Posted: Sept. 16, 2009

Detroit Free Press

LETTERS

Focus on the basics to turn city around

I am thrilled to read that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will concentrate the city's limited resources on providing core services such as public safety and water. I also encourage the mayor to continue the movement toward the privatization of those services that can be handled more efficiently by the private sector.

At the same time, I hope the mayor genuinely considers consolidating some city departments with Wayne County departments. Many areas around the country, including Indianapolis, Nashville and Miami, have consolidated their law enforcement agencies.

Given the abysmal police services provided by the Detroit Police Department and its embarrasingly low homicide clearance rate, in spite of many outstanding officers, I believe it's time to merge the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff's Department.

Thomas Page, Detroit