Tuesday, February 12 2013 7:49 AM EST2013-02-12 12:49:50 GMT
Violent crime is up in Detroit, but arrests are significantly down. It's a bad time for low morale to affect how police do their jobs, but one officer says that's exactly what's happening.
Violent crime is up in Detroit, but arrests are significantly down. It's a bad time for low morale to affect how police do their jobs, but one officer says that's exactly what's happening.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
A Detroit police officer says plumbing problems at a city precinct forced he and his colleagues to step over feces, toilet paper and urine for weeks as officials tried to deal with the mess.
The veteran officer says the backup at the city's 12th Precinct along 7 Mile Road made working conditions unbearable.
"Everybody needs to know," said the officer, who sat down with FOX 2 but wished to remain anonymous. "Everyone needs to know how we're being treated."
According to the officer, the sewage smells began to take over the men's locker room three weeks ago. "We complained about it," said the officer. "Everyone who came out made noise about it." But he says all that noise-making never made a bit of difference. "We just dealt with it like we've been dealing with everything else."
The officer says his colleagues were forced to step over feces, toilet paper and urine coming up from the floor drain in order to get their lockers. (See the photo gallery above for more pics sent in to FOX 2)
The officer says a shoddy cleanup job was executed, and yellow caution sign with a "bio hazard" paper taped to it was placed in the locker room. Officers were told to avoid the area and use the facilities in the front of the precinct.
The officer says since then, the building's plumbing problems have only gotten worse. He says a sewer backup in the prisoner area forced officers to move the inmates to different quarters. "They got them out of harm's way immediately. They basically told us we had to deal with what's coming up through the floor."
Detroit police spokeswoman Sgt. Eren Stephens did send FOX 2 photos Monday night of the cleaned up locker room. She did admit, however, that it took several days to clean up and disinfect the area.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:36:39 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:23 GMT
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:46:26 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
A photo taken in the 12th Precinct's locker room.
