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Detroit police chief: Pride in city deters crime at Michigan Central Station grand opening

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Detroit police chief: Pride in city deters crime at Michigan Central Station grand opening

Michigan Central Station’s grand opening on Thursday was epic. That’s been established.

Its opening, after over 30 years of vacancy, was a historic display of pride Detroiters have for their city. And, according to Detroit Police Chief James White, it showed the impact that community pride can have on crime: There were no arrests and no significant incidents as of Saturday afternoon.

From a public safety and community policing standpoint, White said the opening was “fantastic.”

“I could not be prouder of the men and women of the Detroit Police Department,” White said. “I have to say that. I know it seems like I’m supposed to, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart.”

The historic train depot’s grand opening drew thousands who came to celebrate and watch Detroit legends perform, like Diana Ross, Jack White, Eminem and Big Sean. White said his department developed a strategy that balanced police visibility to deter crime and community engagement in a way that wouldn’t be intrusive, or make people feel “over-policed.”

Detroit police officers outside of the concert were focused on community engagement, White said. They helped direct traffic, helped people with directions and were “pleasant and positive about the city and the experience,” White said.

Inside of the concert and among the crowd were non-uniformed officers “so you didn’t feel this over-police intimidation from the police, but at the same we have that layer of security,” White said.

Preparing for the event, White said, the department had swept the area for bombs and partnered with federal law enforcement to assess any potential threats. During the event, Detroit police monitored video surveillance and had ground assistance from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and aerial assistance from Michigan State Police.

Thankfully, however, “no arrests, no incidents of note. Everyone was so proud … it was just a different vibe,” White said.

“This is a great moment for our city. This train station (had) served as a beacon of decay and what can happen to a city over time,” White continued. “But now it’s like a microcosm of what a city can be.”

White went to the grand opening and watched the performance. Among his favorite acts were Jack White — “The way he shredded that guitar … Oh my God, he was good!” — and of course, Diana Ross.

“I felt like I was amongst Detroit royalty, watching her perform,” he said.

Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442 or asahouri@freepress.com.

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