Law Enforcement Seeks To Curb Gang Violence In Ypsilanti

YPSILANTI (AP) — Law enforcement officials in and around Ypsilanti are stepping up efforts to deal with gangs following a recent increase in violence in the area.

Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton says efforts involving the Eastern Washtenaw Safety Alliance started this week and will continue for several weeks. The sheriff's department, the Ypsilanti police and Eastern Michigan University police are among those involved.

Officials say they're targeting gangs that The Ann Arbor News reports have been linked to the killing of 17-year-old Keon Washington in 2014 and this month's shooting death of 20-year-old Keandre Duff. The Detroit Free Press reports police believe Duff was killed in retaliation for Washington's death.

Meanwhile, Jeannette Hadden and her 26-year-old daughter have launched an organization, Stop the Violence, to help combat crime.