Blue Coffee Anyone? Chat Session Lets Residents Air Concerns

DETROIT (WWJ) - It was a meet and greet Monday in Detroit for residents and the police officers charged with keeping them safe.

Willie May Gascon of Detroit came to coffee with cops to voice her concern about the trash at the Cadillac and I-94 freeway overpass:

"We have these whiskey bottles just lined up ... by several people, why they there? A hundred whiskey bottles lined up across the freeway," she said.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Gascon's concern is a quality of life issue and should be addressed at the precinct closest to her.

"It's very important, because sometimes the little things that really errode the appearance of a neighborhood - it sends a message that illegal activity is occurring," Craig said.

WWJ's Laura Bonnell was there and spoke with Detroit resident Ronny Spears who said she's concerned about crime and drug use in his neighborhood.

"How do we get Michigan State Police to collaborate with Detroit police in the Linwood area, which is actually a high crime, but it's always overlooked," said Spears.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said he will investigate and get Spears connected with his neighborhood precinct.

Residents had an opportunity to meet for "Coffee with a Cop," which included the police chief and other representatives of the Detroit police and state troopers at the Big Boy restaurant on Jefferson just across from the entrance to Belle Isle.