Emergency Financial review

The following letter appeared in the Detroit News, December 21, 2011

DECEMBER 21, 2011 AT 1:00 AM

Letters: Detroit should accept help

Intervention is welcome

Rather than welcome the governor initiating a financial review of Detroit's finances, Mayor Bing, with the City Council standing behind him, called a news conference to exclaim that "Detroit needs to be run by Detroiters" (Dec. 2). Well, Mayor Bing, I am a Detroiter. I pay income taxes, utility taxes, and property taxes, and what do I receive in return? Street lights that don't work, buses that frequently don't run on schedule. In fact, I can't think of a single city agency or department, including the police, that provides even adequate services. Most importantly, Detroit needs to be run for Detroiters. I welcome the governor's intervention in this financial crisis.

Thomas E. Page, Detroit

Letter on privatizing Detroit services
Published, November 30, 2011
Detroit News

Detroit News

Privatize services

I applaud Mayor Bing's move to privatize the lighting department and to choose a private management company to run the Department of Transportation's bus system ("Bing likely to seek outsourcing of lighting, busing at financial crisis talk," Nov. 17). These are long-overdue, necessary steps to make Detroit an efficiently run city.

Thomas E. Page, Detroit

Letter regarding Detroit Emergency Financial Manager
Detroit Free Press, December 4, 2011

Rather than welcome the governor initiating a financial review of Detroit's finances, Mayor Dave Bing, with the City Council standing behind him, called a press conference to exclaim, "We are opposed to the governor starting this process. ... Detroit needs to be run by Detroiters."

Well, Mayor Bing, I am a Detroiter. I pay income taxes, utility taxes and property taxes. And what do I receive in return? Street lights that don't work and buses that frequently don't run on schedule. In fact, I can't think of a single city agency or department, including the police, that provides even adequate services.

Most important, Detroit needs to be run for Detroiters.

I welcome the governor's intervention in this financial crisis. The city is broke. A thorough financial review by the governor's staff is an important step in making Detroit a city that works.

Thomas E. Page

Detroit

Alec Baldwin receives "Hell is other people" designation.

This "Hell is Other People" designation goes to actor Alec Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin was ordered off an American Airlines flight that was still at the gate after he refused to turn off his tablet computer. According to reports, Baldwin took his computer into the restroom and slammed the door. This alerted the Captain to the trouble.  Mr. Baldwin blamed the incident on a flight attendant whom he said was acting like a 1950's gym teacher.

I am a frequent flyer. Probably half the time I fly,  I have to speak up and remind other passengers to turn off their phones, computers, tablets, and MP 3 players after the flight attendant announces that "The doors to the aircraft are now closed. All electronic devices with an on-off switch must now be turned off." It never ceases to amaze and disturb me that so many people believe that their "right" to play a game on their computer supersedes my right to a safe flight.  I wish the flight attendants and captains would be more aggressive in enforcing this rule. I laud American Airlines for having Mr. Baldwin removed from the flight. 

High Speed Bus Proposal

I sent the following letter to the Detroit Free Press on November 1, 2011. The letter was in response to a Matt Helms article reporting the Governor's support of high-speed bus service on major Detroit-area roadway arteries. Here's a link to the Helms article: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011111010328

Dear Editor: 
I support Governor Snyder's proposal to establish a network of high speed buses on major arteries in the Detroit area. As a start, SMART should implement affordable express bus service from Detroit's downtown/midtown hotel and event district to Metro Airport. Currently, the only bus service from downtown to the airport is SMART Route 125. And that takes an hour and 40 minutes on a bus with no luggage capacity. Even that inferior service is in jeopardy due to SMART's proposed cuts. Undoubtedly, the taxi and Metro Car lobby, and the operators of public and private parking lots will attempt to obstruct and prevent any express bus service to the airport. And that's a shame, because a vibrant and diversified transportation system isn't a luxury in today's urban environment. It's a necessity. 

Thomas E. Page

Consolidate or Privatize most City services

On October 20, 2011, I sent this letter to the Detroit Free Press


Dear Editor:

"They're shutting Detroit down," Kid Rock sings in his recording "Times Like These." Shutting Detroit down - the City government that is - is just what we need to do. The City government has time and time again shown itself to be incapable, incompetent, or unwilling to provide even the most basic municipal services. Street lights don't work. The buses don't get repaired. The roads don't get fixed. The schools are arguably the worst in the country. The Police Department annually makes excuses for the highest crime rate among big cities. Other City departments fare just as poorly. And all this in spite of burdensome taxes, including an income tax. 

It's time to accelerate the privatization and the consolidation of most of the City Departments. The City Government's role will become akin to that of a general contractor. And if the subcontractors don't provide satisfactory services, find someone else. 

Thomas E. Page

Detroit Science Center may close for good. 
Here's a link to the Detroit Free Press article on this topic, followed by my letter.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110928/NEWS01/309280018/Will-Detroit-Science-Center-close-good-

Here's my Letter to the paper on this possibility.

Dear Editor:

It would be a huge loss for our community, and the future of our City were the Detroit Science Center to close for good. In my opinion, the ideal option would be for The Henry Ford museum to purchase the Science Center, and make it a satellite of their Museum and Greenfield Village operations. The Henry Ford has the name recognition, the resources, and most importantly the expertise to successfully manage and improve the Science Center. And after all, the Ford Motor Company started in the heart of Detroit. It's appropriate that Henry Ford's namesake cultural landmark have a presence in our Cultural Center.

I would definitely become a member of The Henry Ford society were this to happen.

