Thursday, January 3 2013 11:30 PM EST2013-01-04 04:30:02 GMT
Recently released numbers show there were over 400 homicides in Detroit during 2012. What's the solution to the violence? Huel Perkins discusses with Benny Napoleon, Jalal Malik-Ikram, John Bennett and Charlie Langton.
Recently released numbers show there were over 400 homicides in Detroit during 2012. So what's the solution to the violence? Huel Perkins discusses with Benny Napoleon, Jalal Malik-Ikram, John Bennett and Charlie Langton.
Thursday, January 3 2013 10:29 PM EST2013-01-04 03:29:37 GMT
Crime stats in Detroit are staggering. Last year was the second deadliest year in the city's history. Former police chief Ike McKinnon blames the murder rate on a mindset.
Crime stats in Detroit are staggering. Last year was the second deadliest year in the city's history. Former police chief Ike McKinnon blames the murder rate on a mindset.
Thursday, January 3 2013 7:23 PM EST2013-01-04 00:23:37 GMT
Detroit's crime problem may be part gun, part economy, part leadership or lack of leadership, but it's my view that the solution is right there behind our closed doors.
Detroit's crime problem may be part gun, part economy, part leadership or lack of leadership, but it's my view that the solution is right there behind our closed doors with each and every one of us leading by example, teaching lessons of life and setting a standard.
Thursday, January 3 2013 7:22 PM EST2013-01-04 00:22:20 GMT
Jalal Malik-Ikram with the group Mothers of Murdered Children is calling on Detroit Mayor Dave Bing to make more and better policing his top priority.
Jalal Malik-Ikram with the group Mothers of Murdered Children is calling on Detroit Mayor Dave Bing to make more and better policing his top priority after numbers released Thursday showed there were over 400 homicides in the city during 2012.
Thursday, January 3 2013 6:57 PM EST2013-01-03 23:57:15 GMT
Crimes stats released Thursday show a total of 411 homicides last year in the city of Detroit, up from 377 in 2011. The numbers include 386 criminal homicides and 25 justifiable homicides.
Crimes stats released Thursday show a total of 411 homicides last year in the city of Detroit, up from 377 in 2011. The numbers include 386 criminal homicides and 25 justifiable homicides.
Thursday, January 3 2013 11:33 AM EST2013-01-03 16:33:24 GMT
"The release of annual crime statistics reminds us of the senselessness of crime and violence in our community," Mayor Bing said.
"The release of annual crime statistics reminds us of the senselessness of crime and violence in our community; the challenges facing our police force; and the need to improve conflict resolution and other anti-crime initiatives," Mayor Bing said.
By Charlie LeDuff Fox 2 News
DETROIT (WJBK) -- The 2012 crime numbers are in and they're horrible. Detroit suffered its second deadliest year in its history when taking the size of its population into account.
Excluding three people killed by police in the line of duty, Detroit suffered 408 total homicides in 2012 with an estimated population of 695,000 people. The murder rate was only higher in 1987.
Now Detroit Police officials want you to think it's really not so bad, removing 22 bodies from the official count claiming those killing as justifiable, but no other major American city does that, and even if you do, Detroit still suffered its second deadliest year.
"We've heard blame about guns, parents, the media, unemployment, poverty, what about the leadership in the department and the city? Does anybody in this room want to take any responsibility for spiraling crime?" I asked city leaders at a news conference.
"The problem lies not only solely with the police department, it lies with the press, it lies with the principal, it lies with the preacher, and it lies with the parent, so we have got to come together as a community and start to deal with this," said Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan.
Even with murder through the roof and non-fatal shootings up, as well, city leaders say there is good news.
"Our Detroit Police Department data show an overall decrease in major crime categories despite an increase in the homicide rate," said Mayor Dave Bing.
But with the police department in disarray and precincts closed after 4:00 p.m., crime experts doubt even those numbers.
"I took a class in college in lying with statistics, you know, that's always been out there. I mean, you've got to really look yourself. I mean, you've got to really look hard at the raw numbers, and I think that's really where the answers lie," said Andrew Arena with the Detroit Crime Commission.
"People in Detroit know what's going on, and this continuing effort to downplay or to say that crime is down in Detroit or to correct the figures is wrong, and you can't correct it until you get accurate reporting of crime," said retired Detroit Police Sergeant David Malhalab.
How does Detroit compare to other major American cities? We're the deadliest.
According to city police sources across the country, here's a comparison of homicides:
City
Total
Per Capita
Detroit
408
58.7/100,000
Chicago
506
19/100,000
New York
414
5/100,000
Philadelphia
331
22/100,000
Los Angeles
297
8/100,000
Baltimore
217
35/100,000
St. Louis
113
36/100,000
*2012 is Detroit's deadliest year in per capita homicides. In 1987 the homicide per capita rate was 63.5/100,000.*
With no plan on the horizon, the beat goes on in the Motor City. A cab driver was shot in the head Thursday morning. His colleagues came down to City Hall looking for answers from Mayor Bing.
"We came down here to let the mayor know that we want some police protection. Just don't put us out here and tell us to fend for ourselves. When we call the police department, we need for them to show up," said Peter Spivey, co-owner of Metropolitan Cab.
