Does Detroit have a gang problem? Depends on who you ask
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By Andrea Isom, Fox 2 News -
DETROIT (WJBK) -
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?
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:23 PM EDT2013-05-17 00:23:43 GMT
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-05-14 03:33:57 GMT
Latoiya Mitchell-Thomas has been found not guilty of attempted murder and assault in the Detroit Princess shooting last August. She was convicted of a concealed weapons charge.
Latoiya Mitchell-Thomas has been found not guilty of attempted murder and assault in the Detroit Princess shooting last August. She was convicted of a concealed weapons charge.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:26:50 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:10 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:10:41 GMT
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:42:57 GMT
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
