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CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Detroit City Council mulls over increasing fines for parents whose children break curfew
On Monday, Detroiters had the chance to speak directly with city officials about a proposed amendment to the city's parental responsibility laws that would increase fines against parents whose children are out past curfew. "It's empowering parents to be able to have all the tools available to them, to be able to look out and watch out for their children," said Coleman A. Young II, city councilmember. Currently, if a parent violates the law, the fines are a minimum of $75 for the first offense and $100 for a second. If approved by the Detroit City Council, it would be raised to a minimum of $250 for a first offense and $500 for a second offense, which is the maximum amount allowed under state law. "I need the fines to be increased so that I can have leverage when it comes to parents," said Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison. Data from Detroit police shows the city issued 122 curfew violations between July 8 and July 20, writing 68 parental responsibility tickets. Graham Anderson with the city's law department says the amendment is decades overdue. "We are not trying to criminalize overworked parents who the kid sneaks out of the house; that's not the purpose here," said Anderson. Community members spoke out passionately on both sides of the argument, pushing for council accountability and more solutions. "Some folks have mentioned that rights are being violated, but don't we have a right to a safe environment?" said one concerned resident. "I believe this is just like ICE. They're going to target the kids at the schools with the curfew; they're going to come after the parents," added another resident at Monday's council meeting. "Detroit has a real problem with youth-to-youth crime, and they need to find a way," said a resident. "This isn't going to end the issue, but it's going to at least help." After more than an hour of discussion, the amendment was moved to Tuesday's meeting as new business, with Bettison also requesting a waiver that would allow for an immediate full council vote.
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
6-year-old boy killed after being hit by stray bullet in home on Detroit's east side
Detroit police are seeking those involved in a shooting incident after a stray bullet struck a home and fatally wounded a child who was inside. The department is treating the case as a homicide investigation. "Unfortunately, when shots are fired in a residential neighborhood, you don't know where it's going to end," Police Chief Todd Bettison said during a news conference Sunday night from the neighborhood. The shooting happened about 9 p.m. in the area of Anglin Street near Stender Avenue. This happens to be a ShotSpotter area, a gunshot detection system that can alert police to the sound of gunfire. Because of that technology, Bettison said, officers were already en route to investigate the situation when a 911 call was placed regarding the bullet strike to the child. Officers were at the home in about 30 seconds, he said. Officers found shell casings in the area and a lead on a possible vehicle description. It is possible, Bettison said, that other people were injured as a result of the Sunday night shooting. He asked the community to be on the lookout for anyone who appears to have unexplained gunshot wounds and send in any tips they may have on the incident. "Citizens of Detroit do not tolerate this, especially when it comes to babies, young people being shot. So I'm pretty sure the tips will start to flow immediately," Bettison said. Police said a red-colored Jeep may be one of the vehicles involved in the shooting. A $5,000 reward has been posted for information that "moves the investigation forward," a report said. Additional details are at the website.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Data shows crime in Detroit is trending down; police chief talks future plans for city
As summer continues to heat up, the Detroit Police Department is reporting a continuing drop in violent crime citywide, hitting historic lows over the last year. "We believe in no neighborhood left behind; we're going to continue to place resources," said Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison. Bettison cites the double-digit drops in homicides, sexual assaults, carjackings and non-fatal shootings as progress. Still, Bettison says he understands how the recent string of deadly shootings may feel like enough hasn't been done. "That just shocks the conscious, and so regardless of statistics, with it being down, it just doesn't feel down," said Bettison. Frank Blackman owns Pequeño Cantina on Detroit's Avenue of Fashion. Blackman says the downtown business sees significant foot traffic every day, so safety is a top priority. "We have witnessed a little crime, but I think the city has been proactive and kind of eliminating some of the things, like crime scenes, shootings, burglaries and stuff like that," said Blackman. When CBS News Detroit shared the numbers with Blackman, he pushed the city to reach out to other entrepreneurs for feedback. "Businesses and neighborhoods are part of the community, right? Once the community have a place where they can say they feel safe, you know, people spend more money," said Blackman. In a conversation with Bettison, CBS News Detroit pushed further, asking for tangible resources residents can look to for results. Bettison says the department's focus on technology, including ShotSpotter, license plate readers and cameras, will continue their work. Another potential addition: the use of drones. "That's going to be the next big thing that's going to help us continue on and take it to the next level," said Bettison. Moving forward, Bettison says the partnership between his team and community violence prevention groups is critical in maintaining the city's progress. "It's a multi-layered approach, and we're going to make sure that we address the root causes of that in a holistic way," said Bettison.
CBS News
07-07-2025
- CBS News
Detroit police, mayor present summer teen violence prevention plan
In response to a series of violent incidents in the city this summer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Police Chief Todd A. Bettison are introducing a summer safety teen violence prevention plan. The discussion includes a plan to address juvenile curfew violations in response to a trend in youth-involved incidents this summer. The City of Detroit launched its "Regulation of Minors in Public Places and Adult Responsibility for Violations," also known as the curfew law, during the mid-1980s. The press conference is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. How to watch City of Detroit press conference What: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit Police Chief Todd A. Bettison talking about teen violence prevention efforts. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit Police Chief Todd A. Bettison talking about teen violence prevention efforts. Date: Monday July 7, 2025 Monday July 7, 2025 Time: 1 p.m. ET 1 p.m. ET Online stream: Live on the player above and on your mobile or streaming device During one such incident, three people were shot at Skinner Playfield, leaving two dead: an 18-year-old who has not been named and 4-year-old Samir Grubbs. Later, authorities arrested two teens in connection. Days before the park shooting, a 17-year-old was shot during the Ford Fireworks show. And in yet another incident, a teen was shot in the head on the city's east side. "You're going to see a whole lot of this police chief this summer. You're going to see me riding buses. You're going to see me not only walking a mile, but you're going to see me everywhere. Because I believe in being boots on the ground and we're going to make a difference, and you make a difference by being present," Bettison said last week.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
2-year-old boy hit by stray bullet Saturday night while watching fireworks
A two-year-old boy watching fireworks was shot by a stray bullet following a clash among juveniles in an eastside Detroit park on Saturday night, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison told members of the media in a livestreamed press conference. The toddler sustained minimal injuries and will survive, Bettison said. He said that during "some type of altercation" among juveniles a block away at a park July 5, shots were fired and struck the toddler. Saying he was "appalled" and "upset" by the incident, Bettison pledged to step up its enforcement of the city's curfew. The curfew prohibits children aged 15 and under to be out without an adult between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and prohibits teens ages 16 and 17 to be out unsupervised from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. More: 2 suspects charged in fatal shooting at Detroit's Skinner Playfield "Just the fact that we have a lot of unsupervised juveniles at a park, and understand that it's the holiday weekend, understand that folks are watching fireworks, but at the same time parents still have the responsibility to know where their children are and that they are supervised," he said. Bettison said the department has detained two persons of interests in the incident, though details were still preliminary at the time of the news conference. Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Boy, 2, hit by stray bullet Saturday night while watching fireworks
