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One Detroit Partnership Announces Results of Strategy Targeting High Crime Areas in Detroit
Duggan, Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Kym Worthy, and Detroit Police Chief James E.
White, 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 8th and 9th
Precincts. The strategy had three components-enforcement, prevention, 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 Acting Special Agent in Charge Devin J. Kowalski, Federal
Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, Special Agent in Charge James Dier, Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Special Agent in Charge Orville Greene, Drug
Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division, Beverly Smith, Assistant Deputy Director,
Operations Office, Michigan Department of Corrections, Bishop Edgar Vann, II, Second
Ebenezer Church, Alvin Stokes, President, Citywide Citizens Police Community Relations and
Kenyatta Stephens, CEO Black Family Development.
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 is 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, there was nearly a 20% deduction in target
violent offenses in the 8th Precinct, a 11% reduction in the 9th Precinct, and nearly 6% reduction
citywide from June 1-August 31, 2023
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.
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, 60 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. On 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.
