Citizens, police and city officials are at odds in Detroit over whether there's a gang problem and it all depends on who you ask.
Dozens of residents turned out Thursday night to share their concerns with the Detroit Police Commission. The meeting comes as the city looks at restructuring the police department, including the elimination of the gang squad.
"We need our gang squad because if you get rid of them, all hell's gonna break loose come sometime," said one citizen during the meeting at East English Village Preparatory Academy. "You know that and I know that."
In a recent survey of 250 Detroit Public School students, 80 percent admitted to being in a gang and knowing someone who was in a gang.
"We don't have the gang problem that we would have in a city like L.A. or some of the west coast gangs," said Detroit Board of Police Commission Chair Rev. Jerome Warfield.
Students at Denby High School are circulating a petition right now aimed at keeping the gang squad. So far, they've collected 400 signatures.
What do you think? Does the city have a gang problem?
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.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 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.
