The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) hosted its first Small Business Series focused on Downtown safety. This event brought together local businesses including hotels, restaurants, and retail shops that are based in Downtown Detroit to hear from DDP leaders and partners, including the Detroit Police Department.
DDP’s Small Business Focus
At the start of 2025, DDP launched and expanded its small business support program following a series of listening sessions in late 2024. These sessions allowed business owners to share their needs and concerns, many of which were centered around safety and security, among other topics. The team of four DDP staff continue to listen to the small business community to ensure they know DDP is here to support and provide the unique resources needed to grow and strengthen Downtown’s small business ecosystem.
Detroit Police Department (DPD) Insights
The Detroit Police Department Crime Intelligence Unit highlighted an overall decrease in crime Downtown and the successful and safe execution of large-scale events. They also presented a timeline of the following crime intelligence advancements:
- Project Green Light began in 2017 with 100 locations and has expanded to over 900 locations today.
- The implementation of ShotSpotter technology in 2021 to detect and respond to gunfire incidents.
- The shift away from a model of simply moving along the unsheltered population, to focusing on providing necessary resources and support.
- Detroit Police Department Contacts
- Commander Matthew Fulgenzi
- Phone: (313) 500-5299
- Email: [email protected]
- Captain Nathan Duda
- Phone: (313) 500-5299
- Email: [email protected]
- Commander Matthew Fulgenzi
Addressing the Unsheltered Population
Small Business Series attendees were then introduced to the Unsheltered Population Response Team, which operates seven days a week. The team connects individuals with shelter, mental health, dental, and other services while also distributing hygiene kits and resource guides, making daily checks in parking structures, garages, and other spaces where people in need might look for shelter.
The team shared the following public hotlines:
- Unsheltered Resource Team: 866-313-2520
- A team will come out to provide long- and short-term resources, clothes, food, shelter, etc.
- General Hotline: 313-300-6906
- This line is for more urgent matters that need immediate de-escalation for an unhoused person who may be acting out or causing a public disruption.
- Sargeant William O’Brien
- Cellphone: (313) 900-7204
- Email: [email protected]
Fire Safety
- Business owners are encouraged to proactively schedule their annual fire inspections with the Detroit Fire Department by calling (313) 596-2954. You can also visit Fire Marshal | City of Detroit for more details.
- Detroit Fire Department Contact
- Fire Marshal Don Thomas
- Phone: (313) 596-2954
- Email: [email protected]
- Fire Marshal Don Thomas
Neighborhood Policing
- The Neighborhood Police Team was introduced as a day-to-day support system for businesses. Businesses are encouraged to reach out to them as a first point of contact for safety concerns.
- Looking ahead to the upcoming warmer months, the Fire Marshall’s recommendations included monitoring and adhering to capacity limits, ensuring cooking equipment is up to code, keeping fire extinguishers updated, and clearly marking exits.
- Upcoming Permit Process Meeting: April 10, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM. More details will be available on the DDP’s Small Business Support webpage.
- DPD Neighborhood Police Officer Contacts:
- Sargeant Denise Wallet
- Phone: 313-600-8280
- Email: [email protected]
- NPO Steven Engebretson
- Phone: 313-643-0381
- Email: [email protected]
- NPO Jason Briggs
- Phone: 313-500-2099
- Email: [email protected]
- NPO Darrin Nevels
- Phone: 313-500-2099
- Email: [email protected]
- Sargeant Denise Wallet
Project LighthouseTM & Safety Ambassador Programs
- DDP Chief Security Officer Mike Bruggeman detailed how DDP collaborates with safety partners to prepare for major events. He cited the NFL Draft as a recent success and noted ongoing preparations for safety and security at Opening Day and the Detroit Grand Prix.
- Project Lighthouse™, owned and trademarked by DDP, has been recognized by the Department of Homeland Security as a best practice. Participating businesses display a window cling, indicating they provide public access to a phone for emergency support and access to a public restroom. Attendees were encouraged to participate in the program.
- Liberty Security manages park security for DDP, while DDP’s Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) provides two safety Ambassadors to serve outside park areas.
- Project Lighthouse TM Contact:
- DDP Chief Safety & Security Officer – Michael A. Bruggeman, CPP
- Phone: (313) 314-6474
- Email: [email protected]
- DDP Chief Safety & Security Officer – Michael A. Bruggeman, CPP
Key Takeaways for Businesses
- Businesses are encouraged to participate in Project LighthouseTM and Project Green Light.
- NPO’s are available to the community on a day-to-day basis and businesses are encouraged to reach out to them as the first point of contact for safety concerns.
- Unsheltered Population Response Team is available 24/7 by phone at the Resource Line: 866-313-2520 for long term support or General Hotline: 313-300-6906 for matters that need immediate de-escalation.
- Business owners are encouraged to proactively schedule their annual fire inspections with the Detroit Fire Department by calling (313) 596-2954.
- To help deter illegal activity, businesses are encouraged to maintain alleyways that are clean, well-lit, and free of clutter—minimizing opportunities for privacy or loitering. A clean alley is a safer alley.
DDP thanks all attendees for participating in this critical discussion and encourages small business owners to stay engaged and informed by following the DDP website and DDP on social media @DowntownDet.