Response to a posting on 48201 regarding a blog alleging "racial profiling" on a September 11, 2011 (10th anniversary of 9/11): http://shebshi.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/some-real-shock-and-awe-racially-profiled-and-cuffed-in-detroit/


Rather than posting on the 48201 blog, I've decided to respond here:


Although I agree it's well-worth the read,  I probably don't have the same reaction as you did, Jeanne. To be "snarky" as the writer said, I suppose we should ask everyone who is boarding a plan, "Are you a terrorist?" If they say "no" then we'll just let them on the plane. Heck, let's ask them before going through security. If they say no, then they don't even have to be "violated" nor "humiliated" by a full body scan.  From everything I read, once the officers became satisfied that this person wasn't a terrorist she was treated politely and with respect.  Yes, someone probably "profiled" this person, not because the person appeared middle Eastern, but because the 9/11 terrorists were middle Eastern. I hope this incident gets wide-coverage in the middle Eastern community. Because it says to potential terrorists: If you look or action suspicious in any way, you'll be taken off a plane, be strip-searched, and interrogated.  That's how you stop terrorism.  And that's a good thing.


******** In a following communication I wrote...

Please understand that I wasn't angered that you posted the piece. Nor was I really angered by the piece itself. A lot of my perspective, obviously, comes from law enforcement.  When responding to a situation like the author's, the first step of law enforcement is to control the situation, which means controlling the suspects.  Only after the situation has been defused, and the investigation concluded, will the agents/officers explain everything to the individuals detained. I found the author's attitude - yes, snarky, juvenile and irritating. She'll get her 15 minutes - I'm sure the news and talk shows are calling her now. The ACLU will whine about profiling, and the real terrorists will profit from this. 

Here's a late breaking article on this specific incident! http://www.freep.com/article/20110913/NEWS05/110913069/Woman-profiled-strip-searched-9-11-FBI-says-treated-her-well?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Detroit crime: More Cops on the Street the answer?


Here's a letter I sent to the Detroit News on September 5, 2011:

Dear Editor:

The simplistic response to crime is to demand "more cops on the street."  A better response, and really not much more complex, is  to demand better policing. As a twenty-five year veteran of law enforcement, I certainly realize that the roots of criminal behavior are varied and are complex. But I also realize that efficient policing can have, and has had in many cities such as Los Angeles, major success in cutting the crime rate. Here are three initiatives that I believe the Detroit Police Department should implement to cut our City's intractably embarrassingly high crime rate.

First, allow the officers-in-charge of the individual police stations to dispatch officers directly.

In the City of Detroit, if you are requesting the police to respond to any incident or complaint, even non-emergencies, you must call 911. To illustrate, I recently called the Central District to report street-walker prostitution in my neighborhood. The answering officer told me that officers cannot be dispatched from the station, and that even though this clearly was not an emergency, I should call 911. Efficient, responsive and accountable policing would allow the officer-in-charge of the station to dispatch officers directly.  This will complement and not replace the Centralized Dispatching system.

Secondly, use non-police uniformed personnel to direct traffic during downtown events, such as sporting events and festivals. Uniformed parking enforcement personnel, wearing high visibility clothes, could be easily be trained to perform this duty. This would free up more expensive uniformed police officers to perform actual law enforcement duties.

Thirdly, make aggressive traffic enforcement a priority for all uniformed personnel. Aggressive traffic enforcement increases the visibility of the police, prevents criminal activity, and often leads to the apprehension of criminals, guns, stolen property, and other contraband. Vigorous traffic enforcement should not consist of officers hiding behind a tree waiting for someone to roll through a stop sign. Rather, it should be high visibility enforcement of not only moving violations, but equipment, registration and even pedestrian violations. 

In fact, the International Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes the role of traffic enforcement in combating crime. The IACP's Traffic Services Manual states:  "Today, police departments have become increasingly aware that alert and proactive traffic law enforcement is also an excellent tool to detect and apprehend those who have committed criminal acts, as well as to deter crimes before they happen, by “looking beyond the license plate” in every traffic stop."

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.

Thomas E. Page

Retired, Los Angeles Police Department

Former Detroit Police Officer

Lifetime Member, International Association of Chiefs of Police

City Services? What City Services?
A resident of downtown Detroit recently wrote complaining that she was unable to get an Ambulance, Fire Department, or Police response to assist an elderly person who was bloody from a fall in downtown Detroit. This occurred on a Sunday, near a Hart Plaza festival.  Here's my response to her concern.
*********

The only thing that surprises me is that you seem surprised by our inferior and often non-existent city services. Have you ever called the lighting department to try and get street lights repaired? Have you ever called public works to have streets repaired? Have you ever called your city councilperson? Oh wait, we don't a council person who represents our district! Fortunately, that will hopefully change as of this November with council-by-districts.

In defense of the police officers working Hart Plaza, "abandoning post" is a serious offense for an officer.  There are also many cases in which officers are lured away from a post by bogus emergency calls. This is a very conventional terrorist tactic. But, at the least, the officers should have radioed the emergency in.

You said the Fire Department didn't show up. Well, at a community meeting about a year ago I asked an aide to the Fire Department commissioner if it was true that Fire personnel are NOT allowed to respond to ambulance calls. He confirmed that! Why? He told me it was because of union contracts. Archaic work rules that were established when the city was wealthy are a tremendous hindrance to city services today. By the way, when I worked in LA, the Fire Department was often the first vehicle on the scene of a medical emergency. They would render first aid if needed, provide info to the responding ambulance, and often cancel the ambulance if the person was gone. Efficient indeed.

Re the Police Department, there are many good, professional, and hard working officers. I've met a number of them. In fact, I've encouraged some to transfer to the Central District (downtown, midtown). You know what some have told me? I'm paraphrasing, but the response has been, "No, the officers in Central District are too lazy. I don't want to work there." I've even been told by DPD supervisors that (again, paraphrasing), "We can't get the lazy officers' to work."  There's a reason that many midtown folks call the Wayne State Police for police assistance, even when the incident is not on campus. Heck, I'd support contracting with the WSU PD to provide ALL police services in our neighborhood.

