Tag: police

In Car Police Cameras: Keeping the Public and the Police Safe


The recent events in Ferguson, MO and New York City have put an emphasis on police departments around the country to improve their procedures, including their procedures for internal regulation and investigation. There have been many suggestions put forth by police officials and citizens alike, but one suggestion in particular is gaining some traction: body cameras. Body cameras, which, as the name suggests, are cameras attached to a police officer’s person, are being put forth as a possible solution to the increasingly contentious issues of police brutality and public transparency. Police departments already use cameras for police vehicles but body cameras, so far, have not been used (with a few exceptions). Now, things are changing. Because of recent public outcry against police actions in Ferguson and New York (among other places), police departments around the country are warming up to the idea of using body cameras. In fact, the Detroit Police Department is already putting them to use. Detroit Police Commissioner James Craig announced on January 6th that his department will conduct a second trial-run of body cameras for its officers. Having already conducted a 30-day trial involving 18 police officers, Craig claims that the body cameras are a success and will aid police officers in verifying their actions. The second trial already has the support of Craig and Detroit’s mayor, Mike Duggan, and is expected to involve at least 30 officers. Detroit, which has the highest murder rate of any city in the U.S., has been going through drastic financial constraints ever since the near-collapse and eventual bailout of Detroit-based auto industries such as Ford and General Motors. Detroit was forced to declare bankruptcy and as a result was compelled to cut considerable government programs and services, including the police department and ambulance services. Detroit’s financial situation was so dire that last year, Craig suggested that Detroit citizens arm themselves in order to compensate for the city’s limited reduced presence. In a city where one out of 20 homes are likely to be robbed, his suggestion garnered considerable controversy but, in a dismal way, was also somewhat reasonable. Detroit’s use of body cameras will hopefully be a successful alternative to Craig’s suggestion of self-armament. Law enforcement already have great success with the in-car cop camera, which enables police officers to show the public their procedures, and increases public confidence in local police.

The recent events in Ferguson, MO and New York City have put an emphasis on police departments around the country to improve their procedures, including their procedures for internal regulation and investigation. There have been many suggestions put forth by police officials and citizens alike, but one suggestion in particular is gaining some traction: body cameras.

Body cameras, which, as the name suggests, are cameras attached to a police officer’s person, are being put forth as a possible solution to the increasingly contentious issues of police brutality and public transparency. Police departments already use cameras for police vehicles but body cameras, so far, have not been used (with a few exceptions).

Now, things are changing. Because of recent public outcry against police actions in Ferguson and New York (among other places), police departments around the country are warming up to the idea of using body cameras. In fact, the Detroit Police Department is already putting them to use.

Detroit Police Commissioner James Craig announced on January 6th that his department will conduct a second trial-run of body cameras for its officers. Having already conducted a 30-day trial involving 18 police officers, Craig claims that the body cameras are a success and will aid police officers in verifying their actions.

The second trial already has the support of Craig and Detroit’s mayor, Mike Duggan, and is expected to involve at least 30 officers. Detroit, which has the highest murder rate of any city in the U.S., has been going through drastic financial constraints ever since the near-collapse and eventual bailout of Detroit-based auto industries such as Ford and General Motors. Detroit was forced to declare bankruptcy and as a result was compelled to cut considerable government programs and services, including the police department and ambulance services.

Detroit’s financial situation was so dire that last year, Craig suggested that Detroit citizens arm themselves in order to compensate for the city’s limited reduced presence. In a city where one out of 20 homes are likely to be robbed, his suggestion garnered considerable controversy but, in a dismal way, was also somewhat reasonable.

Detroit’s use of body cameras will hopefully be a successful alternative to Craig’s suggestion of self-armament. Law enforcement already have great success with the in-car cop camera, which enables police officers to show the public their procedures, and increases public confidence in local police.

January 13, 2015

Detroit Police Reports Reveal Fewer Violent Crimes in 2014, but Problems Persist


According to data from the Detroit Police, the number of violent crimes in that city fell significantly in 2014. Most notably, homicides are likely at their lowest since 1967. In 2014, there were 300 murders in Detroit; that represents the lowest number since 2010, when there were 308. Before that, Detroit saw 281 homicides in 1967, which was the year of the summer riots. However, the homicide rate was far lower based on the city’s 1.5 million residents; today, the population has decreased by more than half to about 688,000 residents. The homicide rate per 100,000 residents has declined in recent years, however, from 55 per 100,000 residents in 2012 and 47.5 in 2013 to a rate of 42.9 in 2014. Robberies also saw a significant decrease since 2013, dropping from 2,836 to 1,879 as of Dec. 22, when the crime statistics were released. Many of these robberies involve credit card thefts, with Visa cards, which account for 52% of all payment volume worldwide, likely representing the top card stolen. Carjackings fell from 765 to 525 in the past year, representing a 32% decline as a subset of the robbery category. Yet despite the sharp declines in many types of violent crime, Detroit is still one of the most violent cities in the United States, according to FBI statistics from November. One recent case highlights the problems that Detroit residents face on a daily basis as police and U.S. Marshals search for a “person of interest” in a death now being ruled as a homicide. Eighty-one-year-old Casey Wybenga, a restaurant owner who helps feed the needy in the Heartside district, was found dead at an America’s Best Inn motel in Walker on Tuesday, Dec. 30. The death was ruled natural at first, then suspicious after evidence arose that placed Matthew Brunn, 29, at the scene. According to family members, Brunn, a parole absconder, was spotted driving Wybenga’s Ford station wagon/SUV the day before Wybenga’s body was discovered. Wybenga’s credit card had also been used after his death. Brunn has had a history of criminal behavior, such as armed robbery and vehicle theft, since 2004. Police are currently seeking tips as to his whereabouts.

According to data from the Detroit Police, the number of violent crimes in that city fell significantly in 2014.

Most notably, homicides are likely at their lowest since 1967. In 2014, there were 300 murders in Detroit; that represents the lowest number since 2010, when there were 308.

Before that, Detroit saw 281 homicides in 1967, which was the year of the summer riots. However, the homicide rate was far lower based on the city’s 1.5 million residents; today, the population has decreased by more than half to about 688,000 residents.

The homicide rate per 100,000 residents has declined in recent years, however, from 55 per 100,000 residents in 2012 and 47.5 in 2013 to a rate of 42.9 in 2014.

Robberies also saw a significant decrease since 2013, dropping from 2,836 to 1,879 as of Dec. 22, when the crime statistics were released. Many of these robberies involve credit card thefts, with Visa cards, which account for 52% of all payment volume worldwide, likely representing the top card stolen.

Carjackings fell from 765 to 525 in the past year, representing a 32% decline as a subset of the robbery category.

Yet despite the sharp declines in many types of violent crime, Detroit is still one of the most violent cities in the United States, according to FBI statistics from November.

One recent case highlights the problems that Detroit residents face on a daily basis as police and U.S. Marshals search for a “person of interest” in a death now being ruled as a homicide.

Eighty-one-year-old Casey Wybenga, a restaurant owner who helps feed the needy in the Heartside district, was found dead at an America’s Best Inn motel in Walker on Tuesday, Dec. 30. The death was ruled natural at first, then suspicious after evidence arose that placed Matthew Brunn, 29, at the scene.

According to family members, Brunn, a parole absconder, was spotted driving Wybenga’s Ford station wagon/SUV the day before Wybenga’s body was discovered. Wybenga’s credit card had also been used after his death.

Brunn has had a history of criminal behavior, such as armed robbery and vehicle theft, since 2004. Police are currently seeking tips as to his whereabouts.

January 5, 2015