DETROIT (WJBK) -- Detroit's chief of police is shifting resources. Wednesday, Interim Chief Chester Logan and Mayor Dave Bing unveiled a new plan to fight crime in the city.
The goal is to get as many of the department's officers out of the precincts and on the streets either patrolling neighborhoods or investigating crimes.
"A lot of the printed media is you can't walk down the street in the city of Detroit. Nothing could be farther from the truth," says Bing.
Unless you're Cassandra Taylor.
"I stay close to home. I don't venture out very much because of all the carjackings. It doesn't happen just at night anymore. It's all during the day, early morning, afternoons, it doesn't matter."
She lives in a neighborhood on Detroit's west side near Seven Mile where gangs are taking a toll and crime is a reality.
"A lot of B&Es and I've been hearing about a lot of murders going on over here, like unsolved murders," says another resident.
DPD is eliminating specialized units like Gang Squad and TAC Mobile and putting them back on patrol. Logan says that will mean about 100 or more officers back on the streets.
"We want to make sure that every person who could be put on patrol is in patrol," he explains.
The department is also beefing up its homicide division, doubling the number of detectives without making any new hires.
Taylor says she's glad there will be more officers on patrol, but the idea of losing Gang Squad just as gangs in her neighborhood are gaining strength has her worried.
"They know how to decipher what all this graffiti means. I guess that's how the gangs tag their territory, and they know how to decipher who is where and whatever," she says. "I definitely would not like to see them disbanded."
"The idea is and the mindset is now with Gang Squad being decentralized, put back to the commands, the commanders know exactly what the issues are in their respective districts and precincts," says Commander Frankie Lewis.
The first phase of this plan will take effect at the beginning of March.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:39 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:39:46 GMT
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:28 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:28:15 GMT
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:39 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:39:46 GMT
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
(Credit: WJBK|myFOXDetroit.com) Detroit Mayor Dave Bing