The same ol' way of doing things in Detroit has failed. In my humble opinion, I'd like to see many more services privatized or consolidated, including the public safety functions. (Maybe RoboCop IS the future!)

Also, as Benson said, I suggest you share your concerns, in writing, with as many people as you can, including the Mayor, City Council, Police Commission, Fire Commission, Police Chief, Fire Commissioner, the Commander of Central District Police, state legislators, even our Congressional representatives, as well as the media. I don't expect any short term fixes, but unless something is put in writing, I guarantee you nothing will be done.  

Anyone who's lived in our City for a while knows that many of us recognize that we can't count on the City to provide quality services. I don't know anyone who has moved here, or continues to live here, because of the "excellent city services." That means we have to do things ourselves. I'm confident that we can come up with many creative solutions to our problems.  How 'bout first-aid trained "Ambassadors," on bicycles, on foot, on Segways? Maybe to augment the Downtown Clean partnership?  Just some thoughts.

Finally, lest someone think I'm just picking on City workers...something's wrong when the U.S. Postal Service publishes a list of post office closures, and I'm disappointed that our post office is NOT on it.  It's not just the city.

Letter to Detroit Free Press, August 14, 2011 re: Detroit Police Department


Dear editor:

There comes a time in most professions when an individual, by repeatedly demonstrating an inability to perform the task for which he or she is charged, must leave or be removed. In Major League Baseball, the ineffective player may be sent to the minor leagues. In football, the player may be released. In business, the CEO is terminated. In politics, the voters have the option to turn the person out of office.  That time is clearly past due for the Detroit Police Department, and particularly for the Chief of Police Ralph Godbee Jr. The Detroit Police Department has over and over again shown that it is incapable of effectively performing its primary task of fighting crime.

As Gina Damron reported in the August 14, 2011, Sunday Free Press ("A Day's Gunfire in Detroit"), as of Monday, August 8, 2011, there have been 215 homicides in Detroit, an increase of 32 from 2010. Contrast this disturbing and unacceptable trend to Los Angeles. The August 12, 2011 New York Times reported ("In Los Angeles: A Police Force Transformed" by Adam Nagourney) that LA's violent crime rate has declined for nine straight years. And that the number of homicides in Los Angeles will likely be under 300 for the second straight year. From this Detroiter's perspective, what is most disturbing is that Los Angeles has approximately 4 million residents, compared to Detroit's 700,000. Do the math.  Detroit's murder rate is 500% - 5 times - that of Los Angeles. What is even more remarkable about this is that Los Angeles has fewer uniformed officers per capita than Detroit!

In spite of the many hard working professional police officers in its ranks, the Detroit Police Department, by most salient metrics, has failed in its mission.  Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdon has enlisted former Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton to advise the British Police on methods to fight street crime. The City of Detroit should do the same. Promoting from within its ranks perpetuates ineffective policing.

Thomas E. Page

Crime and the Detroit Crime Lab letter. Detroit News, June 22, 2011

Hire new police chief

The double whammies of the release of crime statistics by the FBI and the scandal regarding the Detroit Police Department's former crime lab call in to question the basic competence of the Detroit Police Department ("Flint, Detroit top list of big U.S. cities for violent crime," May 23). Although downtown and midtown are generally safe for residents and visitors, our city as a whole once again leads the nation in serious crime. At the same time, the department's crime lab, which was closed because of incompetence in ballistics testing, was never adequately secured. Chief Godbee's response has been to apologize and acknowledge that he had been given the responsibility to close the lab. If the mayor is serious about revitalizing our city, he should recruit a police chief that has a proven record of driving down crime rates.

Thomas E. Page, Detroit

Letter on Detroit taxes, published June 9, 2011, Detroit Free Press

Taxes are the problem

I'm a returning Detroiter. After 25 years living and working in Los Angeles, I moved back to my hometown of Detroit. I certainly didn't move here because of the excellent city services. For the most part, and with few exceptions, city services aren't even adequate. City departments are rarely even minimally responsive to questions and complaints. In spite of these and other issues, Detroit is an awfully exciting place to be. I believe that those of us who choose to live here may partake in an urban renaissance without peer. The keys to that renaissance are not only the so-called big ideas, such as the Woodward light rail, but the individual, often entrepreneurial, decisions to live, play, work and create here.

Editorial Page editor Stephen Henderson's suggestion that Detroit needs to break its "high-tax habit" is right on the money ("Help Detroit break its high-tax habit," June 5). Even more important than improving city services, the mayor, Council, Wayne County, and the state should embark on implementing a policy of removing the disincentives for people to live and work in Detroit. In my opinion, city taxes and auto insurance rates are the primary disincentives. As Henderson suggests, the city's income tax for both residents and non-residents should be eliminated in gradients over a five-year period. In addition, the city's property tax rate should be pegged at the median for the metropolitan area.

Once the city-tax disincentives are eliminated, the trickle of entrepreneurs, new residents, and jobs will become a flood!

Thomas E. Page

Detroit

Here is the actual letter that was published on June 4, 2011. Talk about severe editing!

 How about a little outrage over the latest FBI crime statistics? Our city again leads the nation in crime. Our murder rate, for example, is 500% greater than the rate in Los Angeles. It’s time to seriously challenge the willingness and capability of the Detroit Police Department to fulfill its stated mission of protecting and serving our city.

   The latest example of incompetence comes from the disgraceful and probably criminal failure to secure the former crime laboratory — which, by the way, was closed because of incompetence in ballistics testing.

   Thomas E. Page

   Retired, Los Angeles Police

   Department

Detroit Police Crime Lab scandal and Crime Rate

Today's Detroit Free Press reported that the Detroit Police Department's former crime lab was left unsecured with evidence and files open to the elements. This spurred the following letter. E-mail to the Detroit Free Press on May 27, 2011.

