Mayor Bing Announces “Detroit One” to Reduce Violent Crime

By Karen Hudson Samuels/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - The fight against violent crimes in Detroit has a powerful new weapon and strategy, the unified partnership of law enforcement agencies and the community working together as “Detroit One.”

Mayor Dave Bing announced the new initiative at a media briefing Thursday morning with U.S Attorney Barbara McQuade at his side along with law enforcement partners from the Detroit Police, State Police, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

“Last year’s increase in gun violence and homicides underscored the need for this unprecedented crime fighting strategy” said Bing. McQuade echoed that sentiment saying all concerned parties, sat down to discuss what could they do differently that would have an effect on reducing crime in the city.

A program in Washington D.C. caught their eye where McQuade said “They reduced their homicide rate from a high of 479 in the 1990’s to 88 last year so we talked to them about their program.”

The “Detroit One” initiative, which launched during a six day stretch, has already seen results. Over the periods of March 7- 9 and March 14- 16, there were 245 arrests, 41 firearms confiscated and 105 narcotic raids conducted; and no violent crimes committed.

Michigan State Police and Federal ATF officers will conduct regular patrols in the Detroit, adding a much needed street presence by law enforcement. Over the course of the year Detroit One hopes to reduce violent crime in Detroit by 25%. The initiative replicates the D.C. program but is different said McQuade in three ways.

First , law enforcement agencies will meet to share information about who’s going after the worst offenders, coordinating their efforts to target the relatively small number of lawbreakers who are responsible for most crimes in a neighborhood; this can have significant impact said McQuade. Second, address the geographical scope of city by improving the information flow among law enforcement agencies to match the mobility of offenders.

The third component is a community prosecution approach. “We have assigned U.S. Assistant Attorneys to every district in city” said McQuade. They will be on call 24/7 to issue arrest warrants and assist police with legal advice. Police and prosecutors will work together as team to decide whether federal or state charges are most appropriate.

Engaging the community is an essential and critical aspect of Detroit One program. Leaders from the faith based community and non-profit organizations, including Crime Stoppers, Youth Voice and ARISE Detroit, gathered following the Mayor’s media briefing to hear from Bing and the U.S. Attorney.

The community is being asked to end the ‘No Snitch’ culture and become a moral voice that commands respect and demands safe neighborhoods. Regular town hall meetings will be held by law enforcement and city leaders to keep the community informed.