DETROIT – The Detroit Police Department’s goal is to tackle crime in the city, and the numbers show a reduction in some crime categories, according to Chief James White, who says the numbers look great.
It takes a village to get those numbers down, and White says he has to give credit to many people, including intervention groups within Detroit.
We sat down with White to discuss the crime stats, and we’re happy to report that the numbers are down in every category.
“We’re proud that last year we ended with a historic low,” White said. “Now we’re lower than we were last year.”
White dove deeper into the significant reductions in crucial crime categories throughout the Motor City.
“We’re looking at a 15% reduction in homicides year to date,” White said. A 15% reduction in sexual assaults. Part 1 violent crime is down 10%. Our nonfatal shootings are down 21%, and our carjackings are down 37%.”
When asked who should take credit, White said it belongs to the hardworking men and women in the DPD.
“The hardworking men and women of the Detroit Police Department,” White said. “It’s amazing to see the work that they do day in and day out. I’m awe of the people that serve this community.”
Another big difference maker is the use of community violence intervention groups, otherwise known as CVI.
“The CVI relationship is phenomenal,” White said. “They continue to do things in our neighborhoods, work with our community, and highlight areas that need support and focus, all the while bringing the gap between police departments and the community in their own unique way.”
As impressive as the numbers look, White realizes there’s still much work to do.
“Those are great numbers, but certainly, when you see some of the shooting situations we have, you’re never going to celebrate that,” White said.
Another factor is that many officers return to the force after returning from other departments in the suburbs, all because of DPD’s current raises.