Dear Editor:

How about a little outrage over the latest FBI crime statistics? Our City once again leads the nation in crime. And it's not even close. Our murder rate, for example, is 500% greater than the rate in Los Angeles. It's time to seriously challenge the willingness and capability of the Detroit Police Department to fulfill its stated mission of protecting and serving our City. The latest example of incompetence comes from the disgraceful and probably criminal failure to secure the former crime laboratory on Brush St. Which, by the way, was closed because of incompetence in ballistics testing.

The parallels between the failures of the Detroit Public Schools to educate and the Detroit Police Department to fight crime are striking indeed. Although both agencies have many well-meaning professional employees, the end results are similar: Detroit Public School students have the lowest test scores in the nation; Detroit has the highest crime rate.

A response to the failures of the Detroit Public Schools has been the creation of charter schools, that are run independently of the school system. Schools that do not show progress in meeting academic goals are being closed. Perhaps this same model of accountability and innovation can be applied to policing in Detroit. One innovation could be the merger of the Detroit Police Department with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department. It has been done in other cities, such as Miami and Indianapolis. Why not here? The fact that the Sheriff is elected brings instant accountability to policing. Another innovation would be the contracting of police services with the Wayne State University Police Department.

Finally, if the Mayor is serious about revitalizing our City, he should recruit a Police Chief that has a proven record of driving down crime rates. William Bratton, the former LAPD and NYPD chief comes to mind.

Thomas E. Page
Retired, Los Angeles Police Department

Detroit Police Chief Godbee discounts importance of arrests.

I e-mailed this letter to the Detroit Free Press on May 8, 2011.

Dear editor:

I am a 25 year veteran of the Detroit and Los Angeles Police Departments. I am also a life-member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. I really hoped for better when Chief Godbee took office. The Chief seems to have resurrected the old and largely discredited attitude that arrrests are signs of failure of our society. And that police can have only a limited impact on crime.

Jeff Gerritt's editorial opinion praises the Chief for not focusing on the number of arrests as a measure of the Department's efficiency. Chief Godbee also refers to the FBI's release of crime statistics as a "shell game." I suspect that the Chief knows that the best statistic, and least likely to be fudged, is the number of homicides. Given that, how does the Chief explain, or rationalize, the fact that Los Angeles with five times the number of people has about the same number of homicides as Detroit? You read that correctly: Detroit has a homicide rate 500% more than Detroit. The Chief should release arrest and citation statistics so that we Detroiters can judge whether we have an efficient Police Department.

Elected officials and law enforcement officers in places like Los Angeles and New York City know that aggressive policing, including arrests for so-called minor crimes, can dramatically cut the crime rate. That's the Broken Windows theory of policing. Take care of quality of life crimes, such as vandalism and graffiti, and the rate of serious crimes plummets.

Finally, a Federal Consent Decree compliance rate of 65% after seven years is nothing to be proud of. Rather, it's a disgrace on three levels: cost, length of time, and the fact that the Consent Decree will do nothing about our intolerably high crime rate.

The Chief has lost sight of the fact that his profession is Law Enforcement. For many, the fear and likelihood of arrest prevent criminal behavior. And if the Chief doesn't believe that, then he's in the wrong business.

Thomas E. Page
Law Enforcement Consultant
Los Angeles Police Department, retired

This statement, with my response, was posted on detroityes.com. I truly am astonished that someone would suggest we change our DUI laws back to a .15 limit. Incredible.

Quote Originally Posted by Ray1936 View Post
I'm not much of a drinker -- an occasional glass of wine is about it -- and I don't like drunk drivers one bit. But I've felt for a long time that .08 is far to low a marker to be considered over the line. It used to be .15, and that was a more realistic figure.

My response:
Are you kidding? Suggesting it should be a .15? A .15 is only realistic if you're just interested in the stumbling falling over drunk who's gotta drive 'cause he's too drunk to walk. Starting at about a .04 the likelihood of being in a crash start to go up dramatically. At an .08 you're about 4 times as likely as a .00 to be in a crash. At .15, you are about 30 times more likely. Impairment in the skills important in operating a vehicle begin to deteriorate with the first drink. An .08 is NOT just a glass of wine with dinner. Depending on a number of factors (weight, blood volume, absorption, burn-off rate, food in stomach, etc.) it's about 4 or 5 drinks over a few hours. Most people are blasted at .15. As currently written our laws say "Try not to drink too much and drive." What we should be saying is "Don't drink and drive." Eventually, we'll go to a .02 like the Scandinavians do. That doesn't mean we should lock 'em up and throw away the key. Rather, they should be taken off the road for at least 24 hours.

Minnesota college kids visit Detroit
From The Detroit News, April 2, 2011. My quote is correct, even though the reporter and I had a much longer chat. Never did hear from the college kids.

Last Updated: April 01. 2011 10:07PM
Minn. college students meet Detroit officials to tout revival plan
Christine MacDonald / The Detroit News

Detroit— Some called their road trip to Detroit refreshing. Others deemed it condescending.

Either way, five Bloomington, Minn., community college students made the rounds Friday from City Hall to Wayne State University to present their turnaround plan for Detroit. They've studied the Motor City all semester at Normandale Community College and traveled 700 miles to bounce their ideas off local leaders and see Detroit first-hand to learn more.

They huddled with Deputy Mayor Saul Green, six of Wayne State's top executives and Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee. The students were given a police-guided neighborhood tour and five tickets to Sunday's Detroit Red Wings game from the mayor's office.

And they even became brief celebrities, with a city bus driver recognizing them from a TV interview while they walked down Woodward.

Today, they expect to meet with Robert Bobb, the emergency manager for the Detroit Public Schools.

