Detroit Council Has Questions About Detroit Precinct Plan
DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit City Council's hopes for a conversation with the police chief about changes to the police department have been dashed.
Police Chief Ralph Godbee is scheduled to begin his pilot non-emergency telephone program at the Northeast District this afternoon, but Godbee canceled a scheduled meeting with council on Monday.
Council members Gary Brown and Brenda Jones said there is a lot of confusion about the new program, adding to confusion already surrounding other city issues.
"You know, you're being asked questions in the community about precincts being shut down and (things) of that nature," said Brown. "And the other question that constantly came up over the weekend was what's going on with light rail and my answer was, 'I'm confused as you are.'"
Added Jones, "I guess my concern ... we need to be updated, because we are being asked questions."
"This body should be one of the first bodies to be getting an update on anything in regards to what's going on in the community with the precincts as well as the consent decree that we continue to pay out money for," she said. "It does not have to be the chief to come if the chief if unavailable, but there is an assistant chief."
Godbee said last week that he is not closing precincts and even during the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. citizens can still come inside the precincts, but there will be limited personnel. Phones will be available for citizens to call in non-emergencies. (More on this here).
