Detroit Police Chief Targeting C-Stores to Clean Up Their Businesses

Police Chief James Craig wants to create a “model businesses” program for gas stations and convenience stores in an effort to reduce crime.

October 08, 2013

DETROIT – In an effort to reduce crime, Detroit Police Chief James Craig is pressuring gas stations and convenience store owners to clean up their stores and eliminate loitering, Press & Guide reports.

Craig, who assumed the city’s top spot July 1 after a stint as Cincinnati’s top cop, said he was appalled when he came back to the city where he once was an officer (1977 to 1980).

“When I drive through Detroit now, I pass many gas stations, many liquor and party stores,” he said. “I see loitering, I see an uninviting location and I see a filthy location.”

Craig’s plan is to create a “model businesses” program that would distribute window stickers form the Police Department to those stores that qualify. He said that neighborhood police officers would check on businesses and issue tickets when needed.

“We must change what the environments are in and around gas stations. We must change the environments in and around party stores,” he said.

“A clean environment is a safe environment. If it’s dirty, it’ll attract a criminal element. You can say, ‘What’s the threat?’ It’s a big point.”

One business owner told Craig that he calls police every day. He said that if customers don’t get what they want, like loose cigarettes, they trash his business. Another said he called police about a drug deal at his store, and after police arrested the dealer, he was out of jail and back at the store hours later, demanding $1,000 to compensate him for the drugs that police confiscated. He, too, trashed the man’s store.

Craig urged store owners to know when to call 911 and when to call nonemergency numbers.

“If you call about loitering, that’s not an emergency call,” he said. “That’s certainly not going to fit into a priority.”

Craig said his staff is comparing statistics in high-crime areas to where gas stations and party stores are, and sending more officers to help. He said the department also is working with schools to reduce truancy.

“If I wasn’t concerned, I wouldn’t be here,” Craig said. “I’m serious about it. I’m passionate about it.

“You have to meet us halfway. It’s a two-way street. ... If we work together, we’ll have a safer environment. We all win.”

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