As Detroit breaks down, scourge of arson burns out of control
Violent crime down 13% in Detroit, FBI records show
It’s been a year since Vaughn Arrington was carjacked outside his house on Pelkey in Detroit. Arrington was discussing a youth jobs program with a woman from Cleveland when a gunman assaulted the woman and drove off in Arrington’s Ford Mustang. Despite the incident, Arrington, 34, who installed video cameras on his east side property last year to record criminals, said crime is down in his neighborhood. “I’ve been the victim, but I’m telling you, things are getting better,” he said. New FBI statistics released Monday show violent crime dropped 13 percent in Detroit in 2015 compared to the year before, setting it apart from other major cities such as Chicago. The Illinois city’s spike has made violent crime there and nationwide a hot topic on the presidential campaign trail. Chicago reported 25,663 violent crimes in 2015, up from 24,085 a year earlier while nationally, the violent crime rate rose 3.9 percent. Among those were Warren, Dearborn, Lansing and Grand Rapids. nterry@detroitnews.com
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Los Angeles market trends indicate an increase of $47,500 (8%) in median home sales over the past year. The average price per square foot for this same period rose to $526, up from $479. Map Data Map data ©2016 Google, INEGI Median Listing Price Median Sales Price in Los Angeles No. Median Rent in Los Angeles Open Homes Los Angeles, CA Safe Neighborhoods Los Angeles, CA
Few feel Detroit's struggles like police officers; High crime, poor equipment challenge department
By SHARON COHEN AP National Writer DETROIT (AP) - It has come to this: Even some criminals sympathize with Detroit's cops. Baron Coleman thought he'd heard it all in his 17 years patrolling the streets. But then came the city's bankruptcy, a 10 percent cut in police salaries, followed by support from a most unlikely corner - the bad guys. "When they saw us take a pay cut they were in shock. We were arresting guys ... and they were like, 'I can't believe your city would do you like this.' ... Detroit police officers have long known adversity: They've worked in crumbling station houses with busted pipes, driven run-down cars, tangled with balky radios. As Detroit tries to rebound - a plan to emerge from bankruptcy was filed Friday - few groups, if any, have been feeling the pain of the city's financial collapse more than the police. Baron Coleman knows it's hard being a police officer anywhere. The bankruptcy erased all that. He is the fifth man to hold the position in five years.
Detroit pays high price for arson onslaught
Detroit — Arson is a raging epidemic in Detroit, destroying neighborhoods and lives as the city tries to emerge from bankruptcy. Even amid a historic demolition blitz, buildings burn faster than Detroit can raze them. Last year, the city had 3,839 suspicious fires and demolished 3,500 buildings, according to city records analyzed by The Detroit News. Burned homes scar neighborhoods for years: Two-thirds of those that caught fire from 2010-13 are still standing, records show. "Nothing burns like Detroit," said Lt. The Detroit News researched arson for more than three months and found that it remains a huge obstacle to renewal efforts following bankruptcy. Few neighborhoods were untouched by arson and the entire city bears its costs. "People don't realize arson is a felony. Aides to Mayor Mike Duggan, who has made fighting blight the cornerstone of his administration, declined comment on The News' findings or his strategy for reducing arson. 'Arson is like a cancer' The News found:
2013 - 2014 Executive Budget Summary | Detroit Budget Archives Information | Find Detroit History & Archives | How Do I | City of Detroit
OVERVIEW:Describes the City's organization, financial processes and policies (147 kb) SUMMARY - ALL FUNDS:Sorts the activities proposed for 2013-2014 according to overall functions of City government, organizational units of administration, funds, budgetary objects, and major types of revenue. It explains capital, operating and staffing proposals in the context of historical trends. (938 kb) SUMMARY - GENERAL FUNDS:Sorts the activities proposed for 2013-2014 according to overall functions of City government, organizational units of administration, funds, budgetary objects, and major types of revenue. It explains capital, operating and staffing proposals in the context of historical trends. Non-Departmental items, including agencies: Board of Ethics, Cable Commission, Detroit Building Authority, Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Authority, and Detroit Human Resource Management - HR Payroll Project (144 kb)Sinking Interest and Redemption (Debt Service) (25 kb)
Real Estate Market Trends for Detroit, MI
Detroit market trends indicate an increase of $181 (0%) in median home sales over the past year. The average price per square foot for this same period rose to $38, up from $34. Map Data Map data ©2016 Google Median Listing Price Median Sales Price in Detroit No. Median Rent in Detroit Remodeled Kitchens Detroit, MI Safe Neighborhoods Detroit, MI The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Detroit retirees to see pension cuts starting Monday
City of Detroit retirees covered by the general retirement system are beginning to see pension cuts take effect with their March check. Retirees reported that they received notices in the mail on Friday. The March checks, as well as paperwork for those who use direct deposit, show that the cuts are taking place now. The March 1 date had been targeted as the time to begin the cuts, though some earlier reports suggested the move might have been delayed until April 1. Following the city's exit out of bankruptcy, retirees who had worked for the water department, bus system and other general city departments, will now see at least a 4.5% cut to their pension checks. A group of retirees who are giving back some interest earned as part of an annuity savings fund, dubbed as a clawback, will see their pension checks reduced by up to 20% each month. About 1,450 receiving pension checks will receive some assistance via a program for lower-income households.
