Yes, Hell IS Other People! Detroit Councilwoman Watson "awarded" designation.

Detroit Councilwoman Joann Watson is "honored" with my "Hell is other people" designation.

Earlier this week, in a video clip seen nationwide, Detroit Councilwoman Watson demanded that City leaders go to Washington, D.C. and "bring home the bacon" from the President. Her rationale was that the President owes Detroit a "quid pro quo" because Detroiters voted for President Obama.

Councilwoman Watson's comments have made my City a laughingstock, particularly for those who believe that Detroit's many problems have been self-generated.

For her crassness, greed, and plain stupidity, Joann Watson is "awarded" the "Hell is Other People" designation.

Fortunately, in 2013, Detroit's council will be elected by districts with two at-large positions. I'd be shocked if Joann Watson is still at the public trough next year.

Here's a link to an article on the topic: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/05/joann-watson-detroit-bacon-obama_n_2247348.html

Sent to Detroit papers on November 21, 2012

Dear Editor: 

The legendary baseball manager Casey Stengel famously said in frustration over the ineptitude of the NY Mets, "Can't anyone here play this game?" In a week worthy of the 1962 NY Mets, the ship of fools known as the Detroit City Council tabled action on the sale of less than 2000 vacant, litter strewn lots to a private developer, who heaven forbid, plans to clean up the property, plant hardwood trees, and eventually do a little farming. And by the way, the City Council has been studying Hantz's proposal for over three years.  In addition, the Council turned down the opportunity to make the Water Department more efficient, and vetoed Mayor Bing's contract with a law firm that now jeopardizes aid from the state. The same City Council that kicks sand in the face of the Governor when the state offers to take over the management of Belle Isle - at NO cost to the City.  As Casey Stengel rhetorically asked, I too wonder if there's anyone on the City Council who can "play this game." With the possible exception of Councilmen Cockrel and Brown, the answer is a resounding "NO."

Fortunately, in 2013, we Detroiters will elect council members primarily by district. And for that I give thanks. 

Thomas E. Page

More Cops on the Street is NOT the Answer

Letter to the Detroit News sent on October 9, 2012
Dear Editor:

"More cops on the street" is NOT the answer to our City's crime problem. 

Although I certainly support the deployment of additional police officers, I believe, as Councilman Gary Brown has said, that the Department currently has sufficient resources to aggressively combat crime. It's a fact that Detroit has more police officers per capita than many cities. What matters more than raw numbers of officers, is how, where, and when those officers are deployed, and what is expected of the officers.  The Data Driven Approach to Crime and Traffic Safety, known as DDACTS, is an example of intelligent policing which identifies crime hot spots, and suggests simple strategies, including aggressive traffic enforcement, in response. The Detroit Police Department needs to evolve  from its reactive, 911 call-centered approach to a proactive style which recognizes that police can actually prevent crimes.

There are many qualified law enforcement professionals around the country who would embrace the challenge of leading Detroit's policing efforts.  The DPD needs a culture change. Promoting from within the Department is not the way to institute that change.  

Thomas E. Page

I sent the following letter to the Detroit News on October 3, 2012. This letter is in response to Mayor Bing's suspension of Chief Godbee, apparently because of an inappropriate sexual relationship with a subordinate.

Dear Editor:

I hope that Mayor Bing's suspension of Police Chief Godbee is simply a prelude to his termination. Not only has Chief Godbee repeatedly demonstrated that he lacks sufficient character to serve as Police Chief, he has been ineffective in carrying out the Department's mission of "protecting and serving."  

On September 20 and 21, 2012, Wayne State University hosted a comprehensive conference on Detroit's crime crisis. Many proven and simple-to-implement ideas to combat crime were presented by eminent scholars and law enforcement practitioners, including George Kelling of "Broken Windows" fame, WSU Police Chief Tony Holt, and former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton. 

