Police Chief Craig reverses decision to stop releasing violent crime reports

In May, Detroit Police Chief James Craig inexplicably stopped releasing public information on daily shootings, murders and other violent crimes, making it appear as if the city was safer than it is.

We became the only news organization to publicly take Chief Craig to task, questioning why a police department in one of the nation’s most dangerous cities would leave residents in the dark about the locations and circumstances of shootings. The information also contained information about the suspects.

Without explanation last week, Chief Craig resumed the release of the information, finally providing insight again into the number and locations of shootings. buy augmentin online https://mabvi.org/wp-content/languages/new/over/augmentin.html over the counter

The chief had a change of heart after meeting with media on June 17.

“Recognizing the need to be transparent with our media partners and our community is extremely important,” Chief James Craig told us in a statement. “Without the bond, cooperation and trust we as a police department and as a city cannot move forward to making Detroit a better place to live, work and play.”

The daily shooting reports were halted immediately following the death of radio personality and activist Angelo Henderson, who spoke daily about the crime reports and the wanted suspects on his show.

Unlike other appointed officials, Craig is immune from public pressure and accountability because he was selected by state-appointed Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr. buy elavil online https://mabvi.org/wp-content/languages/new/over/elavil.html over the counter

Mayor Mike Duggan, for example, has no authority over the chief and has been asked to stay silent on most police issues. But that may change soon because the mayor is expected to take over the police department later this year.

For years, the police department released daily information about violent crimes. It included the location of the incidents, information on the victims and most important, details of the suspects. Then-Chief Ralph Godbee said the information was critical for residents.

That information was used by the media, including us, to warn the public about dangerous suspects and to map out the location of violent crimes. buy amitriptyline online https://mabvi.org/wp-content/languages/new/over/amitriptyline.html over the counter

Since Craig became chief, he pledged to create a more transparent department since crime is considered the number one reason people leave the city. But soon after taking over, Craig made dramatic changes to how police response time was recorded – a move that makes it appear as if cops are responding much quicker than they do.

Have a tip on police? Send us an e-mail at [email protected].

  Chief Craig, crime, FOIA, media, Murder, police, public information, Records, Shootings, Violence

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.

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