"I am so grateful and humbled that people have taken the time out to meeting with five college kids," said Dulcie Valusek, 21, of Eagan, Minn. "After these interviews, I have come to know we didn't really know Detroit. All I have heard about Detroit is it's a war zone and it's barely hanging on. But what I have seen is a community that is coming together.

"It's not helpless. It's not hopeless."

Their trip is a unique example of the heavy national interest in Detroit as a laboratory for urban reformers, with national groups pitching ideas to rescue the city. The five students contacted The News this week for help in reaching city officials before making the trip.

But it's caused controversy among those weary of outsiders claiming to have answers to problems that have bedeviled generations of Detroiters. And some residents were upset the five students chose to stay at a Farmington Hills hotel because of their parents' concerns for their safety.

Tom Page, a Midtown resident who offered to give the students a tour, said he appreciates their enthusiasm but said it's a slight to say: "We will study you, but we won't stay in the city."

Marcus Page, 20, of St. Paul, Minn, said he understands the backlash, adding the students meant no disrespect.

The students' plan includes dramatically boosting the size of Wayne State University, making Detroit known as an education hub and adding neighborhood service projects to high school courses. Page said they will retool their project with what they've learned during their visit.

Many of the ideas the students pitched — including growing the Midtown neighborhood — are being done, said Karen Dumas, a Bing spokeswoman, but she applauded them for going beyond their classroom.

"I'd like other people to do the same rather than pass judgment on the city," Dumas said.

The other students who came to Detroit are Jacob Mars, Katie Krout and Ari Werner. Another student, Tanner Moncrief helped with research but didn't make the trip.

cmacdonald@detnews.com

(313) 222-2396

Motown from "suburbs" of Detroit?
On March 25, 2011, I e-mailed the following letter to the Detroit Free Press.

Dear Editor:

Detroiters, of which I am one, shouldn't be too hard on Ryan Seacrest for his comment that Hitsville USA, Motown, originated "...in the suburbs of Detroit." In many cities, such as Los Angeles where I lived for 25 years, the term "suburb" refers to districts out of the downtown central business district. For example, the neighborhoods of Sherman Oaks, Reseda, and Van Nuys are all suburbs within the City of Los Angeles. These neighborhoods have very distinct identities, including signs at their "borders." Yet, they are still part of the City of Los Angeles. Locally, few people refer to Hamtramck and Highland Park as suburbs, even though they are separate communities with distinct governments. On the other hand, the campuses of Marygrove College and my Alma Mater, the University of Detroit, are suburban in character, even though they are within the City of Detroit.

Come to think of it, I live in the suburbs of Detroit, the New Center Area, a stone's throw from Hitsville USA!

Thomas E. Page

Police "on the streets" comment
Letter published in the Detroit Free Press on March 21, 2011

Get smarter about putting police on the street
I wholeheartedly support City Councilman Gary Brown’s efforts to put more police officers “on the street” by identifying jobs that could more efficiently be performed by civilian employees. Other cities, such as Los Angeles, use uniformed civilians to direct traffic at sporting events and concerts. Civilians not only do the job much cheaper but more professionally. Many jurisdictions also use uniformed civilians to respond to noninjury vehicle accident reports, as well as simple larcenies.

Putting “more officers on the street,” is only part of what will make our city safer. We need our officers and police supervisors to work smarter, to actually solve crime rather than just respond to 911 calls.

Most experienced police officers will tell you that it’s a small number of criminals who are responsible for most of the crime. Give the street officers and their immediate supervisors the responsibility to solve crimes and arrest the criminals. And hold their commanding officers accountable for implementing solutions to crime in their areas. Gun buyback programs and the like may make good press, but they do little to stop crime.

Thomas E. Page Retired, Los Angeles Police

Department Detroit

I-94 expansion letter.

I sent this letter to the Detroit Free Press on March 11, 2011, in response to an editorial urging the completion of repairs and 2 lane expansion through the heart of Detroit of I-94, the Edsel Ford Freeway.

Dear editor:

The State and SEMCOG should cancel the two lane expansion of I-94. This is an absolute waste of taxpayer funds that diverts precious dollars from the maintenance and repair of existing roadways. It's a disgrace the way MDOT hasn't maintained roadways, bridges and overpasses. Better to take that $1.5 billion plus and use part of it to add bridges and pedestrian overpasses over the freeway. Reconnect the neighborhoods that this freeway, and others, destroyed. As your editorial states, this project was planned over 20 years ago. Times have changed. Twenty years ago we didn't have $4 a gallon gas. Expanding freeways in the heart of the City of Detroit will do nothing, and will hurt, the nascent urban renaissance. Kill it now.

****
The following was printed in the March 15, 2011 Detroit Free Press:
Don't expand I-94

The state and SEMCOG should cancel the two-lane expansion of I-94. This is a waste of taxpayer funds that diverts precious dollars from the maintenance and repair of existing roadways.

It's a disgrace the way Michigan Department of Transportation hasn't maintained roadways, bridges and overpasses. Better to take that $1.5 billion-plus and use part of it to add bridges and pedestrian overpasses over the freeway. Reconnect the neighborhoods that this freeway, and others, destroyed.

This project was planned more than 20 years ago. Times have changed. Twenty years ago, we didn't have $4-a-gallon gas. Expanding freeways in the heart of the city will do nothing and will hurt the nascent urban renaissance.

Thomas E. Page

Detroit

Letter to the Detroit News, e-mailed on February 28, 2011. Regarding: Suburban representation on the Water and Sewage Department Board and Emergency Financial Mangers.

Dear Editor:

Like Nero who fiddled while Rome burned, Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh and fellow-fiddler JoAnn Watson are ranting about an alleged suburban takover, supposedly sanctioned by Mayor Bing, of the Water and Sewage Department. Also, Pugh and Watson express outrage that the State is trying to be prepared for the possible fiscal collapse of Detroit (and other cities to be sure) by training emergency financial managers in advance. Which is what a prudent State government should be doing.