The response of Detroit Police Department Chief Godbee to these creative ideas was the same old song and dance. Chief Godbee complained about lack of resources, even though Bill Bratton pointed out that even with the cuts, Detroit has more officers per capita than other cities. 

As a veteran of law enforcement (Detroit and Los Angeles Police Departments), I have seen first hand how good policing matters, and can make a huge difference in a short period of time. A contemporary example of how effective policing can quickly and dramatically impact the homicide rate comes from our nation's capital, Washington, D.C.  Washington, D.C. experienced a 42% drop in homicides in 3 years, going from 186 in 2008 to 108 in 2011.  And that wasn't accomplished by a huge increase in the number of officers on the so-called street.

I have no confidence that the Detroit Police Department under Chief Godbee's command is willing or even capable of having a significant impact on crime. We citizens deserve better policing, and a better Police Department. Replacing Chief Godbee would be a welcome step in that direction. 

Thomas E. Page

Former Detroit Police Officer

Retired, Los Angeles Police Department

Life member, International Association of Chiefs of Police

Letter sent to Detroit Free Press on September 28, 2012

Dear Editor:

On September 20 and 21, 2012, Wayne State University hosted a comprehensive conference on Detroit's crime crisis. Many proven and simple-to-implement ideas to combat crime were presented by eminent scholars and law enforcement practitioners, including George Kelling of "Broken Windows" fame, WSU Police Chief Tony Holt, and former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton. 

The response of Detroit Police Department Chief Godbee to these creative ideas was the same old song and dance. Chief Godbee complained about lack of resources, even though Bill Bratton pointed out that even with the cuts, Detroit has more officers per capita than other cities. Chief Godbee repeatedly asked the community to "trust" the Department, without giving us reason to trust it.  Chief Godbee also blamed the media for fostering a "perception" of  crime. Clearly, Chief Godbee doesn't understand that the best way to change the "perception" of crime is to change the reality of it.  In short, Chief Godbee acknowledged that the Detroit Police Department is incapable of reducing our City's persistently embarrassingly high crime rate.

Albert Einstein is credited with saying that "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." As long as the Detroit Police Department continues its reactive, 911-call centric style of policing, we shouldn't expect different results. 

Thomas E. Page

Former Detroit Police Officer

Retired, Los Angeles Police Department

Life member, International Association of Chiefs of Police

Letter to Detroit Free Press, September 23, 2012

The incompetence of Detroit's City Council never ceases to amaze. This is the latest source of amazement!

Dear Editor:

This is in the category of you've gotta be kidding.

Once again, I am dismayed by the ignorance and incompetence of the government of the City of Detroit. In its wisdom (sarcasm intended), the City of Detroit has proclaimed Washington Boulevard as "John Conyers Jr. Blvd." The City has even posted new street signs to this effect. And when did they do this? Less than two months before the election in which John Conyers, Jr. is running for re-election to Congress! I hope the Conyers campaign committee conveys its appreciation for the free advertising.  

Thomas E. Page

Belle Isle? Yes, the State should take it over!

Letter to Detroit News regarding State Aid to Belle Isle 

August 3, 2012
Re: "Rally targets Belle Isle lease," August 2, 2012

 Dear editor:
 Contrary to the rants of Councilman Kenyatta and the (his words) "just say no trio," I'm confident that the great majority of Detroiters are thrilled at the prospect of the State of Michigan leasing Belle Isle for 99 years. Under the State's plan, the City will maintain actual ownership, while the operations, including maintenance will be the responsibility of the State. It's long overdue for the City Council's trio of naysayers, Kenyatta, Watson, and Jones, to face the reality of a broke City that does not have the resources to provide the most basic services. Rather, this trio continues to rail against the straw man of "control" to divert attention from truly pressing problems, such as public safety and lighting. If the City Council and Mayor Bing truly had the interests of Detroiters at heart, they would be welcoming the State's help with open arms. Also disappointingly, Mayor Bing has been far less than enthusiastic in welcoming the State's help in demolishing vacant and dangerous buildings near schools. Nor has the Mayor welcomed the assignment of State Troopers to our City. Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Unfortunately, our City leaders seem hell-bent on repeating history.
 Thomas Page, Detroit