They were turned away, but I gave them the answer that rank and file police had given me. In the end, it doesn't do any good blaming everybody else. We're going to need a plan. We're going to need police, and we need a change.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:25:50 GMT
Following Minister Louis Farrakhan's message on Friday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff hit the streets to scrounge around for some available investment properties, and guess what he found?
Following Minister Louis Farrakhan's message on Friday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff hit the streets to scrounge around for some available investment properties, and guess what he found?
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:45 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:45:45 GMT
Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff attended a Detroit City Council meeting. On the agenda, some questions about a developer who is being allowed to take his time paying back a $19-million dollar loan.
On Thursday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff attended a Detroit City Council meeting. On the meeting agenda, some questions about a developer with connections to city hall who received a letter that told him he was allowed to take his time paying back a $19-million dollar loan.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:16:04 GMT
Dave Bing might run for Wayne County executive, but a condition is the officer holder must be a county resident. Charlie LeDuff decides to help his old buddy out with a few options on where he can live.
Dave Bing might run for Wayne County executive, but a condition is the officer holder must be a county resident. Charlie LeDuff decides to help his old buddy out with a few options on where he can live.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:06:18 GMT
It has been six weeks since two Detroit police officers were wounded and a suspect killed during a shootout. Now some questions have arisen and they involve Detroit EMS. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff reports.
It has been six weeks since two Detroit police officers were wounded and a suspect killed during a shootout. Now some questions have arisen and they involve Detroit EMS. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff reports.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-08 22:25:04 GMT
FOX 2 has confirmed that 101-WRIF Radio morning show hosts "Drew and Mike" will be replaced by Dave and Chuck of the Freak, the former 89X duo. The last 'Drew and Mike" broadcast is scheduled for May
The last WRIF 'Drew and Mike' show will be May 17 after the duo's contract was not renewed. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff gets an exclusive interview in the parking lot of WRIF studios.
Charlie LeDuff: Off The ChainCharlie LeDuff: Off The ChainMore>>
Friday, May 3 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-03 22:10:10 GMT
LeDuff: Let me offer a short list of things acting Bob Mayor Warfield can accomplish in his few remaining days in office. Things that could cement his legacy as one of Detroit's greats.
LeDuff: Let me offer a short list of things acting Bob Mayor Warfield can accomplish in his few remaining days in office. Things that could cement his legacy as one of Detroit's greats.
Sunday, April 21 2013 9:33 AM EDT2013-04-21 13:33:35 GMT
Coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings has been equally breathless and embarrassing. Spot reports from media outlets who once prided themselves on accuracy and reliability have been little better than Twitter feeds.
Coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings has been equally breathless and embarrassing. Spot reports from media outlets who once prided themselves on accuracy and reliability have been little better than Twitter feeds.
Monday, April 15 2013 7:21 AM EDT2013-04-15 11:21:31 GMT
I went to the dentist Friday morning and got my tooth drilled. My head was numb from the Novocain. I needed a place to hide where nobody would notice. I found it: Detroit city hall!
I went to the dentist Friday morning and got my tooth drilled. My head was numb from the Novocain. I needed a place to hide where nobody would notice. I found it: Detroit city hall!
Friday, April 5 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-04-06 00:43:42 GMT
Unknown to the citizens, the police officers and even the emergency manager himself, Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan was quietly conferred full chieftain status.
Unknown to the citizens, the police officers and even the emergency manager himself, Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan -- as he has been called for the past five months since Chief Ralph Godbee was bounced from office -- was quietly conferred full chieftain status.
Monday, April 1 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-04-01 13:07:47 GMT
Emmett Moten owns the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit. He owes $170,000 in back property taxes. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to pay a portion of the back taxes or face foreclosure.
Emmett Moten owns the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit. He owes $170,000 in back property taxes. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to pay a portion of the back taxes or face foreclosure.
Monday, March 25 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-03-25 13:52:46 GMT
Imagine Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic summoning his pursers to the wheelhouse after his ill-fated ship struck the iceberg. "Quickly gentlemen!" he shouts. "Rearrange the deck chairs. Perhaps no one will notice!"
Imagine Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic summoning his pursers to the wheelhouse after his ill-fated ship struck the iceberg. "Quickly gentlemen!" he shouts. "Rearrange the deck chairs. Perhaps no one will notice!"
Monday, March 18 2013 10:12 AM EDT2013-03-18 14:12:24 GMT
Many people are concerned about Belle Isle's future. The EFM is promising not to make any hasty decisions and to review the numbers first, but that could be a problem. There is no Belle Isle budget.
Now that Detroit has an emergency financial manager, a lot of people are concerned about the future of Belle Isle. Kevyn Orr is promising not to make any hasty decisions and to look over the numbers first, but that could be a problem. There is no Belle Isle budget.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 2:19 PM EDT2013-03-12 18:19:44 GMT
LeDuff: I don't know if an emergency manager can work in the city of Detroit. If anyone says different, they are lying. But I have to agree with one Detroiter's view, "Anything's better than what we've got right now."
LeDuff: I don't know if an emergency manager can work in the city of Detroit. If anyone says different, they are lying. But I have to agree with one Detroiter's view, "Anything's better than what we've got right now."