Detroit Looks To Take 'Big Apple' Bite Out Of Crime

DETROIT (WWJ) - As violent crimes escalate, Detroit police hope what worked for New York City to cut crime would also work in the Motor City.

WWJ's Stephanie Davis reports officials have rolled out a new pilot program.

Detroit police are partnering with the Manhattan Institute to implement a community policing program in the upscale Grandmont Rosedale neighborhoods on the cities west-side.

The program is specifically targeting home invasions.

"The goal is not to have more arrests or have more tickets issued, but instead to have better quality and a larger quantity of citizen to police interaction - this means more traffic stops, more enforcement of littering and loitering ordinances," said Michael Allegretti, Director of the Manhattan Institute.

Allegretti said the 90 day program comes at no cost to the city.

Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee standing with residents in front of an empty home in the Grandmont area announced the new community police venture.

"After this 90-day pilot, we will have an assessment, and how we will roll this out city-wide, because different communities have different needs," said Godbee.

Jim Johnson stays in north Rosedale park and he's hopeful but also cautious about the implementation of the program; "It's like anything, the devil will be in the details, the devil will be in the implementation, but I support it totally."