What You Need To Know About the Detroit Police Department
The Detroit Police Department is under going some changes in service delivery. If you need to make a police report or report crime on your block you need to know who to call.
In Loving Memory of
Susie M. Bennett
July 12, 1928 - February 19, 2012
DetroitUncovered
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This page was last updated: May 17, 2012
City short of gas, parked the city vehicles
Most people in Detroit were unaware that a mini-crisis developed but was quickly distinguished this past week when the city had no gas. All across the Detroit workers, especially police officers went searching for gas to fill up scout cars but alas all the city gas depots were fresh out.The city of Detroit uses about 11,000 gallons of gas daily and with the lack of funds paying suppliers is a problem. Fortunately for citizens and first responders, police, fire and EMS this crisis was averted but with the city in the middle of a financial crisis there is not a better time to have some serious discussion and not just lip service on the usage or non usage of city vehicles. Its time for all non essential personnel to park the vehicles. That includes City Council, all city department heads and staffs. Why wait until police and fire can't respond to emergencies before the cars are parked. They should be parked and stay parked until the city has a budget surplus and according to Mayor Bing's budget proposal that won't happen until 2015.
Godbee: I'm staying
Several times this week Chief Godbee made it clear to all listening that he's not going anywhere. He stated, he would reach his 25th year anniversary on May 18th and then he would enter the DROP ( Deferred Retirement Program) but he wasn't leaving.
Perhaps Chief Godbee's comments are in response to the many media reports taking a look at the murder rate in the city and the apparent unhappiness being expressed by citizens about lack of police response and the virtual precinct concept. There is outrage from citizens over the closure of what was for a long time the only sanctuary from immediate danger, police precincts.
Chief Godbee hired in on May 18, 1987. He was laid off under Mayor Coleman Young in 1990. At the time of his retirement in September 2008 he was an Assistant Chief. He returned in that same capacity in July 2009 under former Chief Warren Evans. May 18, 2012 will technically be his 25th year.
Budget cuts to first responders
The recently announced budget cuts to fire and police may not affect the actual number of bodies currently in place but it will have as much of an affect due to the loss of millions cut from the budgets that will affect first responders ability to do the job. The police department will see a reported loss of 353 positions that will come through attrition, already unfilled positions will be lost. The department is already dangerously low in manpower with no plans insight to began the hiring process again. However with the enormous exodus that can't last forever. The Detroit Free Press Editorial from 4/13/12 said it best, Detroit already has too few officers, and they work with inadequate equipment and support. Lack of safety is likely the No. 1 reason for the continued population exodus, so cutting the Police Department might save money only to cost the city far more in the long run.
Advisory Bean Counters
So far the appointments to the 9 member advisory board that will oversee the city of Detroit finances is dominated by bean counters; CPA's , accountants and bankers. Where are the appointments with some municipal backgrounds or a resume in city government. This board is in need of representatives who know their way around City Hall. City Council has not made its appointment yet, it would be wise if they chose, not a pastor, but a person steep in governmental affairs who knows his/her way around City Hall.
Detroit's rebound coming
There definite sign all around downtown of a Detroit rebound on the way. Recent announcements of the re-developing of Capitol Park and areas of the east riverfront in addition to the $20 million purchase of a stretch of land on the west riverfront by an unknown investor, things are taking shape. But a real rebound can't be felt until it reaches the neighborhoods of Detroit. There has to be more than just a Meijer store at 8 mile and Woodward or on Grand River and 6 mile. Tangible signs like public safety and job opportunities for citizens who don't live or don't travel downtown have to be seen and felt. There exist a large board in a downtown office building and it looks like a map of downtown with all of the major properties that have been purchased and those that are to be purchased, such as the Penobscott building; the plan to remake downtown is in full gear. This map does not include the neighborhoods. Downtown Detroit will soon turn the corner and move positively toward prosperity with new housing and retail but not without the neighborhoods. Public safety is job one, right behind that is jobs and education. But don't be lead astray, this rebirth downtown won't be the result of good government / management , its more the example of simple economics- supply and demand.
Detroit Firefighters respond to proposal to let Detroit burn
Detroit’s Fire Commissioner Donald Austin has, again, been in the media discussing his proposal of burning vacant structures, one without any plan behind it. This is very distressing to Detroit’s Fire Fighters as follows:
1. Communicating a blanket advocacy of allowing vacant structures to burn will destabilize the decades long attempts by Detroit to stop arson. There is a long history of arson and Detroit, its employees and citizens have worked exhaustively to create programs and this new advocacy concerns us as to whether or not it will destroy these efforts.
2. The Detroit Fire Department already, at each and every fire, through its Incident Command and seniority promotional systems make critical decisions on these structures and how to address them either offensively or defensively. To advocate all vacants, at a percentage that no one has been told how to calculate, should burn is a destructive concept that puts Detroit and its residents at great risk. Further, without any standardized operating orders or training, a freely burning program will undo the professional work done by DFD Fire Marshal Inspectors, Fire Arson Investigators, Community Relations Officers and other sections of the DFD that are on Detroit’s streets every day to protect and stabilize our great city. Think about the Robinwood Street fires that burned so rapidly and out of control with resultant loss of homes and residents last year.
