By Mike A. Bruggeman, CPP
Chief Safety & Security Officer, DDP
When I was first asked to write this blog on safety measures as we head into the busy summer months, most Detroiters had never heard of “teen takeovers,” let alone experienced one. They had occurred in other major Downtowns, such as Atlanta and Chicago, but the phenomenon had not reached Detroit.
It has now.
If you’re not familiar, a teen takeover is a large group of teens that descends en masse at a designated spot shared via social media. Unlike those engaging, choreographed flash mobs that show up in your reels and on TikTok, these are disruptive and chaotic, resulting in ticketing and arrests, and, frightening patrons and residents, sometimes causing restaurants and other businesses to close early.
Detroit’s first Teen Takeover happened in early April.
In short order, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield and Police Chief Todd Bettison outlined a multifaceted plan not just to address the takeovers themselves but also the underlying factors that could contribute to youth participation in these events. The DDP has been proactively communicating the plan with its stakeholders – particularly our Downtown businesses – so they have the latest information at their fingertips to share with patrons and employees.
The good news is that Detroit has one of the strongest public/private safety partnerships in the country, and we are addressing this as we do all public safety efforts. Cities, place management organizations and professionals, chambers of commerce, and others look to Detroit and the DDP as leaders in Downtown safety initiatives and collaboration strategies. In fact, just last month, I joined safety leaders from around North America in San Antonio to share our work on Project Lighthouse® and the DDP’s approach to public safety as a coordinated, data-informed operation. Detroit Safety Committee members regularly share timely, pertinent information on crime patterns, best practices, and industry innovations.
Like any other business or industry, public safety is always changing. On the one hand, we have new tools to deter and prevent crime; on the other hand, we have creative criminals who devise new ways to challenge us.
Still, there are tried-and-true reminders for anyone visiting Downtown Detroit or any major Downtown anywhere in the world.
What can /should you do?
- Know exactly where you are going, and if you are walking, try to walk in pairs or groups.
- Park in well-lit lots, try to keep to well-lit areas. If you see unlit businesses or faulty lights, inform a Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone Ambassador or send a note to the Public Lighting Authority when you get home.
- Know where the closest Project Lighthouse partner is to where you’re going.
- If you see something, say something. If you see a social media post that could cause trouble, tell a parent, supervisor, or police officer.
- Stay alert. Don’t look at your phone while you’re walking.
- Always trust your gut. If a situation looks, smells, or feels uncomfortable — leave immediately.
Is it important to remember that safety is not solely the responsibility of the city and its police department. Safety is everyone’s concern and everyone’s responsibility.
For our part, the DDP will continue to offer more than 1,200 free events for all ages; increase BIZ Ambassador presence, particularly during large-scale events like the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear; communicate regularly with stakeholders; and remain in close communication with City leaders. We’ll also be announcing a new program with a local nonprofit for city youth.
Your part is to keep enjoying all our city has to offer.
We just came off an incident-free weekend with more than 4,000 out-of-town guests in Downtown Detroit for a national conference. These people chose to come to Detroit, and we anticipate thousands more over the summer months.
Detroit has come a long way. Those who live and work Downtown, those coming Downtown for dinner, a play, a sporting event, or simply taking a walk through Campus Martius Park, you are contributing to the city’s economic and social impact.
Let’s keep making that happen in Detroit.
Mike Bruggeman, CPP is chief safety & security officer for the Downtown Detroit Partnership. He works closely with the City of Detroit, local law enforcement agencies, and key partners throughout the city and region to execute an overall safety strategy for DDP. He is the co-founder of nationally recognized Downtown neighborhood watch program, Project Lighthouse® and founder and president of Titan Group USA, a boutique security advisor firm.
