Detroit Police Department (DPD), Sgt. Hall

 

Hall provided latest crime stats for Corktown neighborhood.  There were three incidents of robbery, 

 

each occurred during different times and days – two in the morning and one in the evening.  A 

 

firearm was brandished in only one case.  Also, only one was officially reported.  The other two 

 

came to light following that report.  One of the suspects is a young black male, about 35 years old, 

 

approximately 5’10” to 6’.  One of the victims was taking in groceries.  B & E autos have dropped 

 

significantly.  Unfortunately, individuals are leaving registered firearms in their vehicles that are 

 

stolen.  He also stated there have been major arrests of perpetrators of B&Es and larcenies.   DTE 

 

bait cars helped in that apprehension.  Sgt. Hall encouraged everyone to check out 

 

crimemapping.com to learn of area crimes.  He also stressed the importance of locking car doors 

 

and not leaving any items in vehicles.  Too often drivers leave valuables visible in their cars. The 

 

mobile dispatch has been expanded beyond just weekends.  Also, more patrols have been added 

 

since the assaults, including under cover.  One of the challenges of keeping perpetrators off the 

 

street is the court system awarding them no jail time.

 

Michigan Ave. Status, Georgina McDonald, MDOT

 

The current traffic study at Michigan and Sixth, First and 20th are required by the federal 

 

government, to determine if the traffic control should remain as is, be upgraded or removed.  If 

 

usage counts don’t justify the lights [controls], government won’t continue to pay for upkeep; and if 

 

the city deems it still necessary, then the city would have to pay.  Current counts indicate minimal to 

 

no pedestrians cross at Michigan & Sixth.  McDonald stated the timing is ‘regulated’ based on 

 

technology that senses a vehicle and then changes the light.  The audience stressed that this 

 

technology does not work; and the timing is so long that it is prohibitive for drivers to use that 

 

corner – and instead detour down Bagley and cross Michigan at a different corner.  However, that 

 

light is currently on the list to be removed.  A stop sign would be placed on Sixth, but no sign / light 

 

on Michigan Ave.  The numbers are actually based on manual counting of pedestrians during peak 

 

hours.  It was suggested that a button be added to change the light to allow pedestrian crossing.  

 

The audience also encouraged residents to use the corner so they cannot be included in the counts 

 

to justify keeping the light.  McDonald discussed the Department of Transportation’s budget directly 

 

impacted that of MDOT.  The cost to upgrade the equipment will be at least $100,000, and even if 

 

there were no need for upgrades there is still cost associated with maintenance that has to be 

 

justified. The current equipment does not meet new standards.  Someone suggested contacting 

 

Patel of Traffic Engineering to have traffic light maintained.  Michigan Ave is a state road, so Patel 

 

has no justification, since he is city.  FYI – Michigan roads are designated M, I and US.  The lack of 

 

handicap accessibility at the SE corner of Michigan & Sixth was mentioned.  MDOT will look into 

 

this.  Georgina McDonald provided her contact information – 313-967-5431 / 1060 W. Fort St / 

 

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Carrie Warren, MDOT

 

Ms. Warren discussed the stated-funded resurfacing of the turn lanes at Michigan & Trumbull that 

 

occurred a few months ago.  There is also a plan to remove the pavers and repair the base of the 

 

street in June/July for a cost of $1 Mil.  Also looking at how to repair Michigan from Cass to Sixth 

 

and salvage and repurpose bricks when utility repairs are made.  MDOT hopes to extend 

 

streetscapes, but the priority is Michigan & Trumbull.  There were some concerns mentioned – curb 

 

and sidewalks not addressed on Michigan between 16th & 18th, and there were no trees planted on 

 

those streets.   If there is money available, MDT will handle.  The cut-through at Church just south of 

 

Michigan & Trumbull negatively impacts the residents, and is no longer needed.

 

Wayne County Update, Jewel Ware, Wayne County Commissioner

 

The county has until January to provide plans for the ‘unfinished’ jail, so she will have no updates 

 

until that time [after January 16, 2016].  There is an upcoming Building Authority Meeting.  The 

 

county has $100 M to aid with their debt.  $80 M was approved in June to accept into the county 

 

fund.   $1M of the $24 M surplus will be given to process the outstanding rape kits.