3. Our mission is to protect property and save lives. To accomplish this, anything short of doing exactly that denies Detroit and its residents their right to safety. We fight each and every fire with the same passion and vigor equally. Detroit needs an aggressive fire suppression done as quickly as possible.
4. It is insulting to characterize each and every vacant structure with such a broad brush. These structures may be undergoing rehabilitation and/or repairs to make them habitable. It is demoralizing to neighborhood groups in Detroit today that are attempting such efforts and may chill any additional attempts at restoring viable homes and their neighborhoods.
5. Contrary to a recent article, the Detroit Fire Fighters Association has approached the Administration to negotiate a program that allows Fire Fighters to identify structures that are vacant or abandoned for the safety of our members and citizens alike but have been rebuffed. We have also attempted to discuss and negotiate a heavy demolition team that the Commissioner speaks about but have been told that there is no interest at this time.
6. This new paradigm presented to us of one room fires becoming one floor fire becoming “protect the exposures” and the possible threats to lives is dangerous, professionally embarrassing and against the very core of our professional Fire Fighting that has long protected Detroit.
The Detroit Fire Fighters Association hopes that this concept be rescinded and a more fact based program emerges. A program that has respect for home ownership, community and a greater Detroit. We have sworn an oath to duty and we will not abandon our solemn promise.
Dan McNamara, President
Detroit Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 344
A Season for dealing
This is the season for making deals. The feds have been busy trying to get some people to talk and get others to realize a deal now or a literal death sentence later. According to some reports former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick turned down a 15 year sentence as part of a plea deal. Another news report had Rayford Jackson in County lock up because he was having a conversation with the feds, some believe related to coming pension indictments. Former City Council woman Monica Conyers also spent some time in County lock up in the DC area, in her case it may have been disciplinary. Others who should be making a deal but from what we hear has nothing the feds want to trade is Mike Grundy, former Assistant Wayne County Executive under Robert Ficano. Grundy has been spotted hanging out at McDonald's restaurants in Detroit. He wasn't manning the fry grill just in case you're wondering. His father in-law owns several McDonald restaurants. Grundy maybe a little light in the pockets these days since the feds seized an account he administered with what was reported to be $350,000. Grundy has been indicted on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion and obstruction of justice. Ficano has been quoted as saying Grundy was acting on his own.
Bella a classy lady
Class is the one word that could best be used to describe Bella Marshall. She was always professional, well spoken and she represented whomever she worked for with class. Now gone at age 62 just a year after the death of her husband Don Barden, they leave a daughter behind to carry on the legacy.
Kenyatta says goodbye
City Councilman Kwane Kenyatta is calling it after two terms on City Council he says he's had enough. Kenyatta, unlike some of his colleagues has been a real truthfighter for the people of Detroit. But now realizing that he was pretty much a lone soldier in these battles along with Joann Watson he says its a wrap and can you blame him. Kenyatta consistently fought on behalf of the people and that is more than can be said for some of his colleagues who's lack of political acumen or respect for their constituents has been detrimental.
Suburban Leaders and Media Must Help Detroit Overcome the Racial Divide
Ficano asked to resign
Wayne County Commissioner Laura Cox, R-Livonia, is calling on County Executive Robert Ficano to resign immediately for the “good of the county.”
Cox said,“Mr. Ficano’s nauseating position of ‘plausible deniability’ by alleging he is completely unaware of any wrongdoing of his minions, makes a mockery of the government and the people he was elected to serve."
As the indictments continue to mount the comparisons to the Kilpatrick crime enterprise will grow. The result had better be the same.
IT'S TIME FOR FICANO TO GO!!
Board of Police Commissioners want milleage vote
Members of the Detroit Police Board of Police Commissioners said they will ask the City Council today to put a millage proposal on the November ballot that officials said could generate millions each year for police and fire. Board members said the 7-mill public safety proposal, if approved by voters, could generate upwards of $56 million a year for public safety. While this proposal is admirable on the part of the BOPC taxing citizens even more is not the answer. Councilman Gary Brown was quoted as saying restructuring of the police department is the answer. Not only is Brown wrong he nor his council colleagues have made an effort to collect monies owed the city by tax absconders. There is nothing left to restructure in the police department. The board should at least be commended for thinking, that's more than what we've got from Brown and the others. Before we tax the people lets collect the $155 million that goes uncollected annually and get those businesses that haven't paid their fair share of taxes to pay up. Including the one's Brown and his colleagues got campaign contributions from.
One article said the Detroit Police Officer ranks are now down to 2,100 from 2,700 in 2005.Those numbers are inaccurate. Its a lot worse than that. The department is at least 1000 officers short since 2005.
New CFO
Detroit has a new Chief Financial Officer with a 5 year six figure contract to boot. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing announced Jack Martin as the city’s chief financial officer. Martin served on the financial review team appointed by Governor Snyder. Martin said that while his focus will be on deficit elimination, he also “will place equal concern with fixing the quality of life issues which are causing citizens to leave the city of Detroit.” Martin said the city officials cannot just cut their way out of the current financial crisis, and must still provide public safety and adequate transportation, lighting and educational opportunities for its residents. He said revenue-enhancement initiatives will be put in place to help raise money to keep the city running.
“There are millions and millions of dollars which the city is entitled to that is not being collected,” he said. Amen to that, he's speaking our language.
QUESTIONS:
If cuts are needed in the police department where should they start?
How has your experience been with the virtual precincts?
