Shattered glass from one of the vehicles that was broken-into – The Arab American News

DETROIT — On Sunday night, my friend and I decided to celebrate her 25th birthday by grabbing something to eat at a favorite restaurant in Detroit’s popular Corktown neighborhood, where locals and visitors alike frequent various bars, restaurants and shops.

After a great time, we returned to our vehicles, which were parked on W. Vernor Highway at Michigan Avenue, in front of the Michigan Central Station, about 11:40 p.m. Upon entering my car, a sense of heaviness set in my stomach — and it wasn’t the burger I ate. My car had been trashed. Papers were thrown around, my glove compartment was open and my right rear window was shattered into a thousand pieces. As I frantically rummaged through the mess, I discovered that my camera, which was filled with personal and work photos, was gone. It was worth several hundred dollars and I had made sure it was hidden.

My friend and I jumped out of our cars and gazed upon the damage in shock. Her car had also been broken into.

Moments later, a couple in their late 20’s, who had been at the same restaurant, returned to their vehicles, which were parked behind ours. The window of that man’s luxury white SUV was also shattered. His date’s car was nowhere to be found.

I observed her pacing around the street — not in shock — but in devastation and pain. She told me she had just moved to Michigan and everything she owned was in her car.

We each called 911. The emergency operators transferred us to dispatchers, but it took more than five minutes before any of us was connected. The dispatchers told us to call a nearby precinct to file a police report. 

What none of us theft victims had known until then was that the Detroit Police Department does not send out officers in the event of an auto larceny or theft.

“You can get a police report number online or over the phone,” the dispatcher I spoke to said.

“How the f— am I supposed to drive to the precinct without a car?” shouted the woman whose car had been stolen to the dispatcher she spoke to.

My friend told me the dispatcher she spoke to asked her if she felt safe where she was. If she didn’t feel safe, she should walk to the nearest precinct and file a police report, as it would be “difficult” to get an officer to arrive anytime soon.

I was not asked that question.

The dispatchers also did not state where the nearest precinct was located.

I spent about an hour being transferred to different people on the phone before I was able to actually file a police report. I then took pictures of the damage with my camera phone and drove home. I still remember small pieces of glass flying into the car as I drove on the highway.

Both city officials and news reports have addressed the issue of safety in Corktown. This past March, WXYZ TV 7 reported that Detroit police met with residents and business owners to address a rash of recent car thefts, including of a government-owned Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle.

WXYZ reported that Police Captain Aric Tosqui said the city was beefing up its police force and that there has already been a “significant decrease” in larcenies in Corktown.

But a 15-year Detroit police officer, who asked to remain anonymous because officers are not authorized to speak to the press, said Detroit police does not dispatch officers in the event of a car theft or larceny. The only time they would do so is if the perpetrator is still at the scene, if the stolen items were valued at more than $100,000 or if there were any injuries or deaths.

“To be honest, if that doesn’t happen, it’s an insurance problem,” the officer said.

The police officer added that the city employs roughly 2,800 officers, each of whom are handed about six reports in an eight hour shift.

He also said that each precinct has about 15 investigators. Each one is assigned to a case. He explained that they quickly read the report and decide within one minute whether to pursue or close the case. He assured me that all four of our cases would be closed.

More police are patrolling Downtown Detroit and Corktown than the rest of the city’s neighborhoods. But the officer said their presence is only to prevent crime, not respond to it.

Although I will not be parking at the same spot, I will return to the respected restaurant. As for the three other victims, I cannot say.

Detroit has a reputation for not being safe. The Police Department’s dismissive attitude about break-ins doesn’t change that perception.

Many of Metro Detroit’s 16 million annual visitors who enjoy the vibrant and booming urban city’s finest establishments may not return if their cars are damaged or stolen.

“A trip to Detroit is a trip you won’t soon forget,” states Detroit’s tourism website. They kept that promise.