Letter to Detroit News on ineffective Detroit Police Department

Re: "Police cuts loom as Detroit struggles to curb violence" series, June 8, 2012. Dear editor: When an entity, whether it's a company, a school district, a non-profit organization, or even a police department, repeatedly doesn't provide the product or service it is supposed to provide, that entity has outlived its usefulness and should be disbanded. The Detroit Police Department, in spite of many professional, motivated, and ethical officers, neither protects nor serves our City's residents or visitors. By nearly every metric, the Detroit Police Department has shown itself to be ineffective, and yes, incompetent. The Police Chief Magazine recently identified questions by which a police agency could judge the quality of its service. (David J. Roberts, "Performance Management for Policing," Technology Talk, The Police Chief 79 (May2012): 60–61) The questions included: Is crime going up? Do citizens feel safe in their communities? Are citizens satisfied with results when they call for service? Does the agency respond quickly in emergency situations? Does the agency rank favorably in the volume of crime reported, the proportion of cases solved, and the number of arrests made? Taking the City as a whole, the answers to these questions are obvious. If a letter grade were given, I'd give the Detroit Police Department an F, for failure. On the other hand, I'd give the Wayne State Police Department and its Chief Tony Holt, an A. To a large degree, the lack of crime in Midtown, where I live, is a result of effective policing by the Wayne State Police Department. I am a twenty-five year veteran of law enforcement (Detroit and Los Angeles Police Departments). I have seen first hand how good policing matters, and can make a huge difference in a short period of time. A contemporary example of how effective policing can quickly and dramatically impact the homicide rate comes from our nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. experienced a 42% drop in homicides in 3 years, going from 186 in 2008 to 108 in 2011. And that wasn't accomplished by a huge increase in the number of officers on the so-called street. Unfortunately, based on its past history, I have no confidence that the Detroit Police Department is willing or even capable of having a significant impact on crime. Authorities should consider a merger of the DPD with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department. Perhaps an elected, and thereby accountable, Sheriff can make the difference. Policing on all state roads within the City, such as Woodward, Gratiot and Michigan Avenue could be turned over to the State Police. County Roads could be patrolled by the Sheriff's Department. And parks could be patrolled by the State's Department of Natural Resources. It's beyond time for some innovative aggressive action. We citizens deserve better policing, and a better Police Department. Thomas E. Page Law Enforcement Consultant Los Angeles Police Department, retired

Tax cuts needed

Published in the April 5, 2012 edition of the Detroit News.

Mayor Bing and most of our city's elected leaders appear clueless about how to move the city forward once the current financial crisis is past. Fortunately, the soon-to-be-implemented council by districts structure will result in new employment opportunities for many of the current City Council members, employment opportunities that don't include the city of Detroit. Only then will our city government begin to be accountable. Yes, basic city services are severely lacking. Yet, many of us choose to move to Detroit (in my case, from Los Angeles), or to stay. Not for city services, but in spite of the lack of city services.
To encourage growth Detroit needs to remove the financial disincentives that discourage people from living and investing in our city. Major disincentives include the city's income tax, property tax rates, and automobile insurance rates that penalize city residents. Detroit should embark upon a five-year, step-by-step reduction of the income tax. At the end of five years, the tax would be eliminated. Additionally, the property tax should be pegged to the median of the tri-county area. This would help to make Detroit housing more attractive.
Thomas E. Page, Detroit

Raising City Taxes is counter-productive.

