of Victims of Crime Byrne Discretionary Community Project to Combat Drug and Human Trafficking in Genesee County for a three-year period through September 30, 2027, said three-year grant being in the amount of $963,000.00, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the December 3, 2025 meeting of the Governmental Operations Committee of this Board), the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the grant agreement on behalf of Genesee County, and the Chief Financial Officer is directed to record the attached budget amendment.