1-on-1 with Police Chief James White: Reviewing Detroit's mid-year crime data

DPD Chief James White talks progress in making city safer

FOX 2 sat with Detroit Police Chief James White for an exclusive on crime statistics and progress halfway through 2024. The numbers may be surprising, especially after a string of summer shootings in the city.

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Detroit's top cop, Chief James White, says the department's "deliberate plan" for policing the city is proving to be effective.

In an exclusive interview with FOX 2, White discussed crime statistics and progress halfway through 2024.

The data may be surprising, especially after a string of summer shootings in Detroit – including a mass shooting on July 7 that killed two people and injured 19 others on the east side.

"When you get 21 people shot in your city at an illegal street party, that's called the action for not just the police go for the entire community," White said.

The shooting appears to have been gang-related, according to DPD. One of the murdered victims was being targeted by the shooters.

While a 40-year-old man was charged in connection to the mass shooting, Detroit police are still asking the public for assistance in identifying and locating more suspects.

Several illegal block parties have gotten out of control, which led to a crackdown by Detroit police.

The department launched a Neighborhood Response Team that patrols residential areas for illegal block parties over the weekends.

In just four weeks, "well over 125 parties have been illegal parties," White said. "Illegal parties have been disrupted, multiple guns recovered. We recovered a machine gun and several handguns."

But the chief wants to be clear about the DPD's intent.

"We're not trying to stop grandma's barbecue, what we're trying to stop is illegal parties in the middle of the street that go beyond 10 p.m.," White said.

White was appointed as chief in 2021 – when homicides were up 27%, and non-fatal shootings were up 44%, from the year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, with 200 more Detroit police officers joining the force in 2023, some crime statistics are now seeing record lows, White says.

Here are the big ones as of mid-2024, according to DPD data:

Homicides are down almost 16%
Non-fatal shootings are down 20%
Carjackings are down 38%

"We are not celebrating these statistics," White said. "Yes, we are proud of them."

The police chief added that he is also proud of a recently expanded critical incident team – adding 15 additional officers to handle mental health calls to 911, with a trained mental health professional.

When White became chief, he started "Walk-A-Mile Wednesdays," where he strolls through Detroit neighborhoods each Wednesday to keep community ties tight.

But on Friday, White will also patrol the streets by bike for once.

"It's a constant work in progress to keep that relationship strong with the community," White said. "I think it's good. I want to make it even better."