A federal program dubbed Operation Overdrive, which combats drug-related violence and overdoses in Detroit is reportedly heading to Muskegon.

The Drug Enforcement Administration uses crime statistics and health data to identify hotspots of drug-related violence and overdose deaths so that law enforcement resources can be directed to places where criminal networks are causing the most harm.

“What the data did reveal is that Muskegon, where you have these overdose deaths and gun violence, is second to Detroit per capita,” said Officer Brian McNeal, public information officer for the DEA’s Detroit Field Division, which is bringing Operation Overdrive Phase III to Muskegon.

“The DEA’s primary mission when you boil it all down and remove all the fancy terminology is to keep people safe, and this is just another tool,” said the official.

The first Operation Overdrive, which began in 2022, involved Detroit and Flint, bringing together local police enforcement and federal resources.

“We work with them to identify who are the bad actors, what are the neighborhoods in your city or region,” McNeal pointed out. “You’re the boots on the ground so you’re seeing those things.”

According to McNeal, Operation Overdrive has assisted in the arrest of significant drug players in numerous states and the removal of illegal guns from the streets, which have been used in crimes ranging from robbery to murder.

The project also promotes community outreach and awareness programs aimed at combating drug overdoses and poisoning.

Reference: Detroit drug initiative to combat violence, overdoses coming to Muskegon