Apparently Pugh and Watson have never been repeatedly put on hold when trying to call 911; apparently the police actually show up when called by them to a crime scene; apparently the street lights work on their streets.

In spite of high taxes, Detroiters, such as me, receive inferior City services. Rather than working to improve services by cooperating with other communities, the fiddlers rally their minions to demonstrate and fight against the imaginary threat of outsiders who are trying to seize "control" of City assets. The fight over "control" is a needless diversion from what the City Council should be doing: making Detroit a better and safer place to live, work, and play.

Thomas E. Page

February 23, 1981 is my LAPD seniority date, the day I started the LAPD Police Academy. My classmates are holding a 30th reunion next week. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the trip to LA. The reunion coordinators asked each of us to recount some memorable moments of our careers. Here's a couple of my entries.

Best temporary assignments: While I was the OIC of the DRE Unit, I traveled extensively. Some of the places I traveled to were: Canada, Sweden, Russia, Australia, and Guam, in addition to much of the U.S. In 1995, I was the sole law enforcement representative of a group of people (mostly prosecutors) who taught a class at a Moscow Prosecutor Academy. The day we started the training, the audio-visual Russian expert came up to me and pointed to his lapel. He was wearing an LAPD mini badge!! He told me that his father had been in LA as a news correspondent for the 84 Olympics, and had brought the mini-badge back as a gift! He told me he wore the mini-badge every day to remind him that his dream was to visit America. Understandably, I was very moved by this.

Here’s another similar anecdote. In the mid 90’s I traveled to Guam on behalf of the Northwestern University Traffic Institute. We put on a class dealing with DUI enforcement, focusing on drugs. I was the only LAPD instructor. During a break in the class I was chatting with one of the other instructors, a Sergeant with the Maryland State Police. A Guam officer came up to me and said, “Sarge, did you bring your badge with you?” I had, and I pulled it out of my pocket. The Guam officer held the badge with both hands as if it were a sacred object. He said, “All my life I’ve wanted to actually touch an LAPD badge. That’s why I became a police officer.” The Maryland State Police Sergeant pulled out his badge, but the Guam officer wasn’t interested in seeing it. I have often thought of how Chief Gates used to remind us that the only way someone gets the LAPD badge is to earn it!!

Worst assignment: I was wheeled to 77th Street after I completed my probation as a Sergeant (late 1986 or early ’87). I lived in Pasadena. There was no way to avoid the downtown LA congestion to get to work. I hated that commute! Stacey Koon was a Sergeant in 77th at the time too!

One of my worst memories: In about 1990 I became the OIC of the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) unit. One of my duties was to respond to call-outs when a Department employee, a celebrity, or a City Council Person (remember Mike Hernandez?) was believed to be under the influence of drugs. In the early 90’s I received an early morning (3 AM?) call from a Hollywood captain. They had an officer working the desk who they thought could be on drugs. I responded to the station, and after meeting with the captain and the WC, the officer was brought in to the captain’s office. I could tell right away that this officer, who was in full uniform, was under the influence of cocaine. The captain introduced me as the head of the DRE Unit and told the officer that I was going to determine if he was under the influence of drugs. The officer, still in full uniform, replied that he had to go as he had a doctor’s appointment (it was about 4 AM) now. The officer ran out of the station. Fortunately, the WC didn’t chase him. (There’s never a good outcome when officers with guns are chasing an armed officer.) I was told later that IA went to the officer’s home later that day. As they pulled up, the officer ran out of the back of the house. The picture of an LAPD officer, in uniform, high of cocaine, is something that will never leave me.

Letter e-mailed to the Detroit Free Press on February 24, 2011 regarding the DSO Strike/lockout.

Dear Editor:

I fear that we are witnessing the equivalent of a murder-suicide pact involving the Detroit Symphony Orchestra management and the striking musicians. Unfortunately, and certainly not intentionally, the parties are threatening the very future of our community. Vibrant communities offer their residents and visitors a comprehensive menu of cultural opportunities that become woven into the fabric of life. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is an integral part of Detroit's cultural fabric. In today's mobile society, we make choices about where we will live. Jobs are only part of what attracts people to live in a community. Just imagine the negative press coverage that will accompany an announcement that the DSO has disbanded as a result of this protracted lockout-strike. If you're tired of the world media using pictures of the abandoned Michigan Central Train Station as evidence of our City's decay, imagine for a moment images of an abandoned Orchestra Hall. Don't be so smug to think that couldn't happen. Think of the devastating impact that would have on the recruiting efforts of our companies, our medical centers, and our universities.

We are in a "bite-the-bullet" period. Our automobile industry - primary sponsors of our cultural institutions - nearly disappeared two short years ago. Michigan, along with many other states (witness Wisconsin) are having to make some very difficult budgetary choices. If we are to get through this period and survive, much less prosper, tremendous sacrifices will have to be made. I plead to the DSO management and the musicians alike to settle this labor dispute before it's too late - for all of us.

Thomas E. Page

Letter e-mailed to Detroit News, February 22, 2011, regarding the Detroit Symphony Orchestra strike/lockout.

Dear Editor:

I'm fearful that we are witnessing the equivalent of a murder-suicide pact involving the Detroit Symphony Orchestra management and the striking musicians. And unfortunately, both parties, intentionally or not, are dragging down the very future of our community. Vibrant communities have a palate of cultural opportunities that are woven into the fabric of everyday life. A Symphony Orchestra is an integral part of that cultural fabric. In today's increasingly mobile society, we make choices about where we will live. And jobs are only part of what attracts people to live in a certain area. I moved back to Detroit after 25 years in Southern California. Frankly, if the DSO disbands and we are left without a world-class orchestra, I will rethink my commitment to this area. To many of us, culture isn't a luxury; rather, it's a necessity.

