Northeastern District Transforms Into "Virtual Precinct" Monday
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit Police Department is moving ahead with its virtual precincts -- starting today at the Northeast District.
The precinct will be closed to the public between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. -- in an effort to put more officers on the street. Civilian and police desk jobs will be eliminated, and officers will be redeployed to patrols. Chief Ralph Godbee said there will be no change in police work -- officers are still there to serve Detroit.
"Policing is a 24-hour a day, seven day a week, 365 day a year job," Godbee said. A no-police precinct or district will ever be closed."
Citizens will be able to report crimes during off hours via a telephone hotline. The virtual precinct idea will be implemented as a pilot program at the Northeastern District for the next 30 days. The department will be moving toward city-wide implementation by February 6th.
