http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/10...says-war-like-detroit-is-unsafe-for-visitors/
Enter At Your Own Risk: Police Union Says ââ¬ËWar-Likeââ¬â¢ Detroit Is Unsafe For Visitors
DETROIT (WWJ) ââ¬â The men and women of the Detroit Police Department believe the city is too dangerous to enter, and they want citizens to know it.
Detroit Police Officer Association (DPOA) Attorney Donato Iorio said officers are holding the ââ¬ÅEnter At Your Own Riskââ¬Â rally at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in front of Comerica Park to remind the public that the officers are overworked, understaffed, and at times, fearful for their lives.
ââ¬ÅDetroit is Americaââ¬â¢s most violent city, its homicide rate is the highest in the country and yet the Detroit Police Department is grossly understaffed,ââ¬Â Iorio told WWJââ¬â¢s Kathryn Larson. ââ¬ÅThe DPOA believes that there is a war in Detroit, but there should be a war on crime, not a war on its officers.ââ¬Â
Iorio says the once 2,000 strong force is shrinking rapidly; since the start of summer, hundreds of officers have left the department.
ââ¬ÅThese are the men and women who we look to protect usââ¬Â¦ and police officers canââ¬â¢t protect you if theyââ¬â¢re not there. Officers are leaving simply because they canââ¬â¢t afford to stay in Detroit and work 12 hour shifts for what they are getting paidââ¬Â¦ These police officers are beyond demoralized, these officers are leaving hand over fist because they can no longer afford to stay on the department and protect the public,ââ¬Â he said.
And thatââ¬â¢s why Iorio cautions those who enter the city to be wary.
ââ¬ÅThe explosion in violent crime, the incredible spike in the number of homicides and for officers trying to work 12 hours in such deplorable, dangerous and war like conditions is simple untenable,ââ¬Â he said.
Iorio said the department today has less officers than ever, even though crime rates are through the roof.
ââ¬ÅBy denying police officers the appropriate manpower, thereââ¬â¢s a manpower crisis right now, thereââ¬â¢s 1,000 fewer police officers today than there was 10 years ago, yet the homicide rate is higher. Thereââ¬â¢s more crime now than before, so if anything you need more officers, not fewer officers,ââ¬Â he said.
And a good video, even if it is a bit old. Detroit is far worse today than it was in 2009 when this video was shot. But the reporter does a good job at describing what brought it to this state.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1hhJ_49leBw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Enter At Your Own Risk: Police Union Says ââ¬ËWar-Likeââ¬â¢ Detroit Is Unsafe For Visitors
DETROIT (WWJ) ââ¬â The men and women of the Detroit Police Department believe the city is too dangerous to enter, and they want citizens to know it.
Detroit Police Officer Association (DPOA) Attorney Donato Iorio said officers are holding the ââ¬ÅEnter At Your Own Riskââ¬Â rally at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in front of Comerica Park to remind the public that the officers are overworked, understaffed, and at times, fearful for their lives.
ââ¬ÅDetroit is Americaââ¬â¢s most violent city, its homicide rate is the highest in the country and yet the Detroit Police Department is grossly understaffed,ââ¬Â Iorio told WWJââ¬â¢s Kathryn Larson. ââ¬ÅThe DPOA believes that there is a war in Detroit, but there should be a war on crime, not a war on its officers.ââ¬Â
Iorio says the once 2,000 strong force is shrinking rapidly; since the start of summer, hundreds of officers have left the department.
ââ¬ÅThese are the men and women who we look to protect usââ¬Â¦ and police officers canââ¬â¢t protect you if theyââ¬â¢re not there. Officers are leaving simply because they canââ¬â¢t afford to stay in Detroit and work 12 hour shifts for what they are getting paidââ¬Â¦ These police officers are beyond demoralized, these officers are leaving hand over fist because they can no longer afford to stay on the department and protect the public,ââ¬Â he said.
And thatââ¬â¢s why Iorio cautions those who enter the city to be wary.
ââ¬ÅThe explosion in violent crime, the incredible spike in the number of homicides and for officers trying to work 12 hours in such deplorable, dangerous and war like conditions is simple untenable,ââ¬Â he said.
Iorio said the department today has less officers than ever, even though crime rates are through the roof.
ââ¬ÅBy denying police officers the appropriate manpower, thereââ¬â¢s a manpower crisis right now, thereââ¬â¢s 1,000 fewer police officers today than there was 10 years ago, yet the homicide rate is higher. Thereââ¬â¢s more crime now than before, so if anything you need more officers, not fewer officers,ââ¬Â he said.
And a good video, even if it is a bit old. Detroit is far worse today than it was in 2009 when this video was shot. But the reporter does a good job at describing what brought it to this state.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1hhJ_49leBw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>