Police chief: Detroit sees increase in homicides, shootings in 2020
DETROIT – The year 2020 has been a year unlike any other with an increase in some crimes committed. “We ended the year with the following increases: Homicide, 327 (in 2020), compared to 274 in 2019, aggravated assaults, 12,003 compared to 9,920,” said Detroit Police Chief Craig during a press conference. READ: DPD Chief: Overall Detroit crime fell in 2020, but homicides up“It’s clear that the pandemic was the single most factor in driving violence in our cities, including here in Detroit,” he said. Boston saw a 52% increase,” Craig said. Craig said the stats for 2020 are far worse compared to the late 1980s and 1990s.
Detroit Police Department makes pitch to continue ShotSpotter program
DETROIT – When crime statistics for 2019 were released earlier this year, Detroit found itself leading the country in violent crime. In 2014, it was used in a 2.18 square mile area of the ninth precinct. In the two-year period of the pilot program, ShotSpotter produced 18 search warrants, 30 weapons recovered, 571 rounds of ammunition collected and nine felony arrests, according to Detroit police. “Those are not eye-popping statistics, but we got some dangerous criminals off the streets,” says Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson. That works out to about $371,000 per year, or $62,500 per square mile, according to Benson.
Elected officials call for independent investigation into Detroit polices use of force against protestors
DETROIT Elected officials from the federal, state and local level sent a letter Wednesday to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Police Chief James Craig and the Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) calling for an independent investigation into use of force by Detroit police against protesters. The letter was signed by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Michigan Sen. Stephanie Chang, Detroit City Council President Pro Temp Mary Sheffield (District 5) and City Councilor Raquel Castaeda-Lpez (District 6). In addition to a duty to intervene when other officers are using excessive force, officers cannot use chokeholds or fire a weapon from moving vehicles. A lawsuit was filed by Detroit Will Breathe and 14 individuals, seeking a temporary restraining order enjoining the city of Detroit and the Detroit Police Department from using certain tactics. They alleged that police responded to protests with excessive force and violated their first and fourth amendment rights.