Police chief: Detroit sees increase in homicides, shootings in 2020
DETROIT โ The year 2020 has been a year unlike any other with an increase in some crimes committed. โWe ended the year with the following increases: Homicide, 327 (in 2020), compared to 274 in 2019, aggravated assaults, 12,003 compared to 9,920,โ said Detroit Police Chief Craig during a press conference. READ: DPD Chief: Overall Detroit crime fell in 2020, but homicides upโItโs clear that the pandemic was the single most factor in driving violence in our cities, including here in Detroit,โ he said. Boston saw a 52% increase,โ Craig said. Craig said the stats for 2020 are far worse compared to the late 1980s and 1990s.
Longtime Ann Arbor firefighter passes away after battling cancer
ANN ARBOR โ Retired training officer with the Ann Arbor Fire Department, Craig Sidelinger, passed away on Monday morning after a nearly two-year battle with colon cancer. Sidelinger joined AAFD as a firefighter in 2000. He held the position for 10 years before advancing to training officer -- a role he also held for 10 years. According to AAFD, Sidelinger was the longest-serving training officer in the department. โHe also helped teach public outreach such as Safety Town, Ann Arbor Ready, and the City Citizenโs Academy.
Warren neighbors win fight to keep traffic light in massive Mound Road rebuild project
WARREN, Mich. โ The St. Anneโs subdivision in Warren was ready to fight against traffic light removal in a massive Mound Road rebuild project. The plan was to eliminate the cut-through and light at Arden Avenue -- the only way in and out for people in that subdivision. However, the intersection of Mound Road and Arden will see a major change. The ability to cross Mound Road from east and west will end. This means all traffic would flow onto Mound, which many neighbors did not like.
US Rep. Craig asks supporters to vote despite snag in race
In a statement, Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig urged voters to mark their ballots in her race anyway. "You should continue to vote for the entire ballot, including for this congressional race. Simon said the special election would be Feb. 9. Craig hinted that a legal challenge to the special election may be getting planned. Someone could argue that the state law violates that federal law, he said.
Graphic video of fatal shooting released by DPD to combat rumors on social media
Graphic video of fatal shooting released by DPD to combat rumors on social mediaPublished: July 10, 2020, 11:16 pmBody camera footage shows Littleton firing twice at the advancing officer, missing both times. The officer didnโt flinch and attempted to tackle Littleton before he was fired upon by other officers. Craig described the officer as an American hero.
Watch Local 4 News at 5 -- June 29, 2020
Heres whats coming up on Local 4 News at 5:Dashcam video released of officer driving through crowd of protestersChief Craig launched an investigation into the incident. Video shows a Detroit police scout car pushing through a ground of protesters as the rear window was busted out.
Elected officials meet with Detroit police chief, discuss concerns about facial recognition software
DETROIT - Rep. Brenda Lawrence and Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones recently spoke candidly with Detroit Police Chief Craig about the use of facial recognition technology. My job in Congress is to see we have accurate data, said Lawrence. After talking to the analysts who comb through potential matches, elected officials say software improvements are needed. However, they say the tour helped clear up misinformation. On Monday, Lawrence announced she plans on introducing legislation that would help prevent bias in facial recognition software.
Released 911 calls reveal chaos, confusion at scene of fatal Detroit motorcycle crash
DETROIT - Calls to 911 after a deadly crash went unanswered in August around the time of a fatal motorcycle crash and now, some of the at least 50 calls that were made have been released. Callers from the crash scene where Michael Blackwell died Aug. 24 said they were getting a recording when they dialed 911, so they would hang up and call again. "A bike went down, it's a good friend of mine, somebody needs to get here, he's losing way too much blood," a man told dispatch. "Our friend who fell on the motorcycle, and he's not breathing," a woman told dispatch. "I just pulled up to the scene, they say they couldn't get a hold of police, they're all freaking out," a man told dispatch.
Thief slices open mail, reseals envelopes in California
Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesSAN DIEGO, California (KGTV) - A rash of mail tampering incidents has led to missing money and an unusual M.O. "Around 10:30 a.m., the mail carrier dropped off the mail in front of me," said Craig. A few minutes later, Craig got her mail and noticed something. One of her envelopes was sliced open on the side. Postal supervisors told Craig her card went through multiple locations, before ending up at the Clairemont post office for delivery.
Residents line up for free filters after discovery of lead in Highland Park tap water
HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. - After discovering high lead levels in tap water, Highland Park officials are mobilizing to help residents and head off potential problems. Highland Park residents braved a blazing summer sun Thursday to pick up water filters at the fire station. Here's how to find outOther residents wanted to make sure their home tap water was safe and didn't wait for the city's free, state-provided water filters. City officials want everyone to have water filters because they're more environmentally sustainable than bottled water, but many people want to have bottled water, as well. If you live in Highland Park and want your tap water tested, call 313-865-1876.