 

Ms. Ware mentioned that their offices are now in the beautiful Guardian Building, and they do 

 

provide tours.

 

Department of Neighborhoods, Rico Razo District 6 Manager

 

Razo stated they had just completed a cleanup assisting a 90 year old resident.  He also stated that 

 

Angel’s Nights were successful, and the city wants to focus more on fun for the kids.  Razo provided 

 

an update on the Door Bell Camera initiative.  Residents need a smart phone, wireless wifi and e-

 

mail to participate.  30 residents have signed up, but there is room for more.

 

There have been more than 3,000 nuisance abatement cases citywide.  The city is now looking into 

 

including commercial property as part of that initiative.  A resident stated that the Cesar Chavez 

 

Academy is abandoned and open and unsafe.  Razo will look into it.  He provided his contact 

 

information – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 313-236-3529.

 

Corktown Business Association, Ron Cooley

 

Cooley outlined the three priorities of the new 501©3:  (1) Reinvigorate Roosevelt Park; (2) 

 

Downsize Michigan Ave; and (3) support a Michigan Ave. Rapid transit to Airport, Ann Arbor, etc.

 

Megan Masson-Minock, LISC

 

LISC provided a brief summary of an initiative to build sustainable communities that includes 

 

Corktown, North Corktown, Hubbard Farms and Southwest Detroit.  These neighborhoods all have 

 

the same goals: safety, education, economy.  LISC is looking for projects to aid them in connecting 

 

these communities.  They have $25,000 in funding to get groups that boarder each other to work 

 

together and physically connect and include open spaces.

 

Jamal Harrison, PLA

 

Harrison provided an update on the lighting project.  PLA is 1 ½ years ahead of schedule, and is 

 

already lighting collector streets; and by the end of the year, will include Grand River and all of 

 

Michigan Ave.  Service drives will be last.  The new lights have a 20 year life span and 30 years of 

 

maintenance free operation.  There is currently a five day turnaround to repair.  There is a night 

 

crew surveying outages.  Because the new lights are more ‘focused’, residents are encouraged to 

 

leave on their porch lights, which cost less than $1/month.  If there seem to be intermittent 

 

outages, the system is shut down to re-energize.  Additionally, lights that appear to be on a timer or 

 

on all day are in the process of being optimized.  It is a power test and includes a two-day all day 

 

burn.  There is a delay with underground commercial and residential circuits, and for DTE 

 

conversions.  Previous steel poles will be replaced permanently with wood.  There has been input 

 

into pole design with some communities, which requires additional money from residents.  Because 

 

of the request for additional lights for Halloween nights, some areas were lit prematurely, and lights 

 

were then ‘turned off’ waiting actual funding for upgrades.  Downtown is the last area to be lit.  

 

Michigan & Livernois is shut down for two weeks.  Alley lights are no longer handled by the city.  If 

 

an existing alley light goes out, contact DLPA if your garage or home is accessed via the alley.  

 

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Announcements

 

Community Advisory Councils (CACs) require signatures of 10% of registered voters in the district to 

 

be created, and then residents can obtain petition signatures to run and be elected to serve on CAC.  

 

A petition is available.

 

The District 6 Evening City Council Meeting will be [tomorrow] at 7:00 p.m. at Frederick Douglass 

 

Academy for Young Men.  All are encouraged to attend.

 

DPD hosts a Stuff A Cop Car event, collecting new unwrapped toys for families – December 3rd, 8:00 

 

a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Woodward in front of the DIA.

 

There is a proposed joint Corktown + North Corktown Meeting in January to discuss development 

 

plans for the area.

 

Corktown Angel’s Nights’ volunteers were thanked for their participation; and McShane’s was 

 

thanked for being the base and providing food for volunteers.

 

More volunteers are needed to be a part of the community patrol – t-shirts, lights, signs, etc. 

 

Free help is available to assist with clean-ups, board-ups, other labor – from the Community Court 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Debra T. Walker