Sunday, November 24, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Safety And Security Update
Safety and Security Update
Local Bike Shops:
The Hub of Detroit
3611 Cass
(313) 833-0813
http://thehubofdetroit.org/
G&R Bike Shop
21706 Grand River
(313) 531-1146
Downtown Detroit Bike Shop
1420 Fisher Fwy
(248) 238-4604
http://downtown-bikeshop.com/locations.html
Wheelhouse Detroit
1340 Atwater St
Overall
crime levels are down, but there have been a couple of crime trends
that residents need to be aware of. First, we want Detroiters to pay
attention to who is towing their cars. It has been reported that
criminals have been using legitimate looking tow- trucks to steal
vehicles. All tow-trucks should have a visible United States Department
of Transportation Number (DOT). Generally, a company must wait 48 hours
before towing a car. If you see a truck without a DOT number or if you
think a car is being towed illegally inform your local police
immediately and contact us- amusprogram@gmail.com.
Please provide any information that would help police (truck
description, license plate number, phone number on truck, DOT number,
ect.).
Bicycling is a convenient way to travel quickly. Biking’s obvious appeal makes bike theft a problem in any urban environment. There has been an upswing in bike thefts in Detroit, especially around the Midtown area in recent months. Online Detroit Transit Magazine, Mode Shift, recently published an article on the trend (http://wearemodeshift.org/bike-theft-common-wayne-states-campus).
A bike with an inadequate lock is much more likely to be stolen. Cable locks can be cut through very easily. Thieves tend to steal the easiest target. U-locks are a much better choice, offering superior security- they cannot be easily cut. The Wayne State Police Department (6050 Cass Avenue) sells discounted U-locks for $10 to those with Wayne State One cards. U-Locks typically cost around $30 and are available at all local bike shops.
Bicycling is a convenient way to travel quickly. Biking’s obvious appeal makes bike theft a problem in any urban environment. There has been an upswing in bike thefts in Detroit, especially around the Midtown area in recent months. Online Detroit Transit Magazine, Mode Shift, recently published an article on the trend (http://wearemodeshift.org/bike-theft-common-wayne-states-campus).
A bike with an inadequate lock is much more likely to be stolen. Cable locks can be cut through very easily. Thieves tend to steal the easiest target. U-locks are a much better choice, offering superior security- they cannot be easily cut. The Wayne State Police Department (6050 Cass Avenue) sells discounted U-locks for $10 to those with Wayne State One cards. U-Locks typically cost around $30 and are available at all local bike shops.
Local Bike Shops:
The Hub of Detroit
3611 Cass
(313) 833-0813
http://thehubofdetroit.org/
G&R Bike Shop
21706 Grand River
(313) 531-1146
Downtown Detroit Bike Shop
1420 Fisher Fwy
(248) 238-4604
http://downtown-bikeshop.com/locations.html
Wheelhouse Detroit
1340 Atwater St
http://www.wheelhousedetroit.com/ Remember, the DPD and WSUPD are here to help. Please report any suspicious activity. Their non-emergency numbers are: DPD (313) 267-4600 WSUPD (313) 577-2222 |
Friday, July 19, 2013
Proudly Introducing the 15th Street Block Club
The
AmeriCorps Urban Safety Project works to empower neighborhood groups to
create real change in their own neighborhood and the 15th Street Block
Club is an model group that AMUS has been working with over the Summer.
AMUS would like to spotlight the hard work and dedication of this block club and it’s founder, Albert Crockett. They are
a wonderful group of proactive Detroiters who have been holding
neighborhood events and block club meetings since February of 2011. Crockett
started the club after several of his neighbors, including himself,
experienced home invasions. The former grocery store owner wanted to
encourage his friends and neighbors to report break-ins and other crimes
in order to increase safety in the neighborhood. His motto became, “If
you see something, say something.” Today Crockett, along with ten other
regular members, aim to increase safety not only by reporting crime,
but also by cleaning up their neighborhood. For the past two years they
have participated in The Motor City Makeover, an annual event where
volunteers and community members step up to beautify Detroit. In
August, they will partner with ARISE! Detroit to help local children get
their annual vaccinations and provide them with backpacks for the
upcoming school year. Mr. Crockett said the residents of 15th
Street could not be more thankful for the assistance AMUS has given
them by helping to secure vacant houses, communicating with the local
police, and attending meetings. The program is proud to be considered
an asset to a group whose aspirations align so perfectly with our own.
They are truly inspiring and serve as an example to other neighborhood groups around them.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Summer Service Kickoff in Virginia Park
On June 15 2013, The
AmeriCorps Urban Safety Project, in partnership with the Henry Ford HealthSystems, Happy’s Pizza, Wayne County CLEAN Program and the Virginia Park Block
Club, kicked off the summer service series on Virginia Park Street. Together, volunteers
and service members not only boarded up four houses located on Virginia Park,
but also increased public safety in the
neighborhood by clearing a field adjacent to a children’s bus stop, and
replacing boards on a previously secured home.
