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Locals locked up to raise money

"Everybody was very generous," said Debbie Allen from Ann Arbor Cellular, who volunteered to raise $1,200 for her "bail."

Participants arrange to have their friends, family members or co-workers "arrested" by volunteer police officers.

The "accused" is approached at work, read their rights and then taken to the nearest jail site, where they go before a "judge." The "judge" determines how much they must earn in order to be released on "bail."

Volunteers outfit the "arrested" in jail stripes, take their mug shot and then lock them in a "cell" where they make phone calls until they have found enough pledges to meet their bail. This process lasts one or two hours for most people.

Department of Public Safety officer Matt Thompson was "charged" with not keeping his checkbook up-to-date and had to earn $500 in pledges in order to be released.

"It's a good cause and most people are willing to give," Thompson said.

Terry Burwell, a volunteer police officer from Ann Arbor, said the officers enjoy giving their time because it's a good cause and very few people resist "arrest."

The Great American Lock Up began in North Carolina in 1978 and has since become one of the American Cancer Society's largest fund-raisers. The Southeast region of Michigan hopes to earn $800,000 this year, said Karen Murphy, a spokesperson for the metro-Detroit area.

"This event continues to grow every year by leaps and bounds," Murphy said.

This year the two Washtenaw County jail sites are Busch's Valu Land stores in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. The "jail" is set up in the produce section, where curious shoppers listen to phone calls for pledges and occassionally volunteer their money or time.

In addition to those "arrested" this week, a number of people are part of the American Cancer Society's Most Wanted list. The Most Wanted people are asked to raise $2,500. Members of this list are Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon, Ann Arbor Police Chief Carl Ent and Washtenaw County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Mackie.

Whoever earns the most in pledges will receive a dinner with Tom Wilson, president and CEO of the Detroit Pistons. Wilson has been honorary chair of the event for the past seven years.

"It's a personal goal for him to help the American Cancer Society raise money," Murphy said.