FOCIS presents: “City Under Siege: A University Forum on the Crime Crisis in Detroit”

DETROIT - The Forum on Contemporary Issues in Society (FOCIS) at Wayne State University will present City Under Siege: A University Forum on the Crime Crisis in Detroit. The two-day symposium explores the concept of community policing as a strategy for reducing crime in urban areas such as Detroit.

Detroit’s future hinges in large part on whether or not we can solve our crime problem. For too long, Detroit’s image has been one synonymous with crime. More than once, our city has topped the list of the most dangerous cities in America. Staggering poverty, widespread unemployment and a failing school system have so far exacerbated Detroit’s crime epidemic. And with our unparalleled budget crisis, hundreds fewer city police officers may be available to protect Detroit’s more than 700,000 citizens. It very well may be that our city can go no further until we find a way for residents, visitors and investors to feel safer - and actually be safer.

The program will feature a variety of speakers and panelists including:

• William J. Bratton (Sept. 21 keynote speaker)
Author, Former Chief, Los Angeles Police Department
and former Commissioner, Boston and New York City Police Departments

• Andrew Arena
Executive Director, Detroit Crime Commission; former special agent, FBI, Detroit Division

• Ralph Godbee
Chief, Detroit Police Department

• Anthony Holt
Chief, Wayne State University Police Department

• George Kelling
Sr. Fellow, Manhattan Institute

• Kirk Lewis
Chief of Staff, City of Detroit

• Barbara McQuade
United States Attorney, Eastern District of Michigan

• Kym L. Worthy
Wayne County Prosecutor

The Forum will be held Sept. 20 and 21, 2012 Community Arts Auditorium, Wayne State University main campus