Detroit on track for fewest homicides in more than 50 years, officials say
Officials attribute the reduction to a partnership between the court system and city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Detroit Police Chief James White speaks at a press conference discussing summer policing strategies for the city on May 24, 2023.
Detroit and Wayne County officials this week reported an 18% reduction in the number of homicides in the city this year compared to the same time period last year — potentially setting a new annual low for the number of homicides in a half-century.
In 2018, Detroit had 261 homicides, the fewest number since 1966. Through Nov. 30, 2023, Detroit has experienced only 228 homicides, putting the city on track to finish the year well below the 2018 record low.
Officials attribute the reduction to a partnership between the court system and city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says the joint effort addressed a backlog of more than 4,000 gun violence cases that developed when the pandemic forced courts to close, and some cops to stay home.
Duggan says judges had no choice at the time but to release potentially-violent offenders awaiting trial on electronic tethers.
“We had a shooting at a party at 2:30 in the morning on a Saturday night. Twenty-two people, pre-trial felons on tether, were within 100 feet of the shooting. I mean there was no criminal justice system functioning,” said Duggan.
The city reported that non-fatal shootings and carjackings this year were also down 13% and 36%, respectively, compared to the same time period last year.
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