Detroit Evening Report: New Era Detroit launching public safety app to help reduce crime

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, city officials and community members are celebrating the New Era Community Partnership to create a crime intervention app.

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Bridge Detroit reports the city is using a $10 million grant to invest in six grassroots neighborhood organizations to reduce gun violence.

New Era Community Connection received $700,000 of federal funds to help demonstrate a non-government way to deal with shootings in the city.

“I’ve been in this battle along with my team for nine years and the hardest part of organizing is finding funds,” New Era founder Zeek Williams said at a press conference last Friday. “We appreciate the city’s support and I think it’s going to put us in a good situation to be more effective.”

Organizations may get additional funding if they can reduce crime over the next two years. People can report things such as missing persons, shootings and seek help before things escalate to violent crimes.

The app supplements — but does not replace — 911 calls.

The app will be used for residents living within a 4-mile radius between Curtis, Schoolcraft, Wyoming and Hubbell St.

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