Detroit on Pace for Fewest Homicides Since 1966 (Redford, Wixom: crime rate, homes)

[Geo-Aggie]

This is according to an article from Detroit News today. Naturally one may say that there was twice as many people living in Detroit in 1966, and you'd be correct, but still - this is a positive not only as it indicates less crime in the city, but also because it's a piece of a better image that Detroit so desperately needs. The rate is obviously still rather high, but it should drop it below 3-4 other major cities (St. Louis, Baltimore, New Orleans, possibly Kansas City). Most importantly this is a 13% drop from where the city was last year, and this is in a year where despite census estimates, I believe most would suggest the city population was stagnant or posted a very slight (<1%) growth rate.

Also of note is a 13% drop in non-fatal shootings, 15% drop in robberies, 4% drop in both assaults and arson.

Certainly still lots and lots and lots of room for improvement, but not a bad little stat coming out of the Motor City.

[Marie Joseph]

Yes, it's some positive news and Detroit does have an image problem with people who are unfamiliar with it.

I lived in the Detroit area (Redford Township & Wixom) for 10 years and really enjoyed it. Definitely does not deserve the terrible reputation that it has.

I also lived around Memphis and found that a LOT scarier than Detroit

I've been hearing a lot of good news lately coming out of Detroit about reinvestment in the city and potential jobs coming in. This is one more piece of positive news and might hopefully bring some companies into the area when they find out it isn't the scary place they think

[usroute10]

Thanks for highlighting this article. Hopefully, this is the continuance of, or at least the beginning of, a noticeable downward trend in violent crime in the city that will result in a higher quality of life for our residents and will encourage people to move to the city.

[2nd trick op]

Originally Posted by usroute10

Thanks for highlighting this article. Hopefully, this is the continuance of, or at least the beginning of, a noticeable downward trend in violent crime in the city that will result in a higher quality of life for our residents and will encourage people to move to the city.

The reduction in homicides is probably related in large part to the reduction in population and economic activity; it would be more relevant to measure the rate of homicides on a per capita basis; in addition. there needs to be a differentiation between domestic homicides arising from interpersonal hostility, frustrations and personal despair / alienation, vs those arising from economic pressures and and gang-related origins.

Detroit (that is, the city proper as opposed to the Metro) will continue to fester and simply burn itself out; and the political hacks in charge have no direct incentive for reform; their only goal is to continue to whip a dead horse. The local Pollyannas might point to a small improvement in the symptoms, but the disease remains.

[Geo-Aggie]

Originally Posted by 2nd trick op

The reduction in homicides is probably related in large part to the reduction in population and economic activity; it would be more relevant to measure the rate of homicides on a per capita basis; in addition. there needs to be a differentiation between domestic homicides arising from interpersonal hostility, frustrations and personal despair / alienation, vs those arising from economic pressures and and gang-related origins.

Detroit (that is, the city proper as opposed to the Metro) will continue to fester and simply burn itself out; and the political hacks in charge have no direct incentive for reform; their only goal is to continue to whip a dead horse. The local Pollyannas might point to a small improvement in the symptoms, but the disease remains.

I believe if you actually read my Original Post you’d see I addressed your concerns about per capita rates and the current population trends within the city.

Census estimates aside, I believe there’s significant evidence from other parties such as DTE (more hookups than disconnects), DWSD (more accounts being paid), and the city itself (reporting almost 4,000 rehabbed and occupied neighborhood homes) indicating the population bleed has stopped, if not reversed in 2017, and possibly even in 2016.

[North 42]

Originally Posted by 2nd trick op

The reduction in homicides is probably related in large part to the reduction in population and economic activity; it would be more relevant to measure the rate of homicides on a per capita basis; in addition. there needs to be a differentiation between domestic homicides arising from interpersonal hostility, frustrations and personal despair / alienation, vs those arising from economic pressures and and gang-related origins.

Detroit (that is, the city proper as opposed to the Metro) will continue to fester and simply burn itself out; and the political hacks in charge have no direct incentive for reform; their only goal is to continue to whip a dead horse. The local Pollyannas might point to a small improvement in the symptoms, but the disease remains.

Economic activity is up in Detroit, no reduction there! More jobs, more construction and more stability. You are obviously clueless about the city and seem to enjoy spewing inaccuracies that haven’t been true for years! Go troll somewhere else please!

[Indentured Servant]

The drug game has played a large role in Detroit homicides since the 70's, spiking during the Heroin epidemic then again during the crack epidemic. Crack cocaine seriously spiked the murder rate and the decline of crack has been paralleled by a decline in homicides.

The city has also exported some of its crime through the drug trade. Crews branch out to Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Western PA, parts of Indiana, Tennessee etc. The same thing happened with Crack but there was plenty of local addicts to make dealing profitable in the city. With opiods, however, the Appalachia region has plenty of addicts and many Detroit crews hit the road to supply...instead of beefing over market control locally (resulting in increased homicides). Fighting the opioid epidemic, one step at a time | 104.5 FM & 1440 AM | The Voice of Morgantown | Morgantown, WV

The big drop in city homicides is rooted in the same phenomenon that led to its rise. Also, Detroit is becoming a top city for rap artist. Rap is pulling many crews out the streets and into the recording booth as the local rap scene is producing a lot of national success as of late. If people think they can make money in the rap game they lessen their hustling in the streets. Although some are just fronts for it.

[drro]

There is no doubt Detroit is currently greatly improving. However be careful when drawing conclusions from statistics like this. The number of homicides may have declined because the thugs got worse at aiming or because the doctors have gotten better at treating gunshot wounds. That's what the article says too:

"In recent years, advances in medicine have driven down homicide numbers nationwide, Craig said.

“That’s something that doesn’t get talked about, but emergency room doctors do a phenomenal job of saving lives,” he said. “A lot of those cases would be homicides in years past.”"

[North 42]

Originally Posted by drro

There is no doubt Detroit is currently greatly improving. However be careful when drawing conclusions from statistics like this. The number of homicides may have declined because the thugs got worse at aiming or because the doctors have gotten better at treating gunshot wounds. That's what the article says too:

"In recent years, advances in medicine have driven down homicide numbers nationwide, Craig said.

“That’s something that doesn’t get talked about, but emergency room doctors do a phenomenal job of saving lives,” he said. “A lot of those cases would be homicides in years past.”"

Lol,ok. Or, maybe it’s because the crime rate in general has fallen dramatically, and the police are better equipped and have more resources available to them now that the city is in better shape financially!

[zthatzmanz28]

Obviously someone miss counted..I have contacted the Chief for a recount.