Detroit Mayor Dave Bing addresses community volunteers at the 2009 Angels Night Rally on the city's northside. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

Detroit comes together for a successful Angels’ Night Volunteers key to keeping arsonists at bay

DETROIT, MI -- Mayor Dave Bing today credited the efforts of Detroit Fire, Homeland Security and Police Departments; municipal departments; and tens of thousands of volunteers who joined together over the three-night Angels’ Night weekend to successfully patrol the city and deter would-be arsonists.

Final statistics released at a press conference today showed that the total number of fires were down by 12 percent from the last year. This total included the new reporting system used by the Detroit Fire Department which changed the way fires were reported.

“The statistics show that when our community comes together for a common cause we can take back the streets,” said Mayor Dave Bing.
“The tireless effort of residents, volunteers, public safety agencies, corporate partners, city departments and employees demonstrated to the region and nation the pride we have in our city.”

According to the Detroit Fire Department, there was 119 total fires over the three night Angels’ Night period. In 2008, there were 136 fires during the same period.

The 2009 Angels’ Night campaign started months before the actual weekend as Detroit Homeland Security brought together personnel from Detroit Fire and Police to identify potential areas with higher frequency of fires.

“I would like to thank Detroit Fire Fighters and other Detroit Fire Department personnel for utilizing manpower and resources in the best possible way,” said Detroit Fire Commissioner James Mack.

Mayor Bing acknowledged the work of the public safety agencies to make the Angels’ Night effort a success, but he also praised the residents who pitched and followed this year’s theme of “Watch Your Block.”

City departments also demonstrated an unprecedented level of information sharing to reduce possible fire hazards, an effort which Mayor Bing intends to continue beyond one weekend a year.

“The residents of Detroit should expect nothing but the best in delivery of services, and after this weekend, for all of our city departments to continue this level responsiveness,” said Mayor Bing.
“I would hope that our residents would also continue to “Watch Their Block” throughout the year.”

As the public safety agencies analyzed data, personnel from Mayor Bing’s administration mobilized volunteers and contacted business partners to help offset the costs of the three day campaign.

More than 30,000 individual volunteers joined community groups from across the city in a variety of capacities including car patrols, providing meals and supporting administrative tasks. A final number of volunteers are still being tallied as this year’s campaign was more community based and asked residents to turn on their porch lights and “Watch Their Block.”

ANGELS’ NIGHT BY THE NUMBERS

2009 Volunteer Effort
More than 30,000 people volunteered during the Angels’ Night weekend.
This year the city had the theme, “Watch Your Block,” which empowered residents to volunteer and work in their own neighborhood.

Detroit Police Department 2009 Angel’s Night Stats

Pre-Angel’s Night Warrant Sweep:

• 22 suspects arrested on warrants for Criminal Sexual Conduct
• 8 suspects arrested on arson related warrants
• 101 home spot checks of parolees/probationers were conducted
with the Michigan Department of Corrections, resulting in four (4) arrests for various violations.

Angel’s Night Three-Night Initiative

• 137 juvenile curfew violations
• 77 from Eastern District Sweep
• 5 adult arrests
• 3 men squatting inside vacant home of reported fire
• 2 arson warrant arrests

Corporations and businesses who supported the Angels’ Night efforts include:

Advanced Medical Transportation
American Red Cross
Arlington Display Industries, Inc.
Artaja Treats, Inc.
Beverage I
Biggby Coffee
Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Bookies Bar & Grille
Butzel Long
Capital Waste
Champion Paper Products, Windsor, Ont.
Coca-Cola
Comcast
Comerica Bank
Consulting Engineering Associates
Corktown
Covanta - Michigan Waste Energy
Detroit Meter Partners
Detroit Thermal
DIA
DTE
Eastern Michigan Distrubutors
Eric D. Huffman, Agent, State Farm Inc.
Fishbones
Film Production Co.
Fritz Enterprises, Inc
Futurenet Group
Gleaners Detroit
Globewide Favor Construction Co.
Imperial Construction
Inland Waters
James Group International
Kolene
Kroger
Lakeshore Engineering
Little Caesars Pizza
Mack Promotions
Marathon Petroleum Co.
Masco Corporation
Metro Detroit, LLC
MGM Casino
Michigan First Credit Union
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters
Mike's Fresh Market
Miller, Canfield, Paddock
Motor City Casino
Motor City Electric
Motor City Soul Foods – Margaret Clay
Pepsi Co.
Popeyes Chicken
The producers of the movie Red Dawn
The Recycle Green Co.
Red Bull
Savon Foods
Sam’s Club
Sinbad’s Restaurant, Inc.
State Farm Independent Dealer
Tucker, Young, Jackson, Tull, Inc.
US Census
Value Wholesale
Weiss Construction
White Castle
Wolverine Packing
UAW Ford
UAW Region 1A