handcuffs

(MLive file photo)

FLINT, MI -- An online article is claiming police in Flint are using the water crisis an a guise to execute arrest warrants, but local law enforcement says those claims aren't true.

The article was posted on The Ring of Fire Network's website on Friday, Feb. 6 and has been shared around social media.

The article claims inmates at the Genesee County Jail are reporting that police going door-to-door to aid in the water crisis are actually executing arrest warrants.

Flint Police Capt. Leigh Golden said the department is not conducting warrant sweeps while distributing water or filters.

"The only door to door operations that the Flint Police have been involved with is an escort with DEQ personnel who are collecting water samples for testing," Golden said. "The escort is to ensure the safety of DEQ personnel and to ensure residents that the DEQ personnel are legitimate. There have been no arrests made during these escorts."

Michigan State Police Lt. David Kaiser said troopers would not execute arrest warrants under false pretenses.

"The State Police has not and would not execute arrest warrants under the guise of distributing safe drinking water to the residents of Flint."

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said it is not true that arrests have been made as part of door-to-door water and water filter deliveries.

"I am really sorry to hear that that's out there because that's not true and in fact one of the things we told people is when they're coming, they're not even supposed to ask for identification," Weaver said. "There's supposed to give the water and filter and keep going, because that's not what this is about, we're supposed to be getting people the resources that they need, so that is not true."

Door-to-door deliveries of water, water filters, and testing kits began in early January.