In a move that surprised the heck out of the typical lawless Detroiter used to Belle Isle as an unsafe, law-free zone, the Michigan State Police and the DNR are actually - gasp - enforcing the law on the islands.
Those really hard to understand laws like obeying posted speed limits.
These usual suspects aren't happy about it.
The Detroit Free Press: Groups plan Belle Isle rally tonight to protest 'aggressive treatment of citizens'
Groups are planning a rally tonight on Belle Isle in response to concerns raised by Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones and City Clerk Janice Winfrey about police enforcement on the island park since the state took over management there in February.Ron Scott, a spokesman for the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality, said in a news release that groups including Bike Riders United, Grown Men on Bikes, the National Lawyers Guild and unnamed state and local officials will be on hand during the rally set for 6 p.m. at the park’s Giant Slide.
I guess they chose the spot to reinforce their demand that police should let lawless behavior slide.
Even Detroit City Councillors, who should be leading by example and encouraging the ne'er do wells of Detroit to follow the law and improve the reputation of the city and its residents, are getting in on the fun for some publicity and to play to their lawless base.
[Detroit City Council President] Jones had called the state’s enforcement efforts on the island “a disgrace,” and [Detroit City Clerk] Winfrey complained about what she considered to be insulting treatment while being stopped for doing 35 m.p.h. in a 25 m.p.h. zone on Good Friday, according to previous Free Press reports.
A Quick tip: Don't be speeding 10 mph over in a park.
Further quick tip: Michigan State Police and DNR are actually enforcing the law and they're getting results:
The DNR reported on Tuesday that fewer than 200 people were arrested on Belle Isle from Feb. 1 to March 31. A biweekly field report in late March showed arrests were made for outstanding warrants, marijuana possession, a concealed weapon and open intoxicants. Others have been cited for violating park closing times, driving through stop signs or having dogs with no leash.The agency reported about 80 tickets for breaking traffic and park rules through April 27 and about 360 verbal warnings in that time.
Don't like it, don't go to Belle Isle, which will result in the park being much nicer for the law-abiding and decent folk that would visit.
That the criminals and their supporters are complaining that Belle Isle is no longer a preserve for them is one thing, for City Councillors and other public officials to do so is pathetic.
3 comments:
Winfrey didn't even get a ticket, and most people who have been stopped for traffic offenses have been giving warnings instead of citations, so it appears that the police are actually showing a lot of discretion and taking it easy. The ones who felt the bite of enforcement action were the ones who were drunk, possessing drugs, driving on suspended licenses (a favorite urban pastime in Detroit) or people who had warrants and illegal weapons. In short, only the truly deserving got tagged, but that's still too much for the Usual Suspects, who apparently have a vested interest in keeping Detroit ghetto.
Pandering to their voters maybe??? :-(
ML: That they do, can't have community organizers without a community that permanently requires organizing.
OldNFO: Yep, the clowns on the council need to keep their names in the news and their base whipped up and ready for the next election.
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