We are in a "bite-the-bullet" period. Our automobile industry - primary sponsors of our cultural institutions - nearly disappeared. Michigan, along with many other states (witness Wisconsin) are having to make some very difficult budgetary choices. If we are to get through this period and survive, much less prosper, tremendous sacrifices will have to be made. I plead to the DSO management and the musicians alike to settle this labor dispute before it's too late - for all of us.

Thomas E. Page

I e-mailed the following letter to the Detroit Free Press. The letter is in reference to last night and today's major snow/ice storm.

Dear editor:

Those who doubt the need for a rail link from downtown Detroit to the Airport need only contemplate the results of Monday's snow emergency. Many freeway entrances and exits are closed due to accumulations of ice, snow, and vehicle crashes. As a result, many can't get to the airport in time to make their flights. And woe is the person who arrives at the airport expecting a family member or friend to pick them up. I hope it's not just wishful thinking to expect the Detroit region to join other cities and finally build an efficient commuter train system that connects with a Woodward Avenue, M1, light rail. If this region is to regain any economic vibrancy, mass transit is a must.

Here's the letter that was actually published in the February 23, 2011 paper:
Stuck in snow? It’s why we need transit

Those who doubt the need for a rail link from downtown Detroit to Metro Airport need only contemplate the results of Monday’s snow emergency.

Many freeway entrances and exits were closed due to ice, snow and vehicle crashes. Many could not get to the airport in time to make their flights. And woe the people who arrive at the airport expecting family members or friends to pick them up.

I hope it’s not wishful thinking to expect the Detroit region to join other cities and finally build an efficient commuter train system that connects with a Woodward Avenue M1 light rail system. If this region is to regain any economic vibrancy, mass transit is a must.

Thomas E. Page Detroit

Writing on the Wall: Places: Design Observer

Writing on the Wall: Places: Design Observer

Interesting slide show of Detroit signs. But...I find myself becoming increasingly irritated by suburbanites who gain fame and money by their association with the City of Detroit. David Clements certainly takes some great photos. He also has some street cred since he formerly lived in the Cass Corridor. But he left the city for the pseudo-city of Royal Oak.

Here's my severely edited Detroit Press letter on the Michigan individual price sticker law. This letter appeared in the Sunday Free Press, February 6, 2011.

Get smarter on pricing

I support the governor's efforts to put to rest the anachronistic individual price sticker law. Really, are Michiganders and Bay Staters (Massachusetts residents) the only people too stupid to read the posted price above the items?

If the individual pricing law is repealed, prices could go down. Profits could go up -- a good thing. More people could be hired to perform meaningful jobs, rather than languish in make-work jobs with no future.

Thomas E. Page

Detroit

Letter sent to Detroit News and Detroit Free Press on Jan 28, 2011

Dear Editor:

Once again, this Detroiter is embarrassed by the puerile ramblings of City Council members about "control" of the City's Water Department. Only this time, they are joined by by State Senator Johnson and State Rep. Jackson. Thankfully, Mayor Bing, along with Macomb County public works commissioner Anthony Marrocco, are the adults in the room. First-term Mayor Bing has appropriately requested time to work on correcting the historic (under federal oversight since 1977) mis-management and corruption in the Department. Commissioner Marrocco reversed course, and now publicly states that Mayor Bing deserves time to address the many issues. Refreshingly adult positions.

All parties seem to agree that the ownership of the Water Department should stay with the City of Detroit. Ownership by the City of Detroit isn't the issue. But, maintaining a monopolistic system, in which most of your customers have no representation, is not the way to deal with a $200 million deficit, nor the way to update an aging infrastructure.

Thomas E. Page

Here's my latest letter to the Detroit News regarding the Detroit Police Department. This letter is in reference to the arrest of an attempted auto theft suspect by 3 ladies. They pulled the person from the car and held him while repeatedly calling 911. The police did not respond, although the police station is literally less than 2 short blocks away. So, the ladies started walking their arrestee to the police station. They encountered a uniformed Detroit Officer in a bank, and he refused to help, telling them to continue walking the person to the station. Finally, Wayne State Police stopped and took the person into custody.

Dear editor:

If you need police assistance, and you live in Midtown or the New Center area as I do, you hope that the Wayne State University Police are in your area. Because experience has taught us that the Detroit Police are unlikely to even respond, even when you are detaining a criminal who committed a crime in your presence; even when you are holding the suspect less than two blocks from the Central District Station. And to insult to injury, a uniformed officer instructs you to walk the person to the police station!

The typical Detroit Police Department three-part blame game response to crime is this: (1) Blame the victims for parking, driving, walking, shopping in the area; (2) Blame the number of 911 calls; and (3) Blame the lack of response on short-staffing. Here's what the Department should do: Blame the criminals, seek them out, and arrest them. Screen 911 calls and only dispatch officers when an on-scene response is actually needed - not "24 minutes" from the time of the call, but now. Finally, cut the command staff, and better deploy your officers. Detroit has more officers per capita than many cities, including Los Angeles. Use uniformed civilians to tow vehicles, direct traffic at sporting events, and lift fingerprints.

Chief Godbee publicly discourages citizens from making arrests, telling us to leave police work to the professionals. If the police don't even respond to repeated 911 calls, then making citizens' arrests is what we will do. I applaud my neighbors for stopping a crime in progress by a making a citizen's arrest.

The joke in my neighborhood is that the difference between the TV Detroit Police Officers on "Detroit 187" and real officers is that the "Detroit 187" officers actually seek out criminals to arrest them. In spite of many dedicated, hard-working, and innovative officers, I have little confidence in the willingness and ability of the Detroit Police Department to have an impact on crime.