One house was particularly dangerous. It was burnt out and being used as
a dumping site. It was evident that others were being entered, and that one was
probably used in order to make, sell and/or illicit illegal drugs. It is
a major goal of AmUS’ to assist in preventing crimes like that, and help make
Detroiters safer in their homes. We are proud to say that the event went
incredibly well!
Fifteen AmeriCorps service members were joined by over 25
community volunteers at the 9 AM for the official start of the event. We used
over 50 boards to successfully secure every opening on each of the four houses
by the end of the day. A group of neighborhood children even joined in the fun
by painting boards. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a lifelong appreciation
of and participation in community service for them.
As always, we want to thank everybody who participated. The
beautiful weather made it easier for our Summer Series Kick Off to happen
seamlessly. However, it was our sponsors who made it possible and the
involvement of the community that made this project so rewarding and important.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Explanation of CompStat
In previous posts, we've mentioned our use of CompStat. We thought it would be a good idea to explain to our readers exactly what CompStat is, and why it is a significant part of our work.
The AmeriCorps Urban Safety Project is a part of the Wayne State University Center for Urban Studies’ Urban Safety Initiative. This initiative uses crime data provided by Wayne State University and Detroit Police Departments to highlight crime trends in the area. This information is used as part of the COMPSTAT (computer statistic) process by which the police use data to locate crime hotspots. Interventions are then employed in those hotspot areas that include follow ups on the efforts to ensure policing effectiveness.
Along with input from community residents and the police, the AMUS Project uses the Urban Safety Initiative crime data to target crime prevention strategies within neighborhoods and to track the progress of those efforts. Additionally, crime and safety concerns voiced by residents are passed along by AMUS members to the police (with the permission of the residents) in order to assist the police in their work. Together, we are helping each other make our neighborhoods safer.
We will periodically post crime heat maps like the one below.
The AmeriCorps Urban Safety Project is a part of the Wayne State University Center for Urban Studies’ Urban Safety Initiative. This initiative uses crime data provided by Wayne State University and Detroit Police Departments to highlight crime trends in the area. This information is used as part of the COMPSTAT (computer statistic) process by which the police use data to locate crime hotspots. Interventions are then employed in those hotspot areas that include follow ups on the efforts to ensure policing effectiveness.
Along with input from community residents and the police, the AMUS Project uses the Urban Safety Initiative crime data to target crime prevention strategies within neighborhoods and to track the progress of those efforts. Additionally, crime and safety concerns voiced by residents are passed along by AMUS members to the police (with the permission of the residents) in order to assist the police in their work. Together, we are helping each other make our neighborhoods safer.
We will periodically post crime heat maps like the one below.
An Upcoming Service Opportunity in Virginia Park
Community Board-up 06/28/13 9 A.M.
6070 15th St.
This is an event where you can make real impact. The 2 homes that will be boarded up have been involved in some serious public safety concerns in the neighborhood. Volunteers and residents will be meeting at 9 am on June 28th at 6070 15th St. to board up 2 vacant and open homes. If you would like to get involved or want more info please contact AMUS member Kaye Sutherland at kaye.amus@gmail.com or (313) 649-7707.
6070 15th St.
This is an event where you can make real impact. The 2 homes that will be boarded up have been involved in some serious public safety concerns in the neighborhood. Volunteers and residents will be meeting at 9 am on June 28th at 6070 15th St. to board up 2 vacant and open homes. If you would like to get involved or want more info please contact AMUS member Kaye Sutherland at kaye.amus@gmail.com or (313) 649-7707.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Singnature Service Project and Moter City Makeover
Last weekend was another magnificent and mentionable one for
the AmUS Project. On May 16, all thirty-three of us traveled to Lansing MI to
participate in the Russ Mawby Signature Service Project. Over the next two
days, in collaboration with MCSC Lansing Community Schools, Habitat for Humanity,
Thinkbox Creative and other nonprofits in the greater Lansing Area, we joined
over 300 AmeriCorps members from all over Michigan in an effort to illustrate
the difference that willing hands and hearts can make for one community.
Some of us planted trees. Others built flower-beds that
would allow patrons with disabilities to enjoy their community’s garden. We
even painted murals and built benches that will be part of Lansing’s make-up
forever. This was not only a way to help out those in need, but also a great
bonding experience for our team and a wonderful way to network with other
AmeriCorps Members. Many of us left amazed by the number of compassionate,
dedicated, diligent people they met, and two days of hard work definitely left
made us appreciate those qualities in each other.
Check out a slide show from our time spent
there:
On Sunday, May 18, members joined in the efforts of the
Motor City Makeover and assisted in three different neighborhood clean-ups. Six
members and forty volunteers did a wonderful job beautifying Young Manor. Four members
and fifteen volunteers worked together to clean twelve lots, and worked in
community gardens on Detroit’s North end.
Events like are a perfect example of how community togetherness gets
things done, and make us proud to be part of this project.
Here are a few pictures from the 18th:
Labels:
AMUS,
Community Service,
Detroit,
Pictures,
Video
Location:
Detroit, MI, USA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)