I sent the following letter in response to the mayor's suggestion that the cap on city income taxes should be lifted. The headline of the article was: Bing seeks state help to raise revenue for Detroit

Dear Editor:

Unfortunately, most of our City's elected leaders appearclueless about how to move the city forward once the current financialcrisis is past. Fortunately, the soon to be implemented Council byDistricts structure will result in new employment opportunities formany of current City Council members. Employment opportunities thatdon't include the City of Detroit.  Only then, will our Citygovernment begin to be accountable.

Yes, basic city services are severely lacking. Yet, many of us chooseto move to Detroit (in my case, from Los Angeles), or to stay. Not forcity services, but in spite of the lack of city services. To encouragegrowth Detroit needs to remove the financial disincentives that discourage people from living and investing in our City. Major disincentives include the City's income tax, property tax rates, and automobile insurance rates that penalize city residents. Detroit should embark upon a five year step-by-stepreduction of the income tax. At the end of five years, the tax wouldbe eliminated. Additionally, the property tax should be pegged to themedian of the tri-county area. This would help to make Detroit housingmore attractive to residents, current and prospective. Cutting the taxrates, although painful in the very short term, would result in anincreased tax base. Raising the city's income tax now is not only short-sighted, but disastrous in the long-run. 
Thomas E. Page

Letter on crime sent to Detroit Free Press, March 5, 2012

Dear Editor:

There certainly are many dedicated, hardworking, ethical and professional police officers in the ranks of the Detroit Police Department. I've met many of them. The Detroit Police Department as a whole, however, has shown that it is incapable of effectively combating the embarrassingly and consistently high crime rate, including murder. As Stephen Henderson wrote in his March 4, 2012 editorial, "Violence, fear, distrust - and leadership too weak to break the cycle," "decisive and targeted" policing in Baltimore has resulted in its lowest murder total in 30 years. In Los Angeles, homicides have declined from approximately 1,000 annually twenty years ago to 300 today, less than Detroit. And Los Angeles has five times as many people, with fewer officers per capita. Quick police response to 911 calls is only a small part of the solution. It's better on many levels to stop crime before the call to 911, before the shooting, before the mugging. 

Stopping major crimes before they occur requires patrol officer-initiated investigations, including aggressive traffic enforcement. After all, most criminals drive to and from their crimes, often in stolen, unregistered, or uninsured vehicles. The best way to increase the visibility of the police - and increase the fear of getting caught - is through traffic enforcement.  The "Broken Windows" theory of neighborhood decline emphasizes that by enforcing the laws on the so-called minor crimes, big effects follow. The old ways of doing business haven't worked for the Detroit Police Department in many years. We demand better.  

Thomas E. Page

Hell is other people designee - M.I.A.

During yesterday's (February 5, 2012) Super Bowl halftime show, British recording artist M.I.A. made a middle-finger obscene gesture directly to the camera. How classy. This game, between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, had the biggest audience in U.S. television history.  If I had my way, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)  would revoke M.I.A.'s U.S. travel rights. Certainly, M.I.A. is deserving of the "Hell is other people" designation.

Detroit Crime Letter, Detroit Free Press, January 11, 2011

Cut crime with better use of police

In order to put more officers on the street, Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee Jr. plans to establish “virtual precincts” that will provide limited service during specified hours. How this is going to combat our city’s embarrassingly intractable high crime rate is beyond me.

I’d like the chief to explain why other cities with fewer police officers per capita have had great success in cutting their crime rates. Why, for example, does Los Angeles now have fewer crimes than it did in 1957? Why has Los Angeles, with 4 million people, been able to reduce its murders from 1,000 per year in the early 1990s to fewer than 300 homicides per year today? That’s fewer than in Detroit, a city of 700,000.

   
Putting “more cops on the street” is meaningless unless the police are actually doing something.

   
Unfortunately, I have little confidence in the Detroit Police Department to actually make a dent in the crime rate. And this is in spite of many excellent, ethical and motivated officers. It’s time to bring in someone from the outside to implement effective policing.

Thomas E. Page Retired, Los Angeles Police

Department Law enforcement consultant 


Detroit