I also offer kudos and a sincere thank you to Chief Holt and the Wayne State Police Department for assisting my neighbors in their citizen's arrest.

Thomas E. Page

The reporter got my address wrong, but the point is the same!

Feds grant $25M for downtown light rail
Tom Greenwood / The Detroit News

Federal officials on Thursday announced a grant agreement has been signed for $25 million toward a proposed light rail project in downtown Detroit.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the deal was signed by the Federal Transit Administration, city of Detroit and Michigan Department of Transportation for the first phase of the M-1 rail, a 3.4-mile, 12-station line from Hart Plaza to the New Center area.

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The $25 million, which was applied for in 2010, comes from a $1.5 billion fund under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and is known as TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) funds.

The funds are to be used for road rehabilitation, landscaping and the purchase of light rail cars for the project.

"Building this light rail system will create jobs for this great American city, and it will stimulate long-term economic growth by attracting investment to downtown Detroit and the New Center area," LaHood said in prepared remarks.

Proponents of the system plan to break ground in late 2011 once the findings of an environmental impact study are complete this spring.

Both public and private funds would be used to pay for the $450 million trolley-type system, which in total would run 9.3 miles from Hart Plaza to Eight Mile.

The first section of the rail project — running from Hart Plaza to the New Center area at a price of $125 million — is being underwritten by members of M-1 Rail, a consortium of deep-pocket investors including Mike Ilitch, Roger Penske, Peter Karmanos, Dan Gilbert and the Kresge Foundation.

Construction of the section from the New Center area to Eight Mile would be paid for by the City of Detroit and federal funds on a 20/80 percent basis.

The cash-strapped city received a major break last year when U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick added an amendment to the 2010 federal transportation bill that would allow Detroit to use the $125 million in private funds as its 20 percent portion of the project.

"That really made the federal government take notice," said M-1 Rail CEO Matt Cullen, who credited Mayor Dave Bing for his strong leadership for the project.

Tim Hoeffner, administrator of high speed rail for the Michigan Department of Transportation, said the use of private sector money for matching funds is extremely important.

Backers are betting the rail system will create new businesses and residences along the route and also will bring visitors in to enjoy the city's restaurants, cultural institutions, sports arenas and riverfront.

Detroiter Thomas Page uses mass transit whenever possible and is a big supporter of the light rail project.

"We have to have this if we want to be even a mediocre city, let alone a world class city," said Page, who lives on Woodward near Grand River.

"Real cities have rail systems. Even people who don't use them want to live near transportation systems. If we don't build this now, I don't see much hope for Detroit or the state of Michigan."

Hoeffner said the impact study should be submitted by spring, approved sometime this summer and the signing of construction contracts by Sept. 30.

Initial stops on the system include: Michigan State Fairgrounds at Eight Mile, Seven Mile, McNichols, Manchester, Glendale, Calvert and Hazelwood/Holbrook.

More include: Grand Boulevard, Piquette, Warren, Mack, Foxtown and Hart Plaza.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110121/METRO05/101210386/Feds-grant-$25M-for-downtown-light-rail#ixzz1BgWblveC

A Satirical post I made on January 18th, 2011. One reader believed it!!

Going to the Auto Show? After all, if you're a Detroiter, it is pretty much a civic obligation!

FCC regulations in Detroit prohibit the local media from suggesting non-auto forms of transportation. So, when the weather is bad, the talking heads will instruct you to leave early, drive slowly, take alternate routes, allow yourself plenty of time, blah blah blah. But they will NEVER suggest taking the bus.

So here's a tip. Given the crummy weather, snow, possibly icy roads, consider taking the bus (DDOT if you're on the fun side of 8 mile, and SMART if you're not) to Cobo. It's a convenient, cheap way to get to/from the show. You can also connect with the DPM (People Mover) for the best 50 cent tour around. And that's what I did yesterday. Enjoy. Tom

Detroit Free Press, January 19, 2011

Require police and firefighters to live in the city?


In the late 1970s, a time when city residency was required, I was a Detroit police officer. In 1980, after being laid off from the department, I joined the Los Angeles Police Department. In California, residency requirements are forbidden. I served the LAPD until my retirement. I now live, by choice, in the heart of Detroit.

From my personal experience, forced residency breeds resentment. It also hinders recruiting and retention. Precious resources get wasted on officers spying on other officers to make certain they actually live in the city.

Residency requirements divert attention from what our city leaders should be doing: making Detroit an attractive place to live. And a major component of making Detroit an attractive place to live should be a responsive, professional, efficient, aggressive and accountable police department. In spite of the efforts of many fine, dedicated officers, we don't have that kind of police department.

In spite of inferior, often nonexistent city services, I moved back to Detroit to participate in what I believe will be an urban renaissance without peer. Forced residency for police officers would be a return to the old ways that didn't work.

Thomas E. Page, Detroit

Letter sent to Detroit News on January 21, 2011 regarding the mandatory stickers on grocery items, and the Governor's plan to repeal it.

Dear Editor:

Just as the Luddites were threatened by the mechanization of knitting mills, Michigan's neo-Luddites are fighting to maintain the anachronistic and expensive jobs of grocery store sticker placers. Apparently, Michigan consumers (along with similar folks in Massachusetts) are too stupid to read the posted price above the items. Perhaps we should prohibit people from pumping their own gasoline - as is the case in New Jersey. Maybe we should dispense with automated traffic lights, and return to the old days of officers standing in the middle of intersections. Think of all the great jobs that would create!

On the other hand, if the individual pricing sticker law was repealed, prices could go down. Profits could go up. More people could be hired. Unemployment would go down! Sounds like a Win, Win, Win, Win situation to me.

Thomas E. Page

American Routes ~ Motor City Music of Detroit

American Routes ~ Motor City Music of Detroit