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Detroit Police cracks down on violent crime with "Safe Neighborhood Initiative"

Public Domain

The federal government is helping Detroit Police crack down on violent crime.

During the ‘Safe Neighborhood Initiative’ if a felon is caught with a gun inside one of several target zones, it’ll now be tried as a federal crime.

In a partnership announced today, U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison says the response will be highly targeted – mostly in areas in the city's 8th and 9th precincts. “This office collaborates with our local state and federal partners to use evidence based strategies to identify the drivers of violence the most violent people the most violent groups and the most violent places.”

Over the weekend an 11-year-old girl was shot and killed at her grandmother’s house in the 9th precinct. According to police statistics, so far this year, violent crime in Detroit has retreated following the highs of the previous two years.

Russ McNamara is a reporter and host of All Things Considered for 101.9 WDET, presenting local news to the station’s loyal listeners.