One Detroit Partnership Announces Results of Unified Summer Enforcement, Prevention, and Reentry Strategy Targeting Designated High Crime Areas in Detroit

DETROIT – Today, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison, along with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Kym Worthy, and Detroit Police Chief James E. White as part of the One Detroit Violence Reduction Partnership announced the results of the targeted strategy aimed at reducing gun violence in Detroit’s neighborhoods with the highest incidence of violent crime – Detroit’s 8^th and 9^th Precincts. The strategy had three components—prevention, enforcement, and reentry—and is a part of the One Detroit partnership announced earlier this year. One Detroit is a coalition of community and law enforcement partners working together to develop and execute the best strategies to reduce violent crime. 

Joining in the announcement were Alvin Stokes, President, Citywide Citizens Police Community Relations, Acting Special Agent in Charge Devin J. Kowalski, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, Bishop Edgar Vann, II, Second Ebenezer Church,  Special Agent in Charge James Deir, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Kenyatta Stephens, CEO Black Family Development,  Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene, Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division, and Beverly Smith, Assistant Deputy Director, Operations Office, Michigan Department of Corrections.

The initiative began on Memorial Day and ended on Labor Day.  One part of the effort was an enforcement strategy designed to prosecute the most violent individuals and crimes in federal court when that was possible. This effort resulted in 22 defendants being charged with federal firearms offenses including being a felon in possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a machine gun, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.  Of those charged, 13 defendants have been detained pending trial, three defendants have pleaded guilty to charges, and 18 defendants are pending trial.

According to Detroit Police Department statistics, from June 1 to August 31, there was nearly a 20% reduction in target violent offenses in the 8^th Precinct, an 11% reduction in the 9^th Precinct, and a nearly 6% reduction citywide compared to the same time last year.

The One Detroit partnership also engaged in preventing crime in the targeted areas through Peacenics, a collective gathering of the community and law enforcement where we shared in food, fellowship and fun in the name of peace.  The events featured vendors offering a variety of resources, including job training, literacy programs, mental health and medical screenings, utility assistance, educational and vocational opportunities, tutorial, career development.  The Peacenics allowed residents to have fun, engage with law enforcement, and obtain resources to improve the quality of their lives.   Approximately, 4800 Detroit residents attended the two Peacenics held on July 8 in O’Hair Park and July 15 in Heilmann Park. 

Finally, the One Detroit partnership also focused on reentry as a way of preventing recidivism by empowering returning citizens to become stable, contributing members of the Detroit community.  As a result of these efforts, 50 returning citizens participated in community roundtables intended to provide motivation and insight about taking advantage of second chances after a criminal conviction.  At the events, family members of probationers were also invited to participate in breakout sessions to discuss barriers to stability. One Detroit partners also assisted with employment needs and helped connect attendees with resources.

United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison stated, “We are encouraged about the progress we made toward our goal to make this city safer, but there is still work to do.   My office and our One Detroit Partners won’t stop working until we can meaningfully reduce violence in this city.”  

Mayor Duggan stated, "We've never had a US Attorney here in Detroit as passionate about crime prevention in our neighborhoods than Dawn Ison, and the results of her strategy speak for themselves. We saw a nearly 20% reduction in violent crime in the 8th Precinct alone this summer. The balanced approach of strict multi-agency enforcement against those who commit acts of violence and support for those willing to participate in programs that keep them out of trouble, surely made a big difference."

“This partnership is something that we must continue. It is always vitally important to work together to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in Detroit. The initiative has wisely included supporting our returning citizens. This component is a welcome addition that will pay dividends in the future,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.

“We’re encouraged by the results of this year’s One Detroit Partnership, which brought agencies at all levels of the system and members of the community together to keep people safe in some of the city’s neighborhoods that are most impacted by crime,” said Chief James E. White. “I look forward to continued collaboration with these partners in our mission to make Detroit a safer place for all.”