Flashpoint: Mayor Duggan's plan for Detroit neighborhoods

DETROIT – Three members of Mayor Mike Duggan's cabinet joined Flashpoint Sunday to talk about what's happening in the city of Detroit. Police Chief James Craig, Group Executive for jobs and growth Tom Lewand Sr. and Group Executive for operations Charlie Beckham sat down with Devin Scillian.

The panel first discussed Duggan's choice to focus on neighborhoods in Detroit. The mayor also decided to move out of downtown for his speech.

Craig said he's not excited about setting the lowest number of homicides in Detroit in 47 years because the number is still too high. He said that historically, Detroit is considered one of the most violent cities, so there is still work to do.

Each expert agreed that a cultural change is needed in their field. Craig said there is a correlation between high morale and low crime.

You can watch the first conversation in the video posted above.

The conversation turned to the team effort it takes to improve neighborhoods in Detroit. Beckham said all the departments have to work together in order to see significant change.

Lewand talked about the importance of giving people jobs and cutting down on unrest in the neighborhoods. Craig added that decreased crime and the development of businesses often work hand in hand.

Click on the video below to watch the second segment.

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After the break, Bankole Thompson, Sr. Editor of the Michigan Chronicle, Daniel Howes, business columnist for The Detroit News and Kim Trent of the Wayne State Board of Governors joined Devin in a roundtable discussion.

The panel talked about Duggan's speech and his decision to focus on neighborhoods. Trent thought Duggan's speech was just what Detroit needed, while Thompson thought his strategy to include people in the comeback was important. Howes commented on the end of Duggan's speech, when he told the people of Detroit that they would have to work for whatever they want in the city.

You can watch the whole roundtable discussion in the video below.

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The panel returned for a web-only segment to talk about some of Detroit's biggest issues: water prices and road funding.

Howes thinks that backlash from the suggested price raises will result in the road plan being voted down.

The panel thinks people are feeling some tax fatigue and question the decision to put the plan to a vote instead of putting a plan into action.

Click on the video below to watch the web-only segment.

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