DETROIT – Authorities in Detroit say most crime is down across the city, but residents in downtown neighborhoods say they don’t agree. Instead, residents in the area insist that crime seems to be getting worse, and they’re fed up.
In the last few weeks, a judge was robbed, a jogger attacked on the Dequindre cut and Lions’ fans were beaten just hours after a game – all of these crimes occurred downtown.
“My neighbor had her car stolen and pushed into a high school and stripped. We've had a break-ins and vehicles in our complex stolen.” said Debra Wooten who lives downtown.
Alicia Dennis who also lives in a downtown neighborhood voiced her concerns after she said that even her gated community has been targeted by crooks.
“Unfortunately have had some folks come in and kick in our front doors. They take a knock, see if you're there, and if not they're kicking doors in,” said Dennis.
Detroit police said downtown is safer than it used to be adding that the city has seen a 37 percent drop in carjacking’s with reports of 278 occurrences this year compared to last year’s report of 446.
Residents said they’re willing to work with Detroit police on combating crime, and some have a message for those who think they’re an easy target.
“You better watch out,” said Dennis. “We're watching you, and we're watching each other.”