State Sen. Ananich Receives “Crime Fighter Award”

State Senator Jim Ananich (D-Flint) has been recognized for his efforts in fighting crime. Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan - a statewide crime prevention non-profit organization led by more than 500 of the state's best-know police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and crime survivors - honored Ananich with the "Crime Fighter Award" during a reception at the State Capitol.

Grand Ledge Police Chief Martin Underhill, current president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and a state executive committee member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan, presented Ananich with the award saying "preventing crime before it occurs with quality preschool programs is in each community's best interest and in the best interest of our children." Underhill said he was proud to present the award to Ananich for his efforts in early childhood programs including high-quality preschool, high-quality child day care, health care and higher learning standards to help ensure kids are ready for 21st Century opportunities."

Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth, also a state executive committee member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan; said Ananich's leadership on prevention included support for $130 million in increased funding to ensure that all Michigan kids have access to high quality preschool. "This is important as the research shows that at-risk kids who have high-quality preschool are more socially, emotionally and cognitively prepared when they enter kindergarten," said Wriggelsworth.