Tagged: Detroit crime

Detroit and Wayne County officials say they feel like Michigan State Police have “stabbed them in the back."

That’s because State Police have backed off a plan to put a full-service crime lab in a former casino the city plans to turn into its new police headquarters.

But the state later decided that wasn’t the best use of money. They say Detroit Police need more help handling and submitting evidence.

New FBI crime figures show Detroit’s violent crime rate dropped significantly in the first half of this year.

FBI statistics show violent crimes in Detroit fell by about 8-percent from the first half of 2009.

The biggest reduction was in homicides (28%), which fell from 202 to 146. Robberies were also down about 9%.

The city did see jumps in rapes and arsons.

Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee attributes the crime drop to a "data-based approach” to police deployment, and building partnerships with the community.