Mayor Duggan and city leaders announcing new businesses joining Project Green Light, May 23.

Detroit is a city for the future. Despite the remaining challenges, there is a financial and political willpower to turn the city around. Arab American business owners have no choice than to adapt and contribute to this turnaround or be left out of Detroit’s resurgence.

Mayor Mike Duggan has described the rates of violent crime in Detroit as unacceptable and intolerable.

Safety remains a stumbling block in the way of the city’s recovery.

The shootings, robberies and carjackings in Detroit are also a personal burden on many families in the Arab American community; Arab American gas station and liquor store clerks have been the victims of violence and murder in the city.

The security risk has not stopped hardworking Arab Americans from staying in Detroit to provide an honorable income for their families and much needed services and commodities for the community.

A new city program has proven effective in improving the safety of both businesses and neighborhoods.

Project Green Light, the crime-fighting initiative streaming live footage to the police from businesses that stay open late, ensures the safety of customers at the pump as well as the employees behind the counter.

When police are watching in real time what is unfolding at shops, criminals will be deterred. Those who do commit crimes can be easily identified and arrested.

The initiative works. It has cut violent crime by half at the eight original participating gas stations.

It also contributes to the safety and well being of the shops’ surroundings. The cameras can capture license plates of cars on the street or suspects who may stop at the gas station before or after committing a crime.

At a meeting with Police Chief James Craig in 2014, gas station owners protested the lack of officers’ actions to quell loitering. They complained that drug dealers and youth who are up to no good hang around their places of business, harass customers and leave before the cops arrive, if they are called.

Project Green Light practically eradicates
loitering; Several business owners who joined the project have attested to its efficiency in that regard. What’s more, drug dealers will think twice before selling illegal substance under the constant scrutiny of the police.

As it is the case with all the good things in life, becoming a Green Light business is not free.

Installing proper lighting and HD cameras could cost more than $6,000. The cost is to be covered solely by the business.

City officials have argued that the expenses will be offset by additional revenues in a short period of time.

A safer atmosphere will also attract more customers to Green Light stores.

Money aside, saving a human life is priceless.

Clients of late-night businesses are vulnerable, especially when filling their gas tanks. Those customers are the store owners’ sources of income. The least the business owners can do is help keep their customers safe. Joining the initiative would also ensure the security of the stores and employees.

It is an ethical economic and social investment.

The Arab American News has been encouraging business owners in Detroit to give back to the neighborhoods from which they profit. Becoming a Green Light business is a step in that direction.

On the other hand, the city should work with private lenders to secure loans for businesses that want to join Project Green Light but may not have the financial assets to pay the money upfront.

The City Council can also approve tax incentives for participating businesses.

The mayor’s office should also look into reducing fees for licensing, which are higher than in neighboring municipalities.

Arab American business owners take pride in not abandoning Detroit after big corporate stores left. They should do all they can to maintain their presence in the city as it reclaims its glory.

In the early days of the Duggan administration, there were numerous complaints about excessive ticketing and police harassment. Business owners felt as if they were being driven out of the city. Those problems have been addressed via dialogue to start an era of cooperation and communication (despite some issues).

The mended relationship is already proving fruitful.

Project Green Light is a private-public partnership that could define the future of urban policing nationally. Small business owners in Detroit should not miss out on this opportunity.

To join Project Green Light, business owners can call 313-224-3703 or email greenlightdetroit@detroitmi.gov.