DETROIT – A change in public perception does not happen overnight, but the latest crime stats prove one thing: the Detroit Police Department and the city are solving and preventing crime at a rate not seen in decades.
Surprise raids have become a visible presence in Detroit neighborhoods. Residents have noticed quicker police response times. It's a new era for Detroit.
"Thirty 30 years ago I'd have never dreamed we'd be where we're at now, and I'm pleased. I think we're going in the right direction," said Steven Dolunt, assistant police chief.
Consider this: The number of murders in Detroit has not been this low since the 1967 summer riots when there were 281 criminal homicides. So far this year there have been 298.
Moreover, when population is factored in, murder rates have dropped for three consecutive years -- from 55 in 2012 to 43 this year.
"We have the same amount of area to cover as we did 30, 40, 50 years ago with half the officers. I think, maybe I'm bias, we've done a pretty good job, but we can't protect everybody. We have to have citizens step up," said Dolunt.
Retired Detroit police Lt. T. Berry said calculated strategies targeting emerging hot spots also have helped.
"They're more focused on crime. They go to hot areas, like New York does. If you get a patterned crime at a certain intersection, they send officers there to go and clean up that area so it's stops the crimes," said Berry.
There is no question the leadership of police Chief James Craig has boosted morale and built bridges.
"I think people believe in (Craig) and they see changes in the city with Rock Financial, GM, Blue Cross, DTE -- they see investments in the city. It's coming," said Dolunt.
There are also new resources post-bankruptcy. The one thing Chief Craig has talked about a lot are the street lights. It's an issue Mayor Mike Duggan is investing in, which is helping to deter crime.