Detroit mayor, police chief announce new strategy to address recent violence at block parties
(CBS DETROIT) - Detroit officials announced Monday a new strategy for addressing the recent violence at neighborhood block parties and provided an update after two people were killed and 19 others were injured in a shooting on the city's east side early Sunday morning.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit Police Chief James White and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy were joined by Community Violence Intervention partners in making the announcement at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters.
Sunday's shooting took place in the area of Reno Street and Rossini Drive. Witnesses say the shooting stemmed from a late-night block party.
White said six men and 15 women were victims in the shooting. Police recovered nine guns from the scene and more than 100 shell casings.
Duggan said that since July 4, there have been shootings at six illegal block parties. Three people were killed in those shootings, and 24 others were injured.
"The level of violence resulting from block parties in recent weeks has increased to an unacceptable level that has now turned tragic," said Mayor Duggan. "Chief White and I have been in constant communication over the past two days, and we have a strategy we both are confident will make sure block parties in the city are held legally and safely."
In response to the uptick in violence at these neighborhood block parties, Detroit police have created a Neighborhood Response Team. The team will focus on compliance and enforcement and will treat 911 calls regarding illegal block parties as Priority 1 runs. The team will consist of 80 officers who are responsible for finding illegal block parties, providing warnings and shutting down parties, if necessary.
The city says neighborhood block parties become illegal if:
- Cars are parked on the sidewalks, lawns, or illegally on the street
- Attendees begin loitering in public areas or otherwise interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic
- Music and noise are excessive, which can be at any time, but are enforced more strictly after 10 p.m.
- Minors unaccompanied by parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult violating curfew:
- 15 and under after 10 p.m.
- 17 and under after 11 p.m.
"We ask for the public's help in shutting down the illegal block parties in the early stages before problems develop," said Chief White. "Anyone who sees an unpermitted block party, or one that is spilling over the front yard or illegally parking on the streets, sidewalks, or lawns, call 911 immediately. DPD will treat this as a priority 1 call. Please work with us to keep your neighborhoods safe."
City officials said those interested in hosting a block party need to apply for a permit and receive signatures from 75% of the neighbors who live on their block. These parties must be shut down by 10 p.m.
Those who host illegal block parties and the property owners are subject to prosecution. The city said many of those attending the block parties come from 25–50 miles away, helping to create "unlicensed regional events."
"There are no new words to be said that have not already been said about the availability of guns, the maniacal need to use them to settle disputes no matter who is in the line of fire, and the entitlement to carry them illegally," said Worthy. "Block parties used to be good, clean fun. But now many of them are venues of death, fear, violence, and destruction. Should we have to regulate them? No. Must we? Absolutely yes. I will have more to say about this particular potential case when a warrant request is brought to my office